Reference Source

California

For California, public project retainage cap (%) is 5%; private project retainage cap (%) is not addressed in this statute; release deadline is upon final completion and acceptance of the project; escrow required is not addressed in this statute; milestone reduction is after 95% of the work has been completed, the department may reduce the funds withheld to an amount not less than 125 percent of the estimated value of the work yet to be completed, recorded from its source on 2026-08-15.

State
California
Public project retainage cap (%)
5%
Private project retainage cap (%)
not addressed in this statute
Release deadline
upon final completion and acceptance of the project
Escrow required
not addressed in this statute
Milestone reduction
after 95% of the work has been completed, the department may reduce the funds withheld to an amount not less than 125 percent of the estimated value of the work yet to be completed verified
Statutory citation
Cal. Pub. Cont. Code § 10261
Sourceleginfo.legislature.ca.gov
Verified
Review by
DatasetConstruction retainage limits by US state — maximum withholding percentages, release deadlines, escrow requirements, and public vs private distinctions with statutory citations

What the source says

The department shall withhold not more than 5 percent of the contract price until final completion and acceptance of the project. However, at any time after 95 percent of the work has been completed, the department may reduce the funds withheld to an amount not less than 125 percent of the estimated value of the work yet to be completed

leginfo.legislature.ca.gov, retrieved 2026-08-15

Source

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