What is the Statute of Limitations for Contractual Liability in the State of California?

In California, the Statute of Limitations for contractual liability is set at four years. This time frame applies to written contracts, which is common for many agreements in construction and architectural projects. Understanding this timeframe is crucial for professionals in the field because it dictates how long parties have to initiate legal action if there is a breach of contract.

This four-year period starts from the date the breach occurs or from the date of discovery of harm resulting from that breach. It’s important for architects and contractors to be aware of these limitations so they can timely address any potential disputes that may arise regarding contractual obligations.

While other timeframes are associated with various legal matters—such as two years for personal injury claims or ten years for certain types of property claims—these do not apply to standard contractual disputes for which the four-year statute is specifically designated.