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HomeCivil CodeDiv. 4Pt. 6Ch. 5Art. 2§ 8520 Stop Payment Notice Requirements

§ 8520 Stop Payment Notice Requirements

Civil Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 8520 Stop Payment Notice Requirements

Key Takeaways

  • •If someone has a right to a lien (like a worker or supplier who wasn't paid), they can tell the owner to stop paying the main contractor.
  • •The owner can also ask them to send this stop payment notice. If they don’t, they lose their right to a lien.
  • •This is about making sure people who are owed money get a chance to be paid before the money runs out.

Example

A plumber fixes pipes in a new house but doesn’t get paid by the builder.

The plumber can send a stop payment notice to the house owner, telling them not to pay the builder until the plumber gets their money. If the owner asks for this notice and the plumber doesn’t send it, the plumber can’t put a lien on the house later.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 8520 Stop Payment Notice Requirements

(a) A person that has a lien right under Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 8400), other than a direct contractor, may give the owner a stop payment notice. (b) The owner may give notice, in compliance with the requirements of Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 8100) of Title 1, demanding that a person that has a lien right under Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 8400) give the owner a stop payment notice. If the person fails to give the owner a bonded or unbonded stop payment notice, the person forfeits the right to a lien under Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 8400). (Added by Stats. 2010, Ch. 697, Sec. 20. (SB 189) Effective January 1, 2011. Operative July 1, 2012, by Sec. 105 of Ch. 697 and by Section 8052.)

Last verified: January 21, 2026

Key Terms

lien rightstop payment noticedirect contractorChapter 4Chapter 2Title 1

Related Statutes

  • § 8522 Owner Stop Payment Obligations
  • § 8530 Lienholder Stop Payment Notice
  • § 8542 Stop Payment Notice Limits
  • § 9552 Payment Bond Claim Requirements
  • § 9562 Notice Requirements For Bonds

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Civil Code. Section 8520.
View Official Source