Wyoming retainage

Who and what this applies to

Public-entity public-work contracts under Wyoming Statutes 16-6-702 and related sections.

Thresholds and scope

Retainage is capped at 5% of the calculated value of completed work.

The rules

• Section 16-6-702(b) limits public retainage to 5% and requires it to be held in an account in the contractor’s name assigned to the public entity. Early payment may be approved after a written request, satisfactory progress and reasons, and written surety approval. Source
• Section 16-6-116(a) requires payment of retained and other due amounts on the 41st day after the substantial-completion notice was first both published and posted, less amounts for incomplete or nonconforming work; the Section 16-6-117 sworn-statement requirements also apply. Source
• Section 16-6-704 requires the public entity, on the general contractor’s request and after notice to the surety, to enter an interest-bearing deposit agreement for a contract over $50,000. Source

Deadlines

The 41-day release clock requires both first newspaper publication and website posting, following the substantial-completion certificate.

Primary sources

• title16.pdf

Sources reviewed 2026-09-30. This guide covers the projects and rules stated above.

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