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HomeCivil CodeDiv. 4Pt. 6Ch. 5Art. 3§ 8536 Construction Lender Payment Withholding

§ 8536 Construction Lender Payment Withholding

Civil Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 8536 Construction Lender Payment Withholding

Key Takeaways

  • •If someone says they weren't paid for work on a building, the bank must hold back money from the builder to pay them.
  • •The bank doesn't have to hold back money if the person who wasn't paid didn't promise to cover costs with a bond.
  • •The bank also doesn't have to hold back money if the person who wasn't paid isn't the main contractor and the builder already has a payment promise (bond) in place.

Example

A plumber works on a new house but doesn't get paid. They tell the bank that gave the builder the loan.

The bank must hold back money from the builder to pay the plumber, unless the plumber didn't promise to cover costs or the builder already has a payment promise in place.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 8536 Construction Lender Payment Withholding

(a) Except as provided in subdivision (b), on receipt of a stop payment notice a construction lender shall withhold from the borrower or other person to whom the lender or the owner is obligated to make payments or advancement out of the construction fund sufficient funds to pay the claim stated in the notice. (b) The construction lender may, at its option, elect not to withhold funds in any of the following circumstances: (1) The stop payment notice is unbonded. (2) The stop payment notice is given by a claimant other than a direct contractor, and a payment bond is recorded before the lender is given any stop payment notice. (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

stop payment noticeconstruction lenderwithhold fundsunbondedpayment bond

Related Statutes

  • § 8538 Claimant Notice Of Election
  • § 8530 Lienholder Stop Payment Notice
  • § 8532 Stop Payment Notice Bond
  • § 8506 Stop Payment Notice Requirements
  • § 8522 Owner Stop Payment Obligations

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Civil Code. Section 8536.
View Official Source