SECTION 2. The Recitals set forth hereinabove are true and correct and incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth herein.
SECTION 3. Definitions. The following provisions of Section 17.04.010 (Definitions) of Title 17 of the Paramount Municipal Code shall be added or amended as follows to read as follows:
Artist. A practitioner of the creative arts, generally recognized as such by critics and peers, with a body of work that may include commissions, exhibitions, sales, publications, and collections. For the purposes of this Chapter, “artist” shall not include: (j) persons primarily working in the professional fields of architecture, engineering, design, or landscaping; (ii) an employee or relative of the development project architect, landscape architect, engineer, or project manager; (iii) any person with a business interest in a development project or with respect to individuals or entities serving as project architects, landscape architects, engineers or project managers; or (iv) a relative of or anyone with a financial interest with respect to an individual or entity serving on an art selection panel for the development project.
Mural. A one-of-a-kind, hand-painted, hand-tiled, or digitally printed image on the exterior of a building with visibility from the public right-of-way that does not contain any commercial message that advertises a business conducted, services rendered, or goods produced or sold. A mural must be created by an Artist and is not intended as a commercial sign.
Nonprofit. A corporation organized under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3), in good standing with the California Department of Corporations and in compliance with all federal, state, and local licensing, reporting, and tax requirements.
Placemaking. A multi-faceted approach, generally including arts and cultural installations, performances, and activities, to the planning, design, and management of public spaces, that improves the quality of life and is documented by recordings, essays, articles, or a combination of media.
Private Development Project. Any commercial, industrial, and residential private sector development that requires the issuance of a building permit by the City of Paramount.
Public Art. Work created by an artist that is publicly accessible on private property, or on land or in or on a building owned by the City and encompasses a range of culture through the broadest possible expression, media, and materials and that may be permanent, fixed, temporary, or portable; and may be an integral part of a building, facility, structure, or landscape. These may include but are not limited to:
ORDINANCE NO. 1200
1. Media. Paintings, ceramics, light, sound, electronic, video, mediabased, time-based, and web-based.
2. Style. Functional, realistic, abstract, community-based, and processoriented; permanent and temporary. The public art can include artistic elements of the overall architecture or landscape design if created by an artist.
3. Genre. Fine art, craft, folk art, performance art. For reference, performance art is an art form in which a performance is presented within a fine art context, usually in collaboration with other interdisciplinary artists. The performance may be live or via media and the performer may be present or absent.
Public Art Advisory Committee. The City of Paramount committee that advises the City Council on public art policies, procedures, and expenditures from the Public Art Fund.
Publicly Accessible. Public art in a public place, accessible to the public for viewing, in its entirety and in a direct line of line of sight without hindrances or visual obstacles, during regular business hours consistent with the operation and use of the premises. Nothing in this definition is intended to require access by any member of the public to any area not otherwise accessible to the public pursuant to the normal operation and use of the premises.
Public Art Fund. A separate account into which all monies generated under this Ordinance shall be deposited.
Public Art Maintenance. The conservation, preservation, and basic day-to-day care of public art and, where applicable, of the lighting and surrounding landscaping, in good condition to the satisfaction of the City; and protection of the public art against physical defacement, mutilations, or alteration.
Maintenance includes those activities required to conserve, repair, or preserve the integrity of the public art and setting within which the public art is located.
Public Art Policies and Guidelines. The documents adopted by the Public Art Advisory Committee that include standards and procedures for the implementation and administration of public art.
Public Art Program. The City program within the Planning Department that is responsible for the administration of public art, and cultural activities and events, including the acquisition, commission, design, installation, production, presentation, performance, and maintenance of public art for the cultural benefit of the City, its residents, and its visitors, celebrating and illustrating the broad range of cultural expression practiced in the ORDINANCE NO. 1200
Paramount community that is funded by the Public Art Fund.
Public Art Project. The administration, development, acquisition, and installation of public art in publicly accessible spaces or on public property that enrich the urban landscape and provide a means to express the City’s cultural and social heritage by exposure to art, culture, and history in various forms.
Public Art Workplan. An annual workplan presented to the City Council that identifies new projects to be initiated within a fiscal year and provides a status report on current and completed projects. The annual workplan serves to inform City policymakers, staff, and the public about arts and cultural activities and opportunities available.
Public Place. An area on public property that is publicly accessible to and available for use by the public during normal hours of business operation consistent with the operation and use of the premises, including but not limited to lobbies, meeting spaces, sidewalks, and crosswalks.
SECTION 4. Chapter 17.112 (Art in Public Places) of the Paramount Municipal Code is hereby amended in full to read as follows:
17.112.010. Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to establish and maintain a public art requirement for private development in order to provide the following benefits to the community:
(1) maintain Paramount's art and culture for generations; (2) recognize the vital importance of the arts to the City as a whole; and (3) make a lasting contribution to the intellectual, emotional, and creative life of the community at large, and create a more desirable community to live, work, and recreate. A policy is hereby established to require developers and/or owners of certain private developments to use a portion of building development costs for the acquisition and installation of freely accessible works of art. Additionally, requirements for public art not associated with new development are included.
17.112.020. Contribution requirements – public art associated with new private development.
A. Calculation.
1. Nonresidential Building Developments. Private nonresidential building developments involving a project valuation of $100,000.00 or more shall devote an amount not less than one percent of building development costs for acquisition and installation of publicly accessible art on the development site or the adjacent right-of-way within one-fourth mile.
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2. Residential Building Developments. Private residential building developments of five or more new dwelling units shall devote an amount not less than one percent of building development costs for acquisition and installation of publicly accessible art on the development site or the adjacent right-of-way within one-fourth mile.
B. In Lieu Contribution.
1. At the discretion of the developer and/or owner, and in lieu of installing public art, an in-lieu contribution shall be placed into the Public Art Fund account for acquisition and placement of public art throughout the City.
2. At the discretion of the City, in addition to the required art installation of publicly accessible art on the development site or the adjacent rightof-way within one-fourth mile, an in-lieu contribution may be required from the developer/or property owner when it has been determined that the value of the proposed public art installation is less than the required one percent. The combined total shall be equal to the required one percent of building development costs for acquisition and installation of publicly accessible art on the development site or the adjacent right-of-way within one-fourth mile.
17.112.030. Applicability.
A. The provisions of this chapter shall be applicable to publicly accessible private property, public right-of-way, and City-owned property throughout Paramount.
B. Publicly accessible public art within residentially developed properties shall be restricted to the following areas:
1. Within a common outdoor entry area to a commonly identified housing tract of five or more permitted housing units.
2. Outside or upon a permitted residential or mixed-use with residential building of three or more stories in height.
3. Upon walls, fences, and structures along rear property lines facing a public alley. (Ord. 1131 § 3, 2020)
17.112.040 Exceptions and waivers.
The requirements of this chapter shall not apply to the following activities:
A. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliance projects, not including projects where ADA compliance is a portion of a larger project.
ORDINANCE NO. 1200
B. Road, path, and sidewalk repairs, including traffic signals and upgrades, curb and gutter repairs, sign reflectivity, road and parking signage, resurfacing of roads or other existing hardscape areas.
C. Emergency repair projects.
D. Cyclical replacement and repair of trails, outdoor furnishings, or fencing.
E. Studies and plans.
F. Roof replacement.
G. Mechanical, security, audio-visual equipment, and information technology (IT) installations, upgrades, and repairs.
H. Utilities projects unless there is building construction or reconstruction involved.
I. Seismic upgrades and waterproofing.
J. Projects where most of the cost is allocated to elements located underground.
K. Projects where prohibited by federal law, including projects or portions of projects funded by grants from non-City sources that prohibit expenditure of funds for art.
17.112.050 Maintenance.
A. All public art on private property shall become the property of the developer and/or owner and successor(s) in interest with the exception of public art owned by the City and placed on private property.
B. The obligation to provide public art maintenance and security, as necessary to preserve the public art in good condition, shall remain with the developer and/or owner with the exception of public art owned by the City and placed on private property.
17.112.060 Use of Public Art Fund.
There is hereby created a public art fund to account for the public art fee and any and all other revenues appropriated or received for public art, including gifts, grants, and donations made to the City for purposes of this chapter. The public art fund shall be self-perpetuating from year to year.
A. The revenues in such fund shall be used solely for:
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1. The acquisition, commission, design, installation, production, presentation, performance, and maintenance of public art identified by Section 17.04.010 (Definitions) of this chapter.
2. No more than twenty percent (20%) of the annual Public Art Fund shall be used for all necessary and reasonable administrative costs incurred in connection with Public Art Program staff or consultant supervision of the Public Art Program and the expenditure of all funds appropriated for public art.
3. Other expenses associated with the implementation and administration of the Public Art Program.
4. Furthering the purpose of public art as defined in this chapter.
B. All fees collected under this chapter shall be maintained, managed, and reviewed by the City Manager or designee. The City Manager shall present annually to the City Council for approval an Annual Public Art Workplan that recommends the use of Public Art Fund monies consistent with the purpose of this section including the administrative costs of the Public Art Program annually, staff support and related expenses; curatorial services; documentation; publicity, community education, and any other services or programs in accordance with the intent of this chapter.
C. Included Appropriations and Expenditures. Included appropriations and expenditures for public art include:
1. Acquisition of public art through direct purchase or through the design, fabrication, transportation, installation, and presentation of public art.
2. Temporary stages, arenas, and other devices for performance.
3. Artist fees and expenses.
4. Supplies and materials.
5. Costs for insurance, identification plaques, project management by an independent public art consultant, and other reasonable expenses associated with the planning, development, and completion of public art.
6. Other related expenses associated with the implementation and administration of the Public Art Program approved by the Public Art Advisory Committee.
D. Excluded appropriations and expenditures for public art include:
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1. Reproductions, by mechanical or other means of original artwork, except in cases of film, video, photography, printmaking, theater, or other media arts.
2. Decorative, ornamental, architectural, or functional elements that are designed by the project architect or other design consultants engaged by the architect as opposed to an artist commissioned for this purpose.
3. Landscape architecture, gardening, or materials generally considered to be components of the landscape designed by the project architect, landscape architect, or other design professional engaged by the architect as opposed to an artist commissioned for this purpose.
4. Art objects that are mass produced (excluding artist-created, signed limited-edition works), ordered from a catalog, or of a standard design, such as playground, sculpture, or fountain.
5. Directional or other functional elements such as signage, supergraphics, color coding, or maps that are designed by architect, landscape architect, or other design professional engaged by the primary designer.
6. Utility costs and expenses related to the ongoing operation of the public art such as electrical, water, or mechanical service required to activate the work.
17.112.070 Public Art Advisory Committee
To promote, encourage, and advise on policies and programs that affect public access to a wide variety of arts and culture opportunities, a Public Art Advisory Committee (PAAC) appointed by the Mayor and approved by the City Council shall be established.
A. The PAAC shall be comprised of a minimum of five (5) and up to seven (7) voting members appointed by the Mayor and approved by the City Council to advise on and advocate for public art.
B. A minimum of two (2) voting members of the PAAC shall be arts professionals with considerable knowledge and experience in the arts.
Qualifying arts professionals may include contemporary museum and gallery art curators, arts management professionals, arts educators, and design professionals such as licensed architects, landscape architects, and urban planners.
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C. A minimum of one (1) member of the PAAC shall be a community stakeholder.
D. Two (2) members of the PAAC shall be City Councilmembers.
E. Appropriate City staff may serve as non-voting advisors. Oversight of the PAAC is the responsibility of Public Art Program staff.
F. The PAAC would convene on an as-needed basis and no less than two times each year. In general, the powers and duties of the PAAC shall be as follows:
1. Establish and approve the Public Art Program mission and curatorial and programmatic goals, policies, and guidelines.
2. Develop an Annual Public Art Workplan that charts current and future public art projects and arts and culture programming and determines resources and funding priorities.
3. Make recommendations to the City Council on the expenditure of funds in the Public Art Fund.
4. Make recommendations to the City Council and City Manager concerning the resources and needs of the community about the arts and opportunities for participation of artists.
5. Review and make recommendations to the City Council concerning the removal, relocation, or alteration of existing public art or items of cultural significance in the possession of the City in accordance with the deaccession policy.
6. Review and make recommendations to the City Council concerning gifts and loans of public art to the City in accordance with the gifts and donation of art policy.
7. Explore methods of obtaining private, local, state, and federal funds to promote public art and public art programming within the city and make recommendations to the City Council on applying for such grants and funds.
8. Encourage public and private partnerships to assure the survival of the arts and artists in the city.
9. Serve as the key advocacy body for the Public Art Program and participate in community outreach activities and events.
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10. Adopt rules, regulations, and procedures for the PAAC chair and conduct of PAAC meetings.
11. Advise and assist the City Council in connection with such other public art matters as may be referred to by City staff.
12. Exercise such other and incidental powers not inconsistent with law, necessary to carry out its functions.
17.112.080 City Council role and responsibilities.
A. Included and excluded roles and responsibilities of the City Council:
1. Review, approve, and update the City of Paramount Public Art Master Plan as needed.
2. Approve the annual Public Art Workplan as part of the City’s annual budget adoption process, which outlines the projects and expenses the Public Art Program will undertake each year.
3. Consider annual Capital Improvement Program allocations for public art, as outlined in this chapter, as feasible.
4. Approve annual operating allocations for the Public Art Program as part of the City’s annual budget process.
5. Make final determinations on PAAC recommendations regarding the commissioning and acquisition of public art on public property and publicly accessible private property in compliance with the City’s purchasing policy.
6. Make final determinations on PAAC recommendations regarding deaccession of public art, acceptance of public art gifts and loans, and proposals for memorials and murals on City property, in accordance with each respective policy.
B. Excluded roles and responsibilities:
1. Oversight and/or approval of small-scale art projects identified by Neighborhood Preservation committee action items in need of immediate attention to preserve the health and safety of the community.
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17.112.090 Public Art Policies and Guidelines.
A. Policies and guidelines for the implementation and administration of public art shall be adopted by the PAAC. Any major changes to the Public Art Policies and Guidelines after adoption shall be submitted to the PAAC for review and approval.
B. Implementation of adopted policies and guidelines is the responsibility of the designated Planning Department staff implementing the Public Art Program.
17.112.100 Processing public art associated with new private development or existing development.
A. Public art associated with new private development or existing development shall be subject to review and recommended approval from the PAAC with final review and approval by the City Council pursuant to Section
17.112.070 of this Chapter.
1. A completed public art application to supplement a development review application shall be submitted to the PAAC for public art associated with new development. An application associated with new development shall indicate whether the applicant has elected to acquire and install or make an in-lieu contribution to the Public Art Fund in accordance with California Government Code Section 66007.
2. The Planning Department shall submit to the PAAC each application to acquire and install public art on new or existing development. The PAAC shall recommend approval, partial approval, or conditional approval, or deny the application based upon guidelines set forth providing their recommendation to City Council for final review and approval.
3. With public art in publicly accessible places associated with new development or existing development, when the project applicant elects to acquire and install public art, the art in public places application will be reviewed by the PAAC and a recommendation will be made to the City Council for final approval.
4. With art in publicly accessible places associated with new development, and the PAAC has recommended approval of the art in publicly accessible places application, the certificate of occupancy shall not be issued until the approved public art has been installed unless an in-lieu contribution is made as a deposit to secure the proper installation of the public art within a reasonable period of time as specified by the Planning Director or designee.
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5. When the project applicant has elected to make an in-lieu contribution to the public art development fee, the contribution shall be paid in accordance with Section 66007 of the California Government Code.
6. If the applicant decides to install public art after making an in-lieu contribution, a bond, letter of credit, or other instrument acceptable to the Planning Director or designee will be necessary to ensure completion of the project before any refunds are issued to pay for public art.
17.112.110 Processing public art on public property.
A. Public art on public property shall be subject to review and approval from the PAAC, pursuant to Section 17.114.070 of this Code. A single application for multiple works of public art to be installed simultaneously at one or more locations as part of a group, team, or programmatic event is permitted.
B. A completed art public art application shall be submitted to the Planning Department for public art proposals. A single application for multiple works of public art to be installed simultaneously at one or more locations as part of a group, team, or programmatic event is permitted.
C. The Planning Department shall submit to the PAAC each application to acquire and install public art. The PAAC shall recommend approval, partial approval, or conditional approval, or deny the application based upon guidelines set forth with the City Council having the final decision.
17.112.120. Items are not to be considered as public art.
A. Art objects that are mass produced from a standard design. However, limited productions may be considered with specific restrictions.
B. Reproductions of original artworks.
C. Decorative, ornamental, or functional elements that are designed by the building architects opposed to an artist commissioned for the purpose of creating the public art.
D. Landscape architecture and landscape gardening except where these elements are designed or approved by the artist and are an integral part of the public art by the artist.
E. Any artwork that directly promotes a business or service.
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F. Expressions of obvious bad taste, obscenity, indecency, hate speech, or profanity, which would likely be offensive to the general public are unacceptable.
17.112.130. Appeal procedure.
A. Within 10 calendar days after the date of a recommendation by the Planning Department to the City Council that includes a condition of approval imposing a public art requirement for private development, an appeal from said decision must be filed by the applicant or any other interested party.
The appeal shall be submitted to the Planning Department. In the event the last date of appeal falls on a weekend or holiday when the City offices are closed, the next date such offices are open for business shall be the last date of appeal. Such an appeal shall be made on a form prescribed by the Planning Department and shall be filed with the Planning Department to the attention of the Planning Director, along with any appropriate fees required.
The appeal application must be complete and shall state specifically wherein it is claimed there was an error or abuse of discretion by the PAAC or wherein the PAAC’s decision is not supported by the evidence in the record. The appeal itself must raise each and every issue that is contested, including any and all constitutional claims, along with all the arguments and evidence in the record which supports the basis of the appeal; failure to do so will preclude the appellant from raising such issues during the appeal and/or in court.
B. If proposed public art or art project is denied by the PAAC, an appeal process may be initiated by an applicant only based on a process stated in this chapter or in the guidelines and policies adopted not having been followed. Within 10 calendar days after the date of denial of proposed public art or an art project by the PAAC, an appeal from said decision must be filed by the applicant or any other interested party. The appeal shall be submitted to the Planning Department. In the event the last date of appeal falls on a weekend or holiday when City offices are closed, the next date such offices are open for business shall be the last day of appeal. Such an appeal shall be made on a form prescribed by the Planning Department and shall be filed with the Planning Department and submitted to the Planning Director, along with any appropriate fees required. The appeal application must be complete and shall state specifically wherein it is claimed there was an error or abuse of discretion by the PAAC or wherein the PAACs decision is not supported by the evidence in the record. The appeal itself must raise each and every guideline and/or policy that is contested, including all constitutional claims, along with all the arguments and evidence in the record, which supports the basis of the appeal; failure to do so will preclude the appellant from raising such issues during the appeal and/or in court.
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SECTION 5. California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). This ordinance is exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) which is the general rule that CEQA applies only to projects which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment and CEQA does not apply where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity may have a significant effect on the environment.
SECTION 6. Severability. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase in this ordinance or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is for any reason held invalid, the validity of the remainder of the ordinance or the application of such provision to other persons or circumstances shall be adopted thereby. The City Council hereby declares it would have passed this ordinance and each section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase thereof, irrespective of the fact that one or more sections, subsections, sentences, clauses, or phrases or the application thereof to any person or circumstance be held invalid.
SECTION 7. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall take effect thirty days after its adoption, shall be certified as to its adoption by the City Clerk, and shall be published as required by law, together with the names and members of the City Council voting for and against the Ordinance.
PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Paramount this 10th day of June 2025.
Peggy Lemons, Mayor
ATTEST:
Heidi Luce, City Clerk
To: Honorable City Council
From: John Moreno, City Manager
By: Adriana Figueroa, Public Works Director
Date: May 27, 2025
SUBJECT: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARAMOUNT AMENDING SECTION 13.04.150 (PROTECTION OF PUBLIC WATER
SUPPLY) OF ARTICLE 3 (RULES AND REGULATIONS) OF CHAPTER
13.04 (WATER WORKS SYSTEM) OF THE CITY MUNICIPAL CODE
REGARDING WATER SUPPLY CROSS-CONNECTIONS, AND MAKING
A DETERMINATION THAT THE ORDINANCE IS EXEMPT UNDER THE
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT
BACKGROUND
In December 2023, the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) adopted a Cross-Connection Control Policy Handbook (CCCPH) that replaced requirements of Title 17 of the California Code of Regulations governing backflow prevention and crossconnection control related to water systems. The CCCPH is a comprehensive document that provides guidelines for preventing the contamination of drinking water systems in California. Cross connection refers to any unprotected connection between any part of a water system used or intended to supply water for drinking purposes and any source or system containing water or substances that are not or cannot be approved as a safe, wholesome, and potable for human consumption. Water agencies are required to adopt the CCCPH as its guidelines for carrying out the cross-connection control program by July 2025.
DISCUSSION
The primary focus of the CCCPH is to identify, prevent, and manage cross-connections, which are situations where non-potable water sources can contaminate the water supply.
As a water service provider, the City of Paramount is required to adopt the CCCPH as the guidelines for its cross-connection control program. Additionally, staff is updating the applicable sections of the Municipal Code to align with CCCPH and to ensure successful implementation of its program.
The City’s water system currently includes approximately 550 backflow devices, which require annual testing by a certified backflow assembly tester. The annual testing requirement is to ensure that contaminated water does not get into the City’s water system. The City is responsible for notifying customers with backflow devices to test annually and keep inventory of these devices. Given the State’s requirement to adopt the Agenda Report May 27, 2025
ORDINANCE NO 1201 Page 2
CCCPH, the City is also updating applicable sections of the Municipal Code to align with CCCPH requirements, including clarifying language on procedures related to annual backflow testing, and allowing the City to take safety measures to prevent potential cross connection and maintain a safe drinking water supply.
Below is a summary of the recommended changes to the City’s Municipal Code Section
13.04.150 for the City to most effectively safeguard the public water supply. Replaces reference of the State of California Code of Regulations Title 17 to the State Water Resources Control Board CCCPH as the basis for the crossconnection control regulations. Provides greater advance notice to water customers regarding the annual testing requirement of backflow devices (i.e. City will provide a minimum 40 calendar days advance notice instead of 30 days).
Clarifying language on the schedule of City notifications for backflow device testing and maintenance.
Provides the City with the authority to implement measures to protect the public water system that is consistent with CCCPH, including water service shutoff for non-compliance.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is currently no fiscal impact to the City.
VISION, MISSION, VALUES, AND STRATEGIC OUTCOMES
The City’s Vision, Mission, and Values set the standard for the organization, establish priorities, uniformity and guidelines; and provide the framework for policy decision making. The Strategic Outcomes were implemented to provide a pathway to achieving the City’s Vision. This item aligns with Strategic Outcome No 4: Environmental Health - Promote, protect, and enhance a healthy, sustainably built, and natural environment.
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Read by title only, waive further reading, introduce Ordinance No. 1201, and place it on the June 10, 2025 agenda for adoption.
CITY OF PARAMOUNT
LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
ORDINANCE NO. 1201
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PARAMOUNT AMENDING SECTION 13.04.150 (PROTECTION OF
PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY) OF ARTICLE 3 (RULES AND REGULATIONS) OF CHAPTER 13.04 (WATER WORKS SYSTEM) OF THE CITY
MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING WATER SUPPLY CROSSCONNECTIONS, AND MAKING A DETERMINATION THAT THE
ORDINANCE IS EXEMPT UNDER THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL
QUALITY ACT
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARAMOUNT DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Section 13.04.150 of Article 3 of Chapter 13.04 of the City of Paramount Municipal Code is hereby amended as follows:
“13.04.150. Protection of public water supply.
A. Protection of Public Water Supply.
1. The City of Paramount shall operate a cross-connection control program:
a. To protect the public water supply against actual or potential crossconnection by isolating within the premises contamination that may occur because of some undiscovered or unauthorized crossconnection on the premises; b. To eliminate existing connections between drinking water systems and other sources of water that are not approved as safe and potable for human consumption;
c. To eliminate cross-connections between drinking water systems and sources of contamination; and
d. To prevent the making of cross-connections in the future.
2. The City’s cross connection program is adopted pursuant to the State Water Resources Control Board guidance document entitled "Cross-Connection Control Policy Handbook (CCCPH),” dated July 1, 2025, as amended from time to time. In the event of a conflict between this Section 13.04.050 and mandatory provisions of the CCCPH, the terms of the CCCPH shall control.
3. It is unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation at any time to make or maintain or cause to be made or maintained, temporarily or permanently, for any period of time, any cross-connection between plumbing pipes or water fixtures being served with water by the City Water Department and any other source of water supply, or to maintain any sanitary fixture or other appurtenances or fixtures which by reason of their construction may cause ORDINANCE NO. 1201
June 10, 2025; Page 2
or allow backflow of water or other substances into the water supply system of the City or the service of water pipes or fixtures of any consumer of the City.
B. Cross-Connection Protection Requirements.
1. General Provisions.
a. Unprotected cross-connections with the public water supply are prohibited.
b. Whenever backflow protection has been found necessary, the City will require the water customer to install an approved backflow prevention device at their own expense for continued services or before a new service will be granted.
c. Wherever backflow protection has been found necessary on a water supply line entering a water customer's premises, then any and all water supply lines from the City's mains entering such premises, buildings, or structures shall be protected by an approved backflow prevention device. The type of device to be installed will be in accordance with the requirements of this Chapter.
2. Where Protection Is Required.
a. Each service connection from the City water system for supplying water to premises having an auxiliary water supply shall be protected against backflow of water from the premises into the public water system unless the auxiliary water supply is accepted as an additional source by the City, and is approved by the public health agency with proper jurisdiction.
b. Each service connection from the City water system for supplying water to any premises on which any substance is handled in such fashion as may allow its entry into the water system shall be protected against backflow of the water from the premises into the public system. This shall include the handling of process waters and waters originating from the City water system which have been subjected to deterioration in sanitary quality.
c. Backflow prevention devices shall be installed on the service connection to any premises having: (i) internal cross-connections that cannot be permanently corrected and controlled to the satisfaction of the State or local Health Department and the City; or (ii) intricate plumbing and piping arrangements or entry to all portions of the premises is not readily accessible for inspection purposes, making it impracticable or impossible to ascertain whether or not crossconnections exist.
3. Type of Protection Required.
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June 10, 2025; Page 3
a. The type of protection that shall be provided to prevent backflow into the approved water supply shall be commensurate with the degree of hazard that exists on the consumer's premises. The type of protective device that may be required (listing in an increasing level of protection) includes: double check valve assembly (“DC”), reduced pressure principle backflow prevention device (“RP”), and an air-gap separation (“AG”). The water user may choose a higher level of protection than required by the City. The minimum types of backflow protection required to protect the approved water supply, at the customer's water connection to premises with varying degrees of hazard, are given in Table 1. Situations not included in Table 1 shall be evaluated on a caseby-case basis and the appropriate backflow protection shall be determined by the City or health agency.
Table 1 TYPE OF BACKFLOW PROTECTION REQUIRED
Degree of Hazard Minimum
Type of
Backflow
Prevention
A. Sewage and Hazardous Substances.
1. Premises where the public water system is
used to supplement the reclaimed water
supply.
AG
2. Premises where there are waste water
pumping and/or treatment plants and there is
no interconnection with the potable water
system. This does not include a single- family
residence that has a sewage lift pump. A RP
may be provided in lieu of an AG if approved
by the health agency and the City.
AG
3. Premises where reclaimed water is used and
there is no interconnection with the potable
water system. A RP may be provided in lieu of
an AG if approved by the health agency and
the City.
AG
4. Premises where hazardous substances are
handled in any manner in which the
substances may enter a potable water system.
This does not include a single-family residence
that has a sewage lift pump. A RP may be
provided in lieu of an AG if approved by the
health agency and the City.
AG
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June 10, 2025; Page 4
5. Premises where there are irrigation systems
into which fertilizers, herbicides, or pesticides
are, or can be, injected.
AG
B. Auxiliary Water Supplies.
1. Premises where there is an unapproved
auxiliary water supply which is interconnected
with the public water system. A RP or DC may
be provided in lieu of an AG if approved by the
health agency and the City.
AG
2. Premises where there is an unapproved
auxiliary water supply and there are no
interconnections with the public water system.
A DC may be provided in lieu of a RP if
approved by the health agency and City.
RP
C. Fire Protection Systems.
1. Premises where the fire system is directly
supplied from the public water system and
there is an unapproved auxiliary water supply
on or to the premises (not interconnected).
DC
2. Premises where the fire system is supplied
from the public water system and
interconnected with an unapproved auxiliary
water supply. A RP may be provided in lieu of
an AG if approved by the health agency and
City.
AG
3. Premises where the fire system is supplied
from the public water system and where either
elevated storage tanks or fire pumps which
take suction from the private reservoirs or
tanks are used.
DC
D. Premises where entry is restricted so that
inspections for cross-connections cannot be made
with sufficient frequency or at sufficiently short
notice to assure that cross-connections do not
exist.
RP
E. Premises where there is a repeated history of
cross-connections being established or
reestablished.
RP
b. Two or more services supplying water from different street mains to the same building, structure, or premises through which an interstreet main flow may occur, shall have at least a standard check valve on each water service to be located adjacent to and on the property side of the respective meters.
Such check valve shall not be considered adequate if backflow protection ORDINANCE NO. 1201
June 10, 2025; Page 5
is deemed necessary to protect the City's mains from pollution or contamination; in such cases the installation of approved backflow devices at such service connections shall be required.
C. Backflow Prevention Devices.
1. Approved Backflow Prevention Devices.
a. Only backflow prevention devices that have been approved by the City shall be acceptable for installation by a water customer connected to the City's potable water system.
b. The City will provide, upon request, a list of approved backflow prevention devices to any affected customer.
2. Backflow Prevention Device Installation. Backflow prevention devices shall be installed in a manner prescribed in Section 3.3.2 (“Installation Criteria for Backflow Protection”) of the CCCPH. Location of the devices should be as close as practical to the customer's connection. The City shall have the final authority to determine the required location of a backflow prevention device. a. Air-Gap Separation. The air-gap separation shall be located on the customer's side of and as close to the service connection as is practical.
All piping from the service connection to the receiving tank shall be above grade and be entirely visible. No water use shall be provided from any point between the service connection and the air-gap separation. The water inlet piping shall terminate a distance of at least two pipe diameters of the supply inlet, but in no case less than one inch above the overflow rim of the receiving tank.
b. Reduced Pressure Principle Backflow Prevention Device. The approved reduced pressure principle backflow prevention device shall be installed on the customer's side of and as close to the service connection as is practical. The device shall be installed a minimum of 12 inches above grade and not more than 36 inches above grade measured from the bottom of the device and with a minimum of 12 inches side clearance. The device shall be installed so that it is readily accessible for maintenance and testing. Water supplied from any point between the service connection and the RP device shall be protected in a manner approved by the City.
c. Double Check Valve Assembly. The approved double check valve assembly shall be located as close as practical to the customer's connection and shall be installed above grade, if possible, and in a manner where it is readily accessible for testing and maintenance. If a double check valve assembly is put below grade it must be installed in a vault such that there is a minimum of six inches between the bottom of the vault and the bottom of the device, so that the top of the device is no more than a maximum of eight inches below grade, so there is a ORDINANCE NO. 1201
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minimum of six inches of clearance between the side of the device with the test cocks and the side of the vault, and so there is a minimum of three inches clearance between the other side of the device and the side of the vault. Special consideration must be given to double check valve assemblies of the "Y" type. These devices must be installed on their "side" with the tests cocks in a vertical position so that either check valve may be removed for service without removing the device. Vaults without an integrated bottom must be placed on a three-inch layer of gravel.
3. Backflow Prevention Device Testing And Maintenance.
a. The owners of any premises on which, or on account of which, backflow prevention devices are installed, shall have the devices tested by a person who is certified by an appropriate governing agency and has demonstrated their competency in testing of these devices to the City.
Backflow prevention devices must be tested at least annually and immediately after installation, relocation or repair. The City may require a more frequent testing schedule if it is determined to be necessary. No device shall be placed back in service unless it is functioning as required. A report in a form acceptable to the City shall be filed with the City each time a device is tested, relocated, or repaired. These devices shall be serviced, overhauled, or replaced whenever they are found to be defective and all costs of testing, repair, and maintenance shall be borne by the water customer.
b. The City will notify affected customers by mail when annual testing of a device is needed and also supply customers with the necessary forms which must be filled out each time a device is tested or repaired.
4. Backflow Prevention Device Removal. Approval must be obtained from the City before a backflow prevention device is removed, relocated, or replaced. a. Removal. The use of a device may be discontinued and the device removed from service upon presentation of sufficient evidence to the City to verify that a hazard no longer exists or is not likely to be created in the future;
b. Relocation. A device may be relocated following confirmation by the City that the relocation will continue to provide the required protection and satisfy installation requirements. A retest will be required following the relocation of the device;
c. Repair. A device may be removed for repair; provided the water use is either discontinued until repair is completed and the device is returned to service, or the service connection is equipped with other backflow protection approved by the City. A retest will be required following the repair of the device; and
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d. Replacement. A device may be removed and replaced provided the water use is discontinued until the replacement device is installed. All replacement devices must be approved by the City and must be commensurate with the degree of hazard involved.
D. User Supervisor. At each premises where it is necessary, in the opinion of the City, a user supervisor shall be designated by and at the expense of the water customer. This user supervisor shall be responsible for the monitoring of the backflow prevention devices and for avoidance of cross-connections. In the event of contamination or pollution of the drinking water system due to a crossconnection on the premises, the City shall be promptly notified by the user supervisor so that appropriate measures may be taken to overcome the contamination. The water customer shall inform the City of the user supervisor's identity on, as a minimum, an annual basis and whenever a change occurs.
E. Administrative Procedures.
1. Water System Survey.
a. The City shall review all requests for new services to determine if backflow protection is needed. Plans and specifications must be submitted to the City upon request for review of possible crossconnection hazards as a condition of service for new service connections. If it is determined that a backflow prevention device is necessary to protect the public water system, the required device must be installed before service will be granted.
b. The City shall discontinue service of water to any water user if a backflow prevention assembly required by this Chapter is not installed, correctly tested, and maintained, or if it is found that a backflow preventer assembly has been removed, by-passed, or if an unprotected cross-connection exists on the premises. Service will not be restored until such conditions or defects are corrected.
c. The water user’s system shall be open for Hazard Assessments at all reasonable times to authorized representatives of the City to determine whether cross-connections or other structural or sanitary hazards, including violations of these regulations, exist. When such a condition becomes known, the City shall deny or immediately discontinue service to the water user by providing for a physical break in service line until the water user has corrected the condition(s) or defect(s) in conformance with applicable State laws and the City’s Program. d. The City may, at its discretion, require a reinspection for crossconnection hazards of any premises to which it serves water. The City will transmit a written notice requesting an inspection appointment to each affected water customer. Any customer which cannot or will not allow an on-premises inspection of their piping system shall be required to install the backflow prevention device the City considers necessary.
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2. Customer Notification—Device Installation.
a. The City will notify the water customer of the survey findings, listing corrective action to be taken if required. The type of backflow preventer required shall meet the minimum requirements set forth in Table 1 above, but the survey’s listed corrective actions may require a more protective backflow preventer on a case by case basis depending upon the degree of hazard, actual or potential, or as otherwise specified in this Chapter.
b. The City recognizes the Los Angeles County Fire Department’s authority over fire protection systems and will not override its decisions unless a customer’s fire protection system is specifically designed to accommodate the pressure drop associated with a Reduced Pressure device. Since fire protection systems are approved and regulated by the Fire Department, any modifications to these systems fall outside the City’s jurisdiction. However, in the interest of public health and water quality protection, the City will strongly advise customers against adding chemicals to their fire protection systems.
c. The City’s water system shall be protected by an approved air-gap separation or reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly at the service connection on any premises where there is a high-hazard connection, as specified in Appendix D of the CCCPH.
d. The City’s water system shall be protected against backflow from the premises by the installation of a backflow prevention assembly in the service line on any premises where security requirements or other prohibitions or restrictions render it impossible or impractical to make conduct a cross-connection hazard assessment. In this case, the City will likewise require maximum protection, meaning an approved air-gap separation or an approved reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly that shall be installed in each service to the premises.
f. Devices will not require retrofitting in existing systems with a single detector check valve provided that the check valve is tested in accordance with National Fire Protection Association (“NFPA”) 25 requirements, does not require repair or replacement, and does not otherwise create a risk to public health. If the existing single detector check does not meet NFPA 25 requirements or requires repair or replacement, a minimum DC protection shall be installed and brought above grade. New customers are required to upgrade the backflow protection to current standards prior to water service being provided.
Notwithstanding this provision, installations that create a risk to public health will require retrofit.
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g. The City must ensure its distribution system is protected with no less than DC protection for a user premises with a fire protection system within ten years of adoption of the CCCPH.
3. Customer Notification—Testing and Maintenance.
a. The City will notify each affected water user when it is time for the backflow prevention device installed on their service connection to be tested. This written first notice shall provide the water customer 40 calendar days to have the device tested and submit results to the City. b. A second notice shall be sent to each water customer who does not have their backflow prevention device tested as prescribed in the first notice within the 40 calendar day period allowed. The second notice will give the water customer a 20 calendar day period to have his or her backflow prevention device tested.
c. A third and final notice will be given within a 10 calendar day period.
F. Water Service Termination. When the City encounters water uses that represent a clear and immediate hazard to the potable water supply that cannot be immediately abated, the City shall institute the procedure for discontinuing the City water service.
1. Basis for Termination. Conditions or water uses that create a basis for water service termination shall include, but are not limited to, the following items:
a. Refusal to install required backflow prevention device, b. Refusal for inspection of water use on the premises, c. Refusal to test a backflow prevention device,
d. Refusal to repair a faulty backflow prevention device, e. Refusal to replace a faulty backflow prevention device, f. Direct or indirect connection between the public water system and a sewer line,
g. Unprotected direct or indirect connection between the public water system and a system or equipment containing contaminants, h. Unprotected direct or indirect connection between the public water system and an auxiliary water system,
i. A situation which presents an immediate health hazard to the public water system.
2. Water Service Termination Procedures. To terminate water service, the City will take the following steps:
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a. The City shall provide reasonable notice to the customer in writing specifying the corrective action needed and the time period in which it must be done, as well as an opportunity for a hearing on the necessity for such termination where there is a non-immediate hazard to the City water system.
b. While the City will make reasonable efforts to advise the water user of intent to terminate water services where there exists an immediate health hazard to the public water system, the City may summarily terminate water service without prior notice in extenuating circumstances involving actual high hazard cross-connection control premises, as specified in Appendix D of the CCCPH, or other premises that require backflow protection provided by an air gap or a reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly identified during a hazard assessment, which pose a significant and immediate threat to the potable water supply.
c. If no corrective action is taken by the deadline, the City may terminate water service and lock the service valve. The water service will remain inactive until correction of violations has been approved by the City. d. The termination of water service due to non-compliance shall be subject to the City’s Delinquent Water Tagging/Shut-Off Reconnection fee.
3. Enforcement. The City has the authority to take corrective actions if a water user fails to comply with these provisions regarding the installation, inspection, field testing, or maintenance of required backflow prevention assemblies. Failure to install or adequately maintain cross-connection control constitutes a threat to the potable water supply.” SECTION 2. SEVERABILITY. If any section, subsection, subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase of this Ordinance is for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity or unconstitutionality shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the remaining portions of this Ordinance.
The City Council hereby declares that it would have adopted each section, subsection, subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause, or phrase of this Ordinance, irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections, subsections, subdivisions, paragraphs, sentences, clauses or phrases of this Ordinance be declared invalid or unconstitutional.
SECTION 3. CEQA. This Ordinance is exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines and is not a project which has the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment.
SECTION 4. ADOPTION AND EFFECTIVE DATE. This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect thirty (30) days after its second reading and adoption.
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SECTION 5. CERTIFICATION. The City Clerk shall certify the adoption of this Ordinance and shall cause the same to be posted and codified in the manner required by law.
INTRODUCED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Paramount, California on the ___ day of ____________, 2025.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Paramount at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Paramount, California on the ___ day of ___________, 2025.
Peggy lemons, Mayor
ATTEST
Heidi Luce, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Nicholas R. Ghirelli, City Attorney