N.Y. Lien Law Section 18
Duration of lien under contract for a public improvement

If the lien is for labor done or materials furnished for a public improvement, it shall not continue for a longer period than one year from the time of filing the notice of such lien, unless an action is commenced to foreclose such lien within that time, and a notice of the pendency of such action is filed with the comptroller of the state or the financial officer of the public corporation with whom the notice of such lien was filed; or unless an extension to such lien is filed with the comptroller of the state or the financial officer of the public corporation with whom the notice of such lien was filed within one year from the filing of the original notice of lien, continuing such lien and such lien shall be redocketed as of the date of filing such extension. Such extension shall contain the names of the lienor and the contractor or subcontractor for whom the labor was performed or materials furnished, a description of the public improvement upon which the labor was performed and materials expended, the amount of such lien, and the date of the filing of the notice of lien. No lien shall be continued by such extension for more than one year from the filing thereof. In the event an action is not commenced to foreclose the lien within such extended period, such lien shall be extinguished unless an order be granted by a court of record or a judge or justice thereof, continuing such lien, and a new docket be made stating such fact. No lien shall be continued by such order for more than one year from the granting thereof, but a new order and entry may be made in each of two successive years. If a lienor be made a party defendant in an action to enforce another lien, and the plaintiff or such defendant has filed a notice of the pendency of the action within the time prescribed in this section, the lien of such defendant is thereby continued. The provision of this section in regard to continuing liens shall apply to liens discharged by deposit or by order on the filing of an undertaking. This section is hereby declared to be a remedial statute and is to be construed liberally to secure the beneficial interests and purposes thereof.

Source: Section 18 — Duration of lien under contract for a public improvement, https://www.­nysenate.­gov/legislation/laws/LIE/18 (updated Sep. 22, 2014; accessed Oct. 25, 2025).

3
Mechanic’s lien on real property 4
Extent of lien 4–A
Insurance proceeds liable for demands 5
Liens under contracts for public improvements 6
Liens for labor on railroads 7
Liability for advance payments, collusive mortgages and incumbrances 8
Terms of contract may be demanded 9
Contents of notice of lien 10
Filing of notice of lien 11
Service of copy of notice of lien 11–A
Notice of completion and acceptance may be demanded 11–B
Copy of notice of lien to a contractor or subcontractor 11–C
Copy of notice of lien to a contractor or subcontractor with respect to public improvements liens 12
Notice of lien on account of public improvements 12–A
Amendment 13
Priority of liens 14
Assignment of lien 15
Assignments of contracts and orders to be filed 16
Assignment of contracts and orders for public improvement to be filed 17
Duration of lien 18
Duration of lien under contract for a public improvement 19
Discharge of lien for private improvement 20
Discharge of lien after notice of lien filed by payment of money into court 21
Discharge of lien for public improvement 21–A
Vacating lien for a public improvement, by order of court 22
Building loan contract 23
Construction of article 24
Enforcement of mechanic’s lien 25
Priority of liens and assignments under contracts for public improvements 26
Subordination of liens after agreement with owner 28
Lien of certain judgments postponed 29
Subordination of liens to subsequent mortgage 30
Subordination of notices of lis pendens 31
Discharge of liens on sale of real property 32
Certain liens and claims not to be affected 33
Certain sections not to apply to laborers’ liens 34
Waiver of lien 35
Waiver of arbitration 37
Bond to discharge all liens 38
Itemized statement may be required of lienor 39
Lien wilfully exaggerated is void 39–A
Liability of lienor where lien has been declared void on account of wilful exaggeration 39–C
Repossession of materials not used
Green check means up to date. Up to date

Verified:
Oct. 25, 2025

Last modified:
Sep. 22, 2014

§ 18. Duration of lien under contract for a public improvement's source at nysenate​.gov

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