Title 9. Enforcement of Judgments · Division 2 · Chapter 2. Liens · Article 3. Judgment Lien on Personal Property · Last amended 2026 · Last verified July 28, 2026
In one sentenceSection 697.530 defines the personal property a judgment lien can reach, including accounts receivable, chattel paper, equipment, farm products, inventory, and negotiable documents of title located in or connected to California, while excluding registered vehicles, as-extracted collateral, most retail inventory, and property that becomes a fixture.
(a)A judgment lien on personal property is a lien on all interests in the following personal property that are subject to enforcement of the money judgment against the judgment debtor pursuant to Article 1 (commencing with Section 695.010) of Chapter 1 at the time when the lien is created if the personal property is, at that time, any of the following:
(1)Accounts receivable, and the judgment debtor is located in this state.
(2)Chattel paper, as defined in paragraph (11) of subdivision (a) of Section 9102 of the Commercial Code, and the judgment debtor is located in this state.
(3)Equipment, located within this state.
(4)Farm products, located within this state.
(5)Inventory, located within this state.
(6)Negotiable documents of title, located within this state.
(b)If any interest in personal property on which a judgment lien could be created under subdivision (a) is acquired after the judgment lien was created, the judgment lien attaches to the interest at the time it is acquired.
(c)To the extent provided by Section 697.620, a judgment lien on personal property continues on the proceeds received upon the sale, collection, or other disposition of the property subject to the judgment lien.
(d)Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the judgment lien does not attach to:
(1)A vehicle or vessel required to be registered with the Department of Motor Vehicles or a mobilehome or commercial coach required to be registered pursuant to the Health and Safety Code.
(2)As-extracted collateral, as defined in paragraph (6) of subdivision (a) of Section 9102 of the Commercial Code, and timber to be cut.
(3)The inventory of a retail merchant held for sale except to the extent that the inventory of the retail merchant consists of durable goods having a unit retail value of at least five hundred dollars ($500). For the purposes of this paragraph, "retail merchant" does not include either of the following:
(A)A person whose sales for resale exceeded 75 percent in dollar volume of the person's total sales of all goods during the 12 months preceding the filing of the notice of judgment lien on personal property.
(B)A cooperative association organized pursuant to Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 54001) of Division 20 of the Food and Agricultural Code (agricultural cooperative associations) or Part 3 (commencing with Section 13200) of Division 3 of Title 1 of the Corporations Code (Fish Marketing Act).
(e)If property subject to a lien under this article becomes a fixture, as defined in paragraph (41) of subdivision (a) of Section 9102 of the Commercial Code, the judgment lien on that property is extinguished.
(f)Notwithstanding the filing of a notice of judgment lien, subject to the provisions of Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 708.010), a person obligated on an account receivable or chattel paper is authorized to pay or compromise the amount without notice to or consent of the judgment creditor unless and until there is a levy pursuant to Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 699.010).
(g)For purposes of this section, whether a person is located in this state is determined in accordance with Section 9307 of the Commercial Code, except that the location of a registered organization, as defined in paragraph (71) of subdivision (a) of Section 9102 of the Commercial Code, that is organized under the law of another state is determined without regard to subdivision (e) of Section 9307 of the Commercial Code.
Plain-English Summary
This section draws the boundaries of what a personal-property judgment lien covers. It reaches only property already subject to enforcement of the money judgment under § 695.010 and following, and only if that property fits one of six categories: accounts receivable and chattel paper tied to a debtor located in California, and equipment, farm products, inventory, or negotiable documents of title located in the state. Property acquired later attaches to the lien the moment the debtor acquires it, and § 697.620 lets the lien follow into proceeds.
Several categories are carved out entirely. Registered vehicles, vessels, mobilehomes, and commercial coaches don't fall under this lien — those are reached through other means. As-extracted collateral and timber to be cut are excluded too. Retail inventory held for sale is excluded except to the extent it consists of durable goods worth at least $500 per unit, with special rules for wholesalers and certain agricultural cooperatives. And if property subject to the lien later becomes a fixture, the lien on it is extinguished outright.
Subdivision (f) leaves room for ordinary business to continue: even after a notice of judgment lien is filed, a person who owes money on an account receivable or chattel paper can pay or settle that debt without notifying the judgment creditor, unless a levy under Chapter 3 has already occurred.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kinds of personal property can a judgment lien attach to?
Accounts receivable, chattel paper, equipment, farm products, inventory, and negotiable documents of title, each subject to a location requirement tying the property or debtor to California.
Does the lien attach to a vehicle or vessel?
No. Section 697.530(d) excludes vehicles, vessels, mobilehomes, and commercial coaches required to be registered with the state.
Is a retailer's shelf inventory covered?
Generally not, except to the extent it consists of durable goods with a unit retail value of at least $500, subject to further carve-outs for wholesalers and certain cooperatives.
What happens if property covered by the lien becomes a fixture?
The judgment lien on that property is extinguished under § 697.530(e).
Can someone who owes money to the judgment debtor keep paying that debt after a lien notice is filed?
Yes, unless there has already been a levy on the account receivable or chattel paper under Chapter 3.
Amendment History
Amended by Stats 2025 ch 200 (AB 1521),s 9, eff. 1/1/2026. Amended by Stats 2013 ch 531 (AB 502),s 6, eff. 1/1/2014, op. 7/1/2014. Amended by Stats 2009 ch 153 (AB 1549),s 1, eff. 1/1/2010. EFFECTIVE 7/01/2001. Amended October 10, 1999 (Bill Number: SB 45) (Chapter 991).
Source & verification. Section text is reproduced verbatim from
the Deering's California Codes Annotated / vLex. Enacted by the California Legislature.
Last verified July 28, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as:property subject to judgment lien californiaaccounts receivable judgment lien californiafixture judgment lien extinguished