CA Civ Code Section 9400

A direct contractor may obtain release of funds withheld pursuant to a stop payment notice under the summary proceeding provided in this article on any of the following grounds:

(a)

The claim on which the notice is based is not a type for which a stop payment notice is authorized under this chapter.

(b)

The claimant is not a person authorized under Section 9100 to give a stop payment notice.

(c)

The amount of the claim stated in the stop payment notice is excessive.

(d)

There is no basis for the claim stated in the stop payment notice.