What is the retainage cap in Minnesota?

On public work the planning cap is 5%. On private work it is No statutory cap. Bid documents and the subcontract still control if they are stricter.

When is retainage released in Minnesota?

Public jobs typically release 60 days after acceptance. Private jobs: Per contract. Confirm the contract date — several states changed caps in 2025–2026.

How fast must a prime pay a sub in Minnesota?

10 days after the prime is paid. Owner or agency to prime is Public: 35 days after invoice. Late-pay interest: Per contract.

Minnesota · MN

Minnesota retainage law and prompt-payment rules

Watch Minnesota’s progress-payment statutes on public jobs. Start in the code: Minn. Stat. § 15.72; § 337.10.

Use this page when you are bidding or billing a job in Minnesota. Public retainage is listed as 5%; private as No statutory cap. Typical public release is 60 days after acceptance.

Then open the retainage calculator for the dollars, or the G702-style pay application if you need line-by-line previous certificates.

Minnesota retainage on public progress payments

Minnesota public retainage is a 5% planning cap under Minn. Stat. § 15.72, with release commonly around 60 days after acceptance. Progress-payment timing for public work is its own trap: owner-to-prime is often about 35 days after invoice. Minn. Stat. § 337.10 is the companion construction-payment statute people mean when they say “Minnesota prompt pay.”

Private retainage is per contract — no statewide private cap in the same shape as Texas Chapter 53 or California § 8812. If the subcontract says 10%, bill 10% until someone shows you a different signed term.

Prime-to-sub is often 10 days after the prime is paid. Use the calculator at 5% on public Minnesota work, then keep previous certificates honest on the pay-app sheet so a MnDOT-style review does not bounce Line 4 vs G703.

Statute text: Minn. Stat. § 15.72. Confirm the current code before you rely on a date.

Where is the job?

State and project type drive retainage caps and payment clocks

State

Project type

Caps and clocks change with project type, contract value, and the year you signed. Planning table only — confirm the current statute before you rely on a date.

Minnesota — private work

Retainage capNo statutory cap

Typical retainage releasePer contract

Interest / penaltyPer contract

Owner / agency to primePublic: 35 days after invoice

Prime to sub (after prime paid)10 days after the prime is paid

Start in the codeMinn. Stat. § 15.72; § 337.10

Watch Minnesota’s progress-payment statutes on public jobs.

Summaries compiled for planning. This site is not a law firm.

Run the retainage dollars

Questions this page answers

What is the retainage cap in Minnesota?: On public work the planning cap is 5%. On private work it is No statutory cap. Bid documents and the subcontract still control if they are stricter.
When is retainage released in Minnesota?: Public jobs typically release 60 days after acceptance. Private jobs: Per contract. Confirm the contract date — several states changed caps in 2025–2026.
How fast must a prime pay a sub in Minnesota?: 10 days after the prime is paid. Owner or agency to prime is Public: 35 days after invoice. Late-pay interest: Per contract.

All states · Florida retainage law · Texas retainage law · California retainage law · Massachusetts retainage law · Oregon retainage law · Michigan retainage law · New York retainage law · How to bill retainage