Ohio Rev. Code § 1311.04
Ohio's Notice of Commencement under ORC § 1311.04 is required by the owner before any work begins. It must be recorded with the County Recorder and posted on the jobsite. Failing to record one strips the owner of important procedural protections under Ohio's mechanics' lien law.
The owner, part owner, or lessee is required to record and post the Notice of Commencement before work begins.
Before any actual physical work or labor begins on the project.
With the County Recorder in the county where the property is located.
Required for most non-residential improvements and for residential improvements where the owner wants the protections of Ohio's mechanics' lien statute.
A copy of the recorded Notice of Commencement must be posted in a conspicuous place on the jobsite.
Reference: Ohio Rev. Code § 1311.04
A Notice of Intent to Lien is the final written demand for payment served before recording a Claim of Lien under Ohio Rev. Code § 1311.04. It puts the owner, contractor, and lender on notice that they have a short window — usually 10 days — to pay the unpaid balance or a lien will be recorded. Most owners pay once they receive a properly served NOI, and serving one documents a good-faith effort to resolve the debt before filing.
Yes — ORC § 1311.04 requires the owner, part owner, or lessee to record and post a Notice of Commencement before work begins. Failing to do so removes important lien-law protections.
With the County Recorder in the Ohio county where the property is located.
The owner is responsible for both recording the NOC with the County Recorder and posting a copy in a conspicuous place at the jobsite.
This page is general information about Ohio's Notice of Commencement statute and is not legal advice. Statutes, recording fees, and local procedures change. Verify current requirements with the appropriate Ohio recording office or a licensed Ohio construction attorney before filing.