Public Works Payment Remedies and Prompt-Payment Rules

Public jobs change the payment game: you can't lien government property, so the law gives you a different set of tools — plus strict prompt-payment deadlines.

1. No mechanics lien on public property

You cannot record a mechanics lien against public (government-owned) property. Instead, on public works your remedies are:

• a claim against the direct contractor's payment bond, and/or
• a stop payment notice to the public entity holding the funds.

2. The public works payment bond (§9550)

A direct contractor awarded a public works contract over $25,000 must give a payment bond before starting work. (Civil Code §9550)

• The bond must be at least 100% of the contract amount.
• It guarantees that subs, laborers, and suppliers get paid — it's their main security in place of a lien.
• A claimant who was required to give the 20-day preliminary notice must still have served it to preserve a bond claim.