California Prompt Payment Laws for Progress and Retention Payments on Private and Public Works Construction Projects

• Payment to Contractor by Owner w/in 30 days of request for payment.
• Payment to Subcontractor w/in 10 days of receipt of funds.
• Penalty 2% per Month
• Attorney Fees *
• Owner or Contractor may withhold 150% of disputed amount.

1. This section is applicable with respect to all contracts entered into on or after January 1, 1992, relating to the construction of any private work of improvement.

2. Except as otherwise agreed in writing, the owner shall pay to the contractor, within 30 days following receipt of a demand for payment in accordance with the contract, any progress payment due thereunder as to which there is no good faith dispute between the parties. In the event of a dispute between the owner and the contractor, the owner may withhold from the progress payment an amount not to exceed 150 percent of the disputed amount. If any amount is wrongfully withheld in violation of this subdivision, the contractor shall be entitled to the penalty specified in subdivision (g) of Section 3260.

3. Nothing in this section shall be deemed to supersede any requirement of Section 3260 respecting the withholding of retention proceeds.

* New Case Law Interprets Statute to Include Attorney’s Fees. “ These cases demonstrate the ambiguity of the use of the term "penalty" in section 3260.1, subdivision (b) in incorporating the dual remedies of section 3260, subdivision (g). This lends support to our determination that resort to the legislative history is necessary in order to determine whether the Legislature intended attorney fees to be available under section 3260.1, subdivision (b). As we have discussed, the legislative history of section 3260.1 demonstrates a legislative intent that both the monthly 2 percent charge and reasonable attorney fees are available to a party prevailing on an action under that statute. As the prevailing party, Hinerfeld was entitled to an award of fees under section 3260.1.” Hienrfeld-Ward, Inc. v. Lipian (2010) 188 Cal. App. 4^th 86, 102.

• Retention Released by Owner to Contractor w/in 45 days of Completion.
• Subcontractor Retention Released w/in 10 days of Receipt of Retention Payment
• Owner has 10 days upon request to accept or reject work.
• Penalty 2% per Month
• Attorney’s Fees
• Owner or Contractor May Withhold 150% of disputed amount

1. This section is applicable with respect to all contracts entered into on or after July 1, 1991, relating to the construction of any private work of improvement. However, the amendments made to this section during the 1992 portion of the 1991-92 Regular Session of the Legislature are applicable only with respect to contracts entered into on or after January 1, 1993, relating to the construction of any private work of improvement. Moreover, the amendments made to this section during the 1993 portion of the 1993-94 Regular Session of the Legislature are applicable only with respect to contracts entered into on or after January 1, 1994, relating to the construction of any private work of improvement.

2. The retention proceeds withheld from any payment by the owner from the original contractor, or by the original contractor from any subcontractor, shall be subject to this section.

3. Within 45 days after the date of completion, the retention withheld by the owner shall be released. "Date of completion," for purposes of this section, means any of the following:

   1. The date of issuance of any certificate of occupancy covering the work by the public agency

   2. issuing the building permit.

   3. The date of completion indicated on a valid notice of completion recorded pursuant to Section 3093.

   4. The date of completion as defined in Section 3086.

   5. However, release of retentions withheld for any portion of the work of improvement which ultimately will become the property of a public agency, may be conditioned upon the acceptance of the work by the public agency. In the event of a dispute between the owner and the original contractor, the owner may withhold from the final payment an amount not to exceed 150 percent of the disputed amount.

4. Subject to subdivision (e), within 10 days from the time that all or any portion of the retention proceeds are received by the original contractor, the original contractor shall pay each of its subcontractors from whom retention has been withheld, each subcontractor's share of the retention received. However, if a retention payment received by the original contractor is specifically designated for a particular subcontractor, payment of the retention shall be made to the designated subcontractor, if the payment is consistent with the terms of the subcontract.

5. If a bona fide dispute exists between a subcontractor and the original contractor, the original contractor may withhold from that subcontractor with whom the dispute exists its portion of the retention proceeds. The amount withheld from the retention payment shall not exceed 150 percent of the estimated value of the disputed amount.

6. Within 10 days of receipt of written notice by the owner from the original contractor or by the original contractor from the subcontractor, as the case may be, that any work in dispute has been completed in accordance with the terms of the contract, the

7. advise the notifying party of the acceptance or rejection of the disputed work. Within 10 days of acceptance of the disputed work, the owner or original contractor, as the case may be, shall release the retained portion of the retention proceeds.

8. In the event that retention payments are not made within the time periods required by this section, the owner or original contractor withholding the unpaid amounts shall be subject to a charge of 2 percent per month on the improperly withheld amount, in lieu of any interest otherwise due. Additionally, in any action for the collection of funds wrongfully withheld, the prevailing party shall be entitled to his or her attorney's fees and costs.

9. It shall be against public policy for any party to require any other party to waive any provision of this section.

10. This section shall not be construed to apply to retentions withheld by a lender in accordance with the construction loan agreement.

• Payment to Contractor by Owner w/in 30 days of request for payment. (May vary according to agency, ie California University System is 39 days).
• Payment to Subcontractor w/in 10 days of receipt of funds.
• Penalty 2% per Month
• Attorney Fees
• Owner or Contractor may withhold 150% of disputed amount.

1. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a prime contractor or subcontractor shall pay to any subcontractor, not later than 10 days of receipt of each progress payment, the respective amounts allowed the contractor on account of the work performed by the subcontractors, to the extent of each subcontractor's interest therein. In the event that there is a good faith dispute over all or any portion of the amount due on a progress payment from the prime contractor or subcontractor to a subcontractor, then the prime contractor or subcontractor may withhold no more than 150 percent of the disputed amount.

   Any contractor who violates this section shall pay to the subcontractor a penalty of 2 percent of the amount due per month for every month that payment is not made. In any action for the collection of funds wrongfully withheld, the prevailing party shall be entitled to his or her attorney's fees and costs.

2. This section shall not be construed to limit or impair any contractual, administrative, or judicial remedies otherwise available to a contractor or a subcontractor in the event of a dispute involving late payment or nonpayment by a contractor or deficient subcontract performance or nonperformance by a subcontractor.

3. On or before September 1 of each year, the head of each state agency shall submit to the Legislature a report on the number and dollar volume of written complaints received from subcontractors and prime contractors on contracts in excess of three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000), relating to violations of this section.

• Payment to Contractor by Owner w/in 60 days of Completion.
• Payment to Subcontractor w/in 7 days of receipt of funds.
• Penalty 2% per Month
• Attorney Fees
• Owner or Contractor may withhold 150% of disputed amount.

1. This section is applicable with respect to all contracts entered into on or after January 1, 1993, relating to the construction of any public work of improvement.

2. The retention proceeds withheld from any payment by the public entity from the original contractor, or by the original contractor from any subcontractor, shall be subject to this section.

3. Within 60 days after the date of completion of the work of improvement, the retention withheld by the public entity shall be released. In the event of a dispute between the public entity and the original contractor, the public entity may withhold from the final payment an amount not to exceed 150 percent of the disputed amount. For purposes of this subdivision, "completion" means any of the following:

   1. The occupation, beneficial use, and enjoyment of a work of improvement, excluding any operation only for testing, startup, or commissioning, by the public agency, or its agent, accompanied by cessation of labor on the work of improvement.

   2. The acceptance by the public agency, or its agent, of the work of improvement.

   3. After the commencement of a work of improvement, a cessation of labor on the work of improvement for a continuous period of 100 days or more, due to factors beyond the control of the contractor.

   4. After the commencement of a work of improvement, a cessation of labor on the work of improvement for a continuous period of 30 days or more, if the public agency files for record a notice of cessation or a notice of completion.

4. Subject to subdivision (e), within seven days from the time that all or any portion of the retention proceeds are received by the original contractor, the original contractor shall pay

5. share of the retention received. However, if a retention payment received by the original contractor is specifically designated for a particular subcontractor, payment of the retention shall be made to the designated subcontractor, if the payment is consistent with the terms of the subcontract.

6. The original contractor may withhold from a subcontractor its portion of the retention proceeds if a bona fide dispute exists between the subcontractor and the original contractor. The amount withheld from the retention payment shall not exceed 150 percent of the estimated value of the disputed amount.

7. In the event that retention payments are not made within the time periods required by this section, the public entity or original contractor withholding the unpaid amounts shall be subject to a charge of 2 percent per month on the improperly withheld amount, in lieu of any interest otherwise due. Additionally, in any action for the collection of funds wrongfully withheld, the prevailing party shall be entitled to attorney's fees and costs.

8. If a state agency retains an amount greater than 125 percent of the estimated value of the work yet to be completed pursuant to Section 10261, the state agency shall distribute undisputed retention proceeds in accordance with subdivision (c). However, notwithstanding subdivision (c), if a state agency retains an amount equal to or less than 125 percent of the estimated value of the work yet to be completed, the state agency shall have 90 days in which to release undisputed retentions.

9. Any attempted waiver of the provisions of this section shall be void as against the public policy of this state.

• Payment to Prime Contractor within 30 days of Receipt of Valid Pay Request
• Public Entity has 7 days to Dispute Validity of Pay Request
• Public Entity Shall Pay Interest at Legal Rate
• Check Public Entity Website for Municipal Codes or Ordinances Regarding Prompt Payment

1. 
   

   1. It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this section to require all local governments to pay their contractors on time so that these contractors can meet their own obligations. In requiring prompt payment by all local governments, the Legislature hereby finds and declares that the prompt payment of outstanding receipts is not merely a municipal affair, but is, instead, a matter of statewide concern.

   2. It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this article to fully occupy the field of public policy relating to the prompt payment of local governments' outstanding receipts. The Legislature finds and declares that all government officials, including those in local government, must set a standard of prompt payment that any business in the private sector which may contract for services should look towards for guidance.

2. Any local agency which fails to make any progress payment within 30 days after receipt of an undisputed and properly submitted payment request from a contractor on a construction contract shall pay interest to the contractor equivalent to the legal rate set forth in subdivision (a) of Section 685.010 of the Code of Civil Procedure.

3. Upon receipt of a payment request, each local agency shall act in accordance with both of the following:

   1. Each payment request shall be reviewed by the local agency as soon as practicable after receipt for the purpose of determining that the payment request is a proper payment request.

   2. Any payment request determined not to be a proper payment request suitable for payment shall be returned to the contractor as soon as practicable, but not later than seven days, after receipt. A request returned pursuant to this paragraph shall be accompanied by a document setting forth in writing the reasons why the payment request is not proper.

4. The number of days available to a local agency to make a payment without incurring interest pursuant to this section shall be reduced by the number of days by which a local agency exceeds the seven-day return requirement set forth in paragraph (2) of subdivision (c).

5. For purposes of this article:

   1. A "local agency" includes, but is not limited to, a city, including a charter city, a county, and a city and county, and is any public entity subject to this part.

   2. A "progress payment" includes all payments due contractors, except that portion of the final payment designated by the contract as retention earnings.

   3. A payment request shall be considered properly executed if funds are available for payment of the payment request, and payment is not delayed due to an audit inquiry by the financial officer of the local agency.

6. Each local agency shall require that this article, or a summary thereof, be set forth in the terms of any contract subject to this article.