California Code, Streets and Highways Code - SHC § 5420

If the contractor or his agent or any person acting in behalf of the contractor shall, prior to the filing of a complaint for the recovery of any assessment, or subsequent to the filing of the action and prior to the allowance of attorney fees and costs, make any written demand upon or present any bill or notice in writing to the owner, demanding, requesting or notifying such owner to pay or that there is due, attorney's fees or court costs in connection with the collection of the assessment, then the superintendent of streets is authorized, upon written demand of the owner, accompanied by the affidavit of the owner, that such written demand, bill or notice for the payment of attorney's fees and costs, or either thereof, was made upon or presented to such owner prior to the commencement of the action, or subsequent to the filing of the action and prior to the allowance of attorney's fees and costs, together with such written demand, bill or notice to mark said assessment “paid” and such assessment shall thereby be deemed to be paid and the lien thereof released.  This section shall not apply to the service of summons and complaint in a civil action.