§ 8609 Payment Bond Time Limits

Civil Code·California

AI SummaryVerified

Key Takeaways

•If you work on a building or project, you have time to ask for money if you weren't paid.
•The boss can't make a rule that gives you less than 6 months to ask for your money after the work is done.
•If the boss makes a money promise (like a bond) but doesn't write it down before starting the work, you still get your full time to ask for payment.

Example

You helped build a house and finished 5 months ago, but the boss didn't pay you.

Even if the boss says you only have 3 months to ask for your money, the law says you actually have 6 months. So you can still ask for your money now.

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

Official Source

View on CA.gov

§ 8609 Payment Bond Time Limits

Any provision in a payment bond attempting by contract to shorten the period prescribed in Section 337 of the Code of Civil Procedure for the commencement of an action on the bond shall not be valid under either of the following circumstances: (a) If the provision attempts to limit the time for commencement of an action on the bond to a shorter period than six months from the completion of any work of improvement. (b) As applied to any action brought by a claimant, unless the bond is recorded before the work of improvement is commenced. (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

payment bond work of improvement six months recorded

References

Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
California Legislature. Civil Code. Section 8609.

§ 8609 Payment Bond Time Limits

Civil Code·California

AI SummaryVerified

§ 8609 Payment Bond Time Limits

Key Takeaways

•If you work on a building or project, you have time to ask for money if you weren't paid.
•The boss can't make a rule that gives you less than 6 months to ask for your money after the work is done.
•If the boss makes a money promise (like a bond) but doesn't write it down before starting the work, you still get your full time to ask for payment.

Example

You helped build a house and finished 5 months ago, but the boss didn't pay you.

Even if the boss says you only have 3 months to ask for your money, the law says you actually have 6 months. So you can still ask for your money now.

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

Official Source

View on CA.gov

§ 8609 Payment Bond Time Limits

Last verified: January 21, 2026

Key Terms

payment bond work of improvement six months recorded

References

Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
California Legislature. Civil Code. Section 8609.

Key Takeaways

Example

Key Terms

Related Statutes

References

Key Takeaways

Example

Key Terms

Related Statutes

References