ARTICLE 4. Enforcement of Payment of Claim Stated in Stop Payment Notice [9500. - 9510.]

Cal. Civil Code - CIV 4.

in effect

Cal. Civil Code - CIV § 9500. Section 9500.

(a) A claimant may not enforce payment of the claim stated in a stop payment notice unless the claimant has complied with all of the following conditions: (1) The claimant has given preliminary notice to the extent required by Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 9300). (2) The claimant has given the stop payment notice within the time provided in Section 9356. (b) The claim filing procedures of Part 3 (commencing with Section 900) of Division 3.6 of Title 1 of the Government Code do not apply to an action under this article.

Cal. Civil Code - CIV § 9502. Section 9502.

(a) The claimant shall commence an action against the public entity and the direct contractor to enforce payment of the claim stated in a stop payment notice at any time after 10 days from the date the claimant gives the stop payment notice. (b) The claimant shall commence an action against the public entity and the direct contractor to enforce payment of the claim stated in a stop payment notice not later than 90 days after expiration of the time within which a stop payment notice must be given. (c) An action under this section may not be brought to trial or judgment entered before expiration of the time provided in subdivision (b). (d) If a claimant does not commence an action to enforce payment of the claim stated in a stop payment notice within the time provided in subdivision (b), the notice ceases to be effective and the public entity shall release funds withheld pursuant to the notice.

Cal. Civil Code - CIV § 9504. Section 9504.

Within five days after commencement of an action to enforce payment of the claim stated in a stop payment notice, the claimant shall give notice of commencement of the action to the public entity in the same manner that a stop payment notice is given.

Cal. Civil Code - CIV § 9506. Section 9506.

If more than one claimant has given a stop payment notice: (a) Any number of claimants may join in the same enforcement action. (b) If claimants commence separate actions, the court that first acquires jurisdiction may order the actions consolidated. (c) On request of the public entity, the court shall require that all claimants be impleaded in one action and shall adjudicate the rights of all parties in the action.

Cal. Civil Code - CIV § 9508. Section 9508.

Notwithstanding Section 583.420 of the Code of Civil Procedure, if an action to enforce payment of the claim stated in a stop payment notice is not brought to trial within two years after commencement of the action, the court may in its discretion dismiss the action for want of prosecution.

Cal. Civil Code - CIV § 9510. Section 9510.

A stop payment notice ceases to be effective, and the public entity shall release funds withheld, in either of the following circumstances: (a) An action to enforce payment of the claim stated in the stop payment notice is dismissed, unless expressly stated to be without prejudice. (b) Judgment in an action to enforce payment of the claim stated in the stop payment notice is against the claimant.

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