Who the deadlines apply to
Maryland sets its mechanics lien timetable in Md. Code, Real Prop. §§ 9-101 to 9-114. Two of its stages, the lien filing and the deadline to sue, are each a single rule listed for direct contractors, subcontractors, sub-subcontractors, suppliers and laborers on any project type [3] [4].
The notice stage is split by role. Section 9-101(g) defines a subcontractor as anyone with a contract with someone other than the owner or the owner's agent [2]. The notice rule names subcontractors, sub-subcontractors, suppliers and laborers [1]. For the direct contractor, the same stage reads None required [1].
How the periods run
Notice of an intention to claim a lien. Section 9-104 calls its notice a written notice of an intention to claim a lien, and the page lists it as the preliminary notice. Its period is 120 days after doing the work or furnishing the materials [1]. For a building other than a single family dwelling being erected on the owner's land for the owner's own residence, § 9-104(a)(1) states that a subcontractor has no lien under this subtitle unless it gives this notice within that time [1]. The rows under the table name who receives it and the ways it may be delivered.
Establishing the lien. In Maryland the lien filing stage is a court step. A person claiming a lien files proceedings in the circuit court to establish it, and § 9-105(a) sets the period at 180 days after the work has been finished or the materials furnished [3].
Enforcement. The last clock starts with a court filing too. Section 9-109 sets the time to enforce an established lien at 1 year after the petition to establish the lien is first filed [4]. The same section also states that if a petition to enforce the lien is filed within the one-year period, the lien stays in full force until the enforcement proceedings conclude, and after that only in accordance with the decree [4]. The calculator counts this date from the date entered for the first filing of the petition to establish the lien.
How residential work is treated
Every rule on this page is listed for any project type. Section 9-104 adds one set of terms for a single family dwelling being erected on the owner's land for the owner's own residence [1]. For that dwelling, a subcontractor has no lien unless two things are true: it gives the notice within the period § 9-104(a)(2) sets, and the owner has not made full payment to the contractor before receiving the notice [1]. Under § 9-104(f)(3), the subcontractor's lien against that dwelling cannot exceed what the owner owes under the contract when the notice is given [1].
Counting the days
Md. Code, Gen. Prov. § 1-302(a) leaves out the day of the act or event that starts a period, and § 1-302(b) includes the last day [5]. A last day that is a Sunday or a legal holiday is not counted, and the period runs to the end of the next day that is neither; this moving rule reaches every stage on this page [5].
A second clause covers filings in court. When the act is the filing of a paper in court and the clerk's office is not open on the last day, or is closed for part of it, the period runs to the end of the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday and on which that office is open the entire day during ordinary business hours [5].
Section 1-111(a) defines a legal holiday for the Code [6]. Unless the Code expressly provides otherwise, § 1-111(b) observes a legal holiday on its listed date, or on the next Monday when that date falls on a Sunday [6].