California Code, Streets and Highways Code - SHC § 5021

“Owner” means the person owning the fee, or the person in whose name the legal title to the property appears, by deed duly recorded in the county recorder's office of the county in which the property is situated, or the person in possession of the property or buildings under claim of, or exercising acts of ownership over the same for himself, or as the executor, administrator, guardian, or conservator of the owner.  If the property is leased, the possession of the tenant or lessee holding and occupying such property shall be deemed to be the possession of the owner.