Trusted AI built on 175 years of Thomson Reuters knowledge. Meet The CoCo

Prompt Payment Acts (Private Projects): State Comparison Chart

by Practical Law Real Estate

Law stated as of 23 December 2015 | Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, USA (National/Federal), Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming

A Chart providing a state-by-state overview of prompt payment acts governing privately owned or financed construction projects. This Chart outlines critical payment provisions, including statutory deadlines for payments from owners to prime contractors and from contractors to their subcontractors and suppliers. It also details state-specific rules and limitations on retainage, such as maximum withholding percentages and mandatory release dates. This resource examines whether interest and other penalties are imposed for late payments and explores the statutory enforceability of pay-if-paid clauses. The Chart serves as an essential tool for project parties and their counsel to understand the diverse legal landscape of payment obligations and rights in private construction. This Chart is updated semiannually.

Get access to this document with Practical Law

Why Practical Law?

Gain a built-in attorney network

Practical Law’s resources are written and maintained by over 650 dedicated, full-time attorney-editors globally. They’re highly qualified, having practiced at the world’s leading law firms, corporate law departments, and government agencies, so they understand the challenges you face. They dedicate themselves to creating resources to help you navigate the new legal realities, legislative changes, and practice areas impacting your clients or organization.

See how to leverage the expertise of Practical Law’s attorney-editors to help you practice more efficiently.

Expert guidance

650+ full-time, experienced attorney-editors keep you up to date globally

Total resources

118,000+ total resources across 17 practice areas ensure comprehensive coverage

Timely updates 

150,000+ hours spent in 2025 maintaining and updating resources

Experience Practical Law