Lehigh County, Pennsylvania — Mechanics Lien Filing Guide

Everything you need to know about filing a mechanics lien in Lehigh County under Pennsylvania law — deadlines, notice requirements, and step-by-step process.

Preliminary Notice

Not required

Lien Filing Deadline

6 months

Enforcement Period

2 years

Notice Category

Preliminary

Mechanics Lien Requirements in Lehigh County

If you've provided labor, materials, or services for a construction project in Lehigh County,Pennsylvania, and haven't been paid, you have the legal right to file a mechanics lien. This applies whether you're a general contractor, subcontractor, plumber, electrician, roofer, material supplier, or any other construction professional working in Lehigh County.

All construction projects in Lehigh County are governed by Pennsylvania state law (49 P.S. §§ 1101 et seq.). There isn't a separate Lehigh County lien law — the state rules apply uniformly. However, when you file the lien paperwork, you file it at the Lehigh County Recorder's office (or equivalent filing office).

Important: To keep your lien rights active on a Lehigh County project,Pennsylvania requires you to send the “Notice of Furnishing” within 45 days of starting work or delivering materials. This is a standard compliance step — not confrontational — and it keeps all your options open.

Once you file your mechanics lien in Lehigh County, the property owner can't easily sell or refinance the property until your claim is resolved. You then have 2 years to file a lawsuit to enforce the lien if the owner still doesn't pay. Most disputes are resolved through payment or negotiation after the lien is filed.

Who Must Receive Notice for Lehigh County Projects?

Your RoleMust Notify
General ContractorNo notice required
SubcontractorProperty Owner
Material SupplierProperty Owner
LaborerProperty Owner
Equipment Rental CompanyProperty Owner
Architect / Engineer / SurveyorProperty Owner

Who Can File a Mechanics Lien in Lehigh County?

Nearly anyone who contributes to a construction project in Lehigh County can file a lien if they're not paid. This includes general contractors, subcontractors (electricians, plumbers, roofers, etc.), material suppliers, equipment rental companies, laborers, architects and engineers, and surveyors. You don't need a direct contract with the property owner — even if you're several layers down the payment chain, Pennsylvania law protects your right to get paid for work done in Lehigh County.

How a Mechanics Lien Protects You

A mechanics lien puts a legal claim on the Lehigh County property you improved — the owner can't easily sell or refinance until your payment is resolved. In most cases, filing the lien is enough to get paid without going to court. To keep this option available, make sure your notices and deadlines are handled on time.

Accepted Delivery Methods

Pennsylvania accepts these methods for delivering notices on Lehigh County projects:

Certified Mail (with return receipt)Personal Delivery (hand-delivered)

Key Rules for Lehigh County

If Notice of Commencement filed (projects $1.5M+), Notice of Furnishing within 45 days

Failure to file Notice of Furnishing forfeits lien rights

Notice of intent to file lien: at least 30 days before filing

Serve notice of filing on owner within 1 month of filing

Affidavit of service within 20 days of service

Filing Deadlines for Lehigh County

Lien Filing Deadline

6 months

From completion of work

Enforcement Deadline

2 years

To file foreclosure action after recording the lien

Official Pennsylvania Resources

These are official state government websites where you can look up statutes, verify contractor licenses, and search business registrations.

State Legislature

Look up Pennsylvania lien statutes and laws

Pennsylvania General Assembly

Contractor Licensing

Verify licenses and check requirements

Pennsylvania Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs

Secretary of State

Business entity search and registration

Pennsylvania Department of State

File a Mechanics Lien in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania

LienGrid handles the entire lien filing process in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania — from required notices to the filing itself. State-compliant documents, certified mail delivery, and deadline tracking, all in one platform.

Start Free — File NowSee How It Works

Lehigh County Mechanics Lien FAQ

Common questions about filing a mechanics lien in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania.

Filing a mechanics lien in Lehigh County follows Pennsylvania state law (49 P.S. §§ 1101 et seq.). Here's the basic process: First, you need to have sent the required "Notice of Furnishing" to the proper parties. Then, prepare your lien document with your name, the property address, a description of work done, and the amount owed. File it at the Lehigh County Recorder's office (or equivalent filing office) — there's usually a small recording fee. After filing, send a copy to the property owner. You have 6 months from completion of work to file. File within this window to keep your lien rights protected.
Yes. Pennsylvania requires a "Notice of Furnishing" for construction projects, including those in Lehigh County. You must send it within 45 days of when you first start working or delivering materials to the project. This notice goes to specific parties (like the property owner and general contractor) and protects your right to file a lien later if you're not paid. Sending it on time keeps your lien rights active and gives you full protection if payment issues come up later.
For projects in Lehigh County, you have 6 months from completion of work to file your mechanics lien. This is a hard deadline set by Pennsylvania state law — not a Lehigh County rule specifically. File within this window to keep your lien rights protected on that project. After filing, you have 2 years to file a lawsuit to enforce the lien if the owner still doesn't pay.
You file your mechanics lien at the Lehigh County Recorder's office (sometimes called the Register of Deeds or Clerk's office, depending on the county). This is the office that handles all real property records for Lehigh County. You'll need to bring your completed lien document and pay a recording fee. Some counties also accept electronic filings. The lien requirements come from Pennsylvania state law (49 P.S. §§ 1101 et seq.), but the actual filing happens at the county level.
For Lehigh County construction projects, Pennsylvania law accepts these delivery methods: Certified Mail, Personal Delivery. The delivery method matters — using a method that isn't on the approved list could make your notice invalid even if the other party received it. Always keep proof of delivery (receipts, tracking numbers) in your project file.
Almost anyone who provides labor, materials, or services for a construction project in Lehigh County can file a mechanics lien if they're not paid. This includes general contractors, subcontractors (electricians, plumbers, roofers, etc.), material suppliers, equipment rental companies, architects, engineers, and laborers. Even if you don't have a direct contract with the property owner, Pennsylvania law typically allows you to file a lien to protect your right to payment.
Yes — LienGrid automates the entire mechanics lien process for Lehigh County and all of Pennsylvania. The platform tracks your deadlines, generates compliant notices with the correct Pennsylvania statutory language, identifies required recipients, and can send notices via approved delivery methods on your behalf. Instead of manually tracking dates and managing compliance on your Lehigh County project, LienGrid handles it all. Start a free trial to see how it works.

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Content reviewed by LienGrid's compliance team|Last reviewed: March 2026

This information is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. Pennsylvania laws change frequently — always verify current requirements and consult a licensed attorney in the relevant jurisdiction before taking legal action. LienGrid makes every effort to keep this information accurate, but we cannot guarantee completeness or currency.