Notice of commencement
Also called NOC, notice of commencement form
A recorded document identifying the property, owner, and contractor before construction starts. It is a construction lien law instrument, not a building code one.
When it applies
In the permitting lifecycle, notice of commencement applies during Preparation, Inspections, and Closeout. Documents commonly matter at more than one phase, and this one does.
- Setup: does not usually apply
- Preparation: applies at this phase
- Submission: does not usually apply
- Plan review: does not usually apply
- Permit issued: does not usually apply
- Inspections: applies at this phase
- Closeout: applies at this phase
Mostly a Florida term. This one is not universal across the US. Confirm what your own jurisdiction requires rather than assuming it applies.
A notice of commencement is a document recorded in the public records before construction begins. It identifies the property, the owner, the contractor, the lender if there is one, and the general nature of the work.
Important
This is a construction lien law document, not a building code document. It is required by state statute rather than by the building code, and it is a Florida requirement most readers will run into. Other states may have an analogous filing under a different name, or none at all. Confirm what your state's lien law requires rather than assuming this applies.
Where it applies in the lifecycle
- Preparation. It is recorded and a certified copy is normally posted at the job site before work starts.
- Inspections. In Florida, jurisdictions generally will not perform the first inspection until a certified copy of the recorded notice is on file, so a missing notice stops the job at the first inspection rather than at permit issuance.
- Closeout. It sets the window in which liens can be recorded against the property, which is why it matters again at final payment and at the notice of termination.
What it does
The recorded notice tells subcontractors and suppliers who they are working for and where to send the notices that preserve their lien rights. In exchange, an owner who records one and pays properly against it gets meaningful protection from paying twice for the same work.
Practical points
- It must usually be notarized, so the owner's signature is required in person or through a permitted remote notarization.
- It has an expiration, commonly one year unless a longer term is stated on the form. If the job outlives it, an amended notice is required.
- The certified copy is the one that satisfies the inspection requirement. A copy of the unrecorded form is not enough.
Common questions
- Do I need a notice of commencement everywhere in the US?
- No. It is a creature of state construction lien law, not of the building code, and it is a Florida requirement most people encounter. Several other states have similar filings under different names, and many states have no equivalent at all. Whether you need one is a question about your state's lien statute, not about your building department.
- Who records the notice of commencement?
- The property owner signs it, and it is recorded with the county clerk or recorder of deeds where the property sits. It typically must be notarized. Many owners have their contractor handle the recording, but the owner is the one who signs.
Related terms
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Rules vary by jurisdiction
This definition is general. How notice of commencement is handled in practice is set by the building department that permits your property. Find yours in our free directory.
Last reviewed September 4, 2026