ARTICLE 1. General Provisions [8500. - 8510.]

Cal. Civil Code - CIV 1.

in effect

Cal. Civil Code - CIV § 8500. Section 8500.

The rights of all persons furnishing work for any work of improvement, with respect to any fund for payment of construction costs, are governed exclusively by this chapter, and no person may assert any legal or equitable right with respect to the fund, other than a right created by a written contract between that person and the person holding the fund, except pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.

Cal. Civil Code - CIV § 8502. Section 8502.

(a) A stop payment notice shall comply with the requirements of Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 8100) of Title 1, and shall be signed and verified by the claimant. (b) The notice shall include a general description of work to be provided, and an estimate of the total amount in value of the work to be provided. (c) The amount claimed in the notice may include only the amount due the claimant for work provided through the date of the notice.

Cal. Civil Code - CIV § 8504. Section 8504.

A claimant that willfully gives a false stop payment notice or that willfully includes in the notice a demand to withhold for work that has not been provided forfeits all right to participate in the distribution of the funds withheld and all right to a lien under Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 8400).

Cal. Civil Code - CIV § 8506. Section 8506.

(a) A stop payment notice to an owner shall be given to the owner or to the owner’s architect, if any. (b) A stop payment notice to a construction lender holding construction funds shall not be effective unless given to the manager or other responsible officer or person at the office or branch of the lender administering or holding the construction funds. (c) A stop payment notice shall comply with the requirements of Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 8100) of Title 1.

Cal. Civil Code - CIV § 8508. Section 8508.

A stop payment notice is not valid unless both of the following conditions are satisfied: (a) The claimant gave preliminary notice to the extent required by Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 8200). (b) The claimant gave the stop payment notice before expiration of the time within which a claim of lien must be recorded under Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 8400).

Cal. Civil Code - CIV § 8510. Section 8510.

(a) A person may obtain release of funds withheld pursuant to a stop payment notice by giving the person withholding the funds a release bond. (b) A release bond shall be given by an admitted surety insurer and shall be conditioned for payment of any amount not exceeding the penal obligation of the bond that the claimant recovers on the claim, together with costs of suit awarded in the action. The bond shall be in an amount equal to 125 percent of the amount claimed in the stop payment notice. (c) On receipt of a release bond, the person withholding funds pursuant to the stop payment notice shall release them.

Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026