Cal. Pub. Cont. Code § 20854

Upon the completion of the work and its acceptance, the street superintendent shall make a certificate of completion, together with a statement of the amount due under the terms of the contract for the performance of the work. The certificate shall be countersigned by the mayor and shall be recorded in the office of the superintendent of streets. The contractor thereupon shall be entitled to payment of the full amount of the contract price, and the recording of such certificate shall be sufficient notice to the owner of such track or tracks that the contract price is due and payable.