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Contracts and standards / Washington State

Lien for Labor, Materials, Taxes on Public Works (retained percentage), chapter 60.28 RCW (Washington)

Act, published by Washington State Legislature, Chapter 60.28 RCW as published on app.leg.wa.gov on 2026-10-18 (latest session law in the chapter 2017 c 302 s 1, amending RCW 60.28.011). Washington State.

Read the full text from Washington State Legislature. This page holds the obligations in it, not the document.

8 obligations, clause by clause.

8 obligations transcribed from the Act, each held with its clause, the window it sets and what missing it costs.

Where it is writtenThe obligationWindowIf missedDisease
RCW 60.28.011(1), (3), (4), (9), (10), 60.28.040(5); 39.04.152(5)Have the public body retain no more than 5% of the moneys earned, held at the contractor's option in a fund, an interest-bearing account or escrowheld in the retention position registernone setno penalty statedDisputes
RCW 60.28.011(4), (5); 39.04.250(2)Withhold no more than 5% of the moneys a subcontractor or supplier earns on a public project, and pay it interest on that retainage at the rate you receive on your ownheld in the retention position registernone seta breach of contractDisputes
RCW 60.28.011(6)Be released the bonded portion of retainage within 30 days after the public body accepts a retainage bond you submitheld in the retention position register30 daysa breach of contractDisputes
RCW 60.28.011(6)Within 30 days of a subcontractor's request made before final acceptance, give the public body a bond for the subcontractor's share of retainage, and release a subcontractor's retainage within 30 days after accepting its like bondheld in the retention position register30 daysa breach of contractDisputes
RCW 60.28.011(3), (7), 60.28.021, 60.28.051, 60.28.060; 39.12.040(1)(b)Be paid the retainage in full 60 days after completion of all contract work, once the lien notice period has run and the DOR, ESD and L&I releases are in handheld in the retention position register60 daysa breach of contractDisputes
RCW 60.28.011(2), (11), 60.28.021; 39.08.030(1)As a person who performed labor or furnished supplies on a public improvement, give notice of a lien on the retainage within 45 days of completion of the contract workheld in the contract notice register45 daysthe claim is barredMissed claims
RCW 60.28.015When supplying materials, supplies or equipment for a public work, give the contractor written notice that a lien on the retained percentage may be claimed, since it covers only what was furnished from 60 days before itheld in the contract notice register60 daysthe claim is barredMissed claims
RCW 60.28.030Bring an action to foreclose a lien on the retainage within 4 months from filing the claimheld in the contract notice register4 monthsthe claim is barredMissed claims

How it works in Washington State: Construction law in Washington, Public works payment, Retainage, Bond and retainage claims.

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It is the clause text this library holds for this document, with the window and the consequence. It is not legal advice, and it is not a substitute for reading the document you signed.

No library of law is complete, and Demiton never says this one is. An obligation the library does not hold, and you did not add, is not protected. You can add your own to any job.

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Common questions

What does Lien for Labor, Materials, Taxes on Public Works (retained percentage), chapter 60.28 RCW (Washington) RCW 60.28.011(1), (3), (4), (9), (10), 60.28.040(5); 39.04.152(5) require?

Have the public body retain no more than 5% of the moneys earned, held at the contractor's option in a fund, an interest-bearing account or escrow. Missing it: no penalty stated. The clause sets no day count. Demiton watches it against the retention position register.

What does Lien for Labor, Materials, Taxes on Public Works (retained percentage), chapter 60.28 RCW (Washington) RCW 60.28.011(4), (5); 39.04.250(2) require?

Withhold no more than 5% of the moneys a subcontractor or supplier earns on a public project, and pay it interest on that retainage at the rate you receive on your own. Missing it: a breach of contract. The clause sets no day count. Demiton watches it against the retention position register.

What does Lien for Labor, Materials, Taxes on Public Works (retained percentage), chapter 60.28 RCW (Washington) RCW 60.28.011(6) require?

Be released the bonded portion of retainage within 30 days after the public body accepts a retainage bond you submit. Missing it: a breach of contract. The window is 30 days. Demiton watches it against the retention position register.

What does Lien for Labor, Materials, Taxes on Public Works (retained percentage), chapter 60.28 RCW (Washington) RCW 60.28.011(6) require?

Within 30 days of a subcontractor's request made before final acceptance, give the public body a bond for the subcontractor's share of retainage, and release a subcontractor's retainage within 30 days after accepting its like bond. Missing it: a breach of contract. The window is 30 days. Demiton watches it against the retention position register.

What does Lien for Labor, Materials, Taxes on Public Works (retained percentage), chapter 60.28 RCW (Washington) RCW 60.28.011(3), (7), 60.28.021, 60.28.051, 60.28.060; 39.12.040(1)(b) require?

Be paid the retainage in full 60 days after completion of all contract work, once the lien notice period has run and the DOR, ESD and L&I releases are in hand. Missing it: a breach of contract. The window is 60 days. Demiton watches it against the retention position register.

Does Demiton hold every obligation in Lien for Labor, Materials, Taxes on Public Works (retained percentage), chapter 60.28 RCW (Washington)?

No library of law is complete, and Demiton never says this one is. An obligation the library does not hold, and you did not add, is not protected. You can add your own to any job.

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