Agenda packet — Paramount City Council, December 16, 2025 (part 3 of 3)

SECTION 2. The official Zoning Map of the City of Paramount adopted by Ordinance No. 178 on February 20, 1962 is amended as shown on the map attached hereto, marked Exhibit “A”, to be zoned PD-PS (Planned Development with Performance Standards). Said change shall be made on the official Zoning Map of the City of Paramount
Said zone change shall be subject to the following conditions:

Permitted Uses:

The following uses shall be permitted in this PD-PS zone:

1. One single-family dwelling. Lots shall be used for residential purposes only, and no building shall be erected, altered, placed, or permitted to remain on any lot other than a detached single-family dwelling. No part of the properties shall ever be used or caused, allowed, or authorized to be used in any way, directly or indirectly, for any business, commercial, manufacturing, mercantile, storing, vending, or other such nonresidential purpose other than those authorized under Home Occupation regulations.

2. Accessory dwelling unit (ADU) and/or junior accessory dwelling unit (JADU). An ADU and/or JADU shall be permitted pursuant to Chapter

17.104 (Accessory Dwelling Units) of the Paramount Municipal Code and State law.

3. Attached accessory buildings and structures, including private garages.

4. Animals. Dogs and cats as household pets, provided that the total number is any combination thereof shall not exceed three. Livestock, including cattle, sheep, goats, horses, rabbits, rodents, poultry, fowl, and pigeons are prohibited. Fish and invertebrates contained within an aquarium shall be permitted.

5. Family daycare homes. A family daycare home shall comply with all relevant regulations from all relevant State of California, Los Angeles County, and City of Paramount codes and regulations and maintain an active City of Paramount business license.

6. Home garden. A home garden is permitted as a complement or accessory to a completed development project.

7. Home occupation. A Home Occupation Permit may be granted pursuant to Section 17.08.020(E) of the Paramount Municipal Code.

8. Small licensed residential care facilities. A small licensed residential care facility shall comply with all relevant regulations from all relevant State of ORDINANCE NO. 1210

Page 3 ends

California, Los Angeles County, and City of Paramount codes and regulations and maintain an active City of Paramount business license.

Prohibited uses:

1. Short-term rentals. A short-term rental means a residential building or a portion of a residential building that is rented to a person for 30 consecutive days or less.

2. Inoperable vehicles. The storage of inoperable vehicles is prohibited.

Performance Standards:

1. Vehicle repair. The minor maintenance of vehicles (oil change, etc.) is permitted and shall be screened from public view. Major vehicle maintenance, repair or dismantling, and the storage of inoperable vehicles is prohibited within the PD-PS (Planned Development with Performance Standards).

2. Commercial trucks/trailers. The parking or storage of trailers or commercial trucks is prohibited.

3. Vehicle parking. The parking of any vehicle in any area of any lot, other than the garage or driveway, is prohibited.

4. Recreational vehicles. The outdoor parking or outdoor storage of any recreational vehicle shall not be allowed. Such recreational vehicles shall include, but are not limited to motorhomes, boats, travel trailers, and transport trailers.

5. Satellite dish. The installation of a satellite dish shall be at a location at the rear of the house or garage and shall not project above the peak of the roof so as not to be visible from the Colorado Avenue.

6. Pole/antennae. No television or radio poles, antennae, or other external fixtures other than those originally installed by the developer and any replacements thereof, shall be constructed, erected or maintained on or within any lot. No other than that originally installed by the developer and any replacements thereof, shall be constructed, erected or maintained on any lot.

7. Clotheslines. Clotheslines shall not be visible from the public right-of-way.

8. Trash/recyclables. Facilities for nonorganic recyclable materials, organic waste, and solid waste shall comply with Chapter 17.118 of the Paramount Municipal Code. Trash, recyclables, garbage, or other waste shall be kept only in sanitary containers provided by the City’s solid waste contractor ORDINANCE NO. 1210

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and the containers. shall be stored in a location approved by the Planning and Building Department. Each home shall store garbage and recyclable containers within garages, behind private area fencing, or in a location as approved by the Planning and Building Department. The containers shall not to be visible from the public right-of-way. No owner of a lot shall permit or cause any trash or refuse to be kept in the alley other than for scheduled trash pick-up days nor on any portion of the properties other than in receptacles customarily used.

9. Storage. The storage or accumulation of junk, trash, manure, and other offensive or noxious materials on any lot is specifically prohibited. No burning on any lot shall be permitted except in fireplaces or barbecues, if any. No lumber, metals, machinery, equipment, or building materials shall be kept, stored, or allowed to accumulate on any lot.

10. Modifications. No owner shall make any alterations or modifications to the exterior of the buildings, fences, railings, walls, or other improvements constructed on a property, or change the grade or drainage pattern of a property, without the prior consent of the Planning and Building Director.

11. Home gardens, front yard. With the exception of fruit trees, edible landscaping in the front yard shall be restricted to raised garden beds.

Raised garden beds shall be constructed of wood (free of rot), brick, masonry, landscape timbers, metal, ceramic, or synthetic lumber. With the exception of fruit trees, edible landscaping in the front yard shall not exceed a maximum height of 42 inches measured from the top of soil.

Edible plant materials shall be promptly harvested and removed when mature or ripe. Plants not harvested for consumption shall be promptly removed or tilled into the soil. Planting areas fallowed between growing seasons shall be covered with mulch or similar material or otherwise maintained in clean condition until the next planting period. Weeds shall be promptly removed. Actions shall be taken to prevent and eliminate pests.

12. Common area agreement. Homeowners and residents shall comply with all provisions of an agreement addressing common area access, and maintenance responsibilities (including utility location and access) between property owners that shall be recorded with the Los Angeles County Recorder following separate review and approval of the agreement by the City Attorney and City Engineer and prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy.

Development Standards:

1. Development Review Application. The development shall comply with all conditions of approval of Development Review Application No. 25:010 as approved by the Development Review Board.

ORDINANCE NO. 1210

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2. Setbacks. Building setbacks are to be as shown on the submitted site plan and made by reference a part of this zone change.

3. Parking. Parking shall be provided at a minimum rate of two garage spaces per unit and two driveway parking spaces per unit.

4. Driveways. Any driveway shall not be widened.

5. Roofing. Decorative roofing, which includes tile or asphalt composition shingles with a lifetime manufacturer warranty shall be maintained. 30- year and three-tab composition shingle are not considered decorative roofing material and are not permissible as reroofing material. Reroofing requires separate Planning Department review and approval of the material and color.

6. Signage. Each lot or parcel of land in this PD-PS zone may have the following signs:
a. Name plates not exceeding two square feet in area containing the name of the occupant of the premises.
b. Address numbers not exceeding six inches in height.

7. Mailboxes. Mailboxes shall be provided at a rate of one per unit. Said boxes shall be installed by the developer and shall be maintained in good condition entirely within the private property.

8. Fences, etc. No fence or hedge exceeding 42 inches in height shall be erected or permitted in the front setback areas on any lot. Chainlink fences are prohibited.

9. Security bars. No wrought iron, metal, steel, etc. burglar bars, shall be installed on exterior of any window. All exterior doors must be able to open without special knowledge or tools.

10. Tarps. The use of tarps is prohibited in front setbacks, side setbacks, rear yard areas, over driveways, and in parking and circulation areas.

11. Landscaping/irrigation. Landscaping and irrigation shall comply with Chapter 17.96 (Water-Efficient Landscape Provisions) of Title 17 (Zoning) of the Paramount Municipal Code.

12. Automobile maintenance. The minor maintenance of vehicles (oil change, etc.) is permitted and shall be screened from public view. Major vehicle maintenance and the storage of inoperable vehicles is prohibited.

ORDINANCE NO. 1210

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13. Security wire. No barbed wire, concertina wire, razor wire, or cut glass shall be used as a fence or part of a fence, wall, or hedge along any property line or within any required side, rear, or front yard.

Compliance with Chapter 17.72 (PD-PS, Planned Development with Performance Standards Zone) of the Paramount Municipal Code.

This zone change case shall comply with all conditions set forth in Chapter 17.72 (PD-PS, Planned Development with Performance Standards Zone) of the Paramount Municipal Code, Section 17.72.010 to 17.72.210, inclusive.

SECTION 3. California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). This project is exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act per 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. CEQA does not apply to projects where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity may have a significant effect on the environment.

SECTION 4. 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 5. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall take effect 30 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 13th day of January 2026.
____________________________________
Peggy Lemons, Mayor
Attest:
________________________
Heidi Luce, City Clerk
EXHIBIT “A”
Ordinance No. 1210/Zone Change No. 253
Existing Zoning
15529 Colorado Ave.

R-M (Multiple-Family Residential)
C-3 (General Commercial))
M-1 (Light Manufacturing)
C-M (Commercial-Manufacturing)
15529
Jefferson St.

Madison St. Colorado Ave.

Vermont Ave
Paramount Blvd.

Ordinance No. 1210/Zone Change No. 253
Proposed Zoning
15529 Colorado Ave.

R-M (Multiple-Family Residential)
C-3 (General Commercial))
M-1 (Light Manufacturing)
C-M (Commercial-Manufacturing) Colorado Ave.

Vermont Ave
Paramount Blvd.
15529
Jefferson St.

Madison St.

To: Honorable City Council
From: John Moreno, City Manager
By: John King, AICP, Planning and Building
Director
Date: December 16, 2025
SUBJECT: APPROVING ZONING ORDINANCE TEXT AMENDMENT NO. 39 TO AMEND TITLE 17 OF THE PARAMOUNT MUNICIPAL CODE

REGARDING THE PROHIBITION OF SHORT-TERM RENTALS AND

MAKING A FINDING OF EXEMPTION UNDER THE

CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT

BACKGROUND
This item is a request for the City Council to approve Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment (ZOTA) No. 39, prohibiting short-term rentals citywide.

The City Council adopted the Zoning Code or Zoning Ordinance (Title 17 of the Paramount Municipal Code) in 1962. Since then, the City Council has incrementally updated the Code when needed.

A short-term housing rental is the renting of a residential property for a period of less than 30 consecutive days. A rental can encompass the entire house or a room of a home, which may be a single-family home, duplex, apartment, mobile home, accessory dwelling unit (ADU), and other housing types. With websites like Airbnb, Vrbo, and other services creating a relatively simple platform and process for property owners to rent on a shortterm basis, short-term rentals have been growing in popularity.

With the exception of ADUs and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (JADUs), short-term rentals are not defined or expressly addressed in the Municipal Code. Because they are not expressly permitted, they are prohibited under the City’s Zoning Code (Title 17 of the Municipal Code).

On April 8, 2025, the City Council introduced Ordinance No. 1198/Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment No. 28, which included minor revisions to the Municipal Code for the purpose of maintaining conformity with State law, implementing the Paramount Housing Element, bringing internal consistency with the Zoning Ordinance, and clarifying outdated text.

Following discussion, the City Council expressed a desire to consider the portions of the ordinance related to the prohibition of short-term rentals separately.

On April 22, 2025, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 1198/Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment No. 28 with sections related to short-term rentals removed.

Agenda Report December 16, 2025
ORDINANCE NO. 1211 Page 2
On September 9, 2025, the City Council heard a report on short-term rentals. Planning and Building Department staff described the history of the existing prohibition of shortterm rentals in Paramount, provided a survey of surrounding cities indicating short-term rentals are commonly prohibited in the subregion, and detailed arguments in support of and in opposition to permitting limited or extensive short-term housing rentals. Following discussion, with City Council consensus, staff was directed to schedule a separate workshop for additional consideration of this item.

On October 14, 2025, the City Council directed staff to draft an ordinance strictly prohibiting short-term rentals in the City for City Council consideration. A copy of the agenda report, which includes the September 9, 2025 agenda report, is attached.

On December 2, 2025, the Planning Commission recommended that the City Council approve the draft ordinance.

DISCUSSION
Summary of Proposed Revisions
The proposed ordinance would update a number of sections of the Zoning Code to explicitly prohibit short-term housing rentals to more clearly state the existing prohibition.

Some of the provisions of the proposed ordinance include the following:
• Prohibiting short-term rentals in residentially developed properties citywide. • Prohibiting short-term rentals in the R-1 (Single-Family Residential), R-2 (Medium Density Residential), R-M (Multiple-Family Residential), and PD-PS (Planned Development with Performance Standards) zones.
• Prohibiting short-term rentals in multifamily housing developments when required by State housing law in the C-3 (General Commercial) and C-M (CommercialManufacturing) zones. • Prohibiting short-term rentals in a residentially developed legal nonconforming property located in a commercial or manufacturing zone.

Environmental Assessment
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.

FISCAL IMPACT
None.

Agenda Report December 16, 2025
ORDINANCE NO. 1211 Page 3

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 decisionmaking. The Strategic Outcomes were implemented to provide a pathway to achieving the City’s Vision. This item aligns with Strategic Outcome No. 1: Safe Community - Provide a safe place to live, work, and visit; and No. 6: Efficient, Effective, and Fiscally Responsible - Deliver an efficient and effective City government in a fiscally responsible, transparent and collaborative manner.

RECOMMENDED ACTION
Conduct a public hearing, read by title only, waive further reading, introduce Ordinance No. 1211, and place it on the January 13, 2026 agenda for adoption.

CITY OF PARAMOUNT

LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
ORDINANCE NO. 1211

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF

PARAMOUNT, APPROVING ZONING ORDINANCE TEXT AMENDMENT
NO. 39, AMENDING SECTION 17.04.010 (DEFINITIONS); ADDING SUBSECTIONS 17.08.020(L), 17.12.020(M), AND 17.16.040(N); AMENDING SUBSECTIONS 17.24.020(A)(40) AND 17.28.020(22); ADDING SECTIONS 17.44.200 AND 17.44.690; AND ADDING
SUBSECTION 17.72.150(B) TO TITLE 17 OF THE PARAMOUNT
MUNICIPAL CODE, PROHIBITING SHORT-TERM RENTALS CITYWIDE.

THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARAMOUNT DOES HEREBY ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:

SECTION 1. Purpose and Findings. The City Council finds and declares as follows:

A. California Constitution Article XI, Section 7, enables the City of Paramount (“the City”) to enact local planning and land use regulations; and B. The authority to adopt and enforce zoning regulations is an exercise of the City’s police power to protect the public health, safety, and welfare; and C. The City desires to ensure that development occurs in a prudently effective manner, consistent with the goals and objectives of the General Plan as updated and adopted by the City Council on August 7, 2007 and reasonable land use planning principles; and
D. The Planning Commission held a duly noticed public hearing on October 1, 2025 at which time it considered all evidence presented, both written and oral, and at the end of the hearing voted to adopt Resolution No. PC 25:036, recommending that the City Council adopt this Ordinance; and E. The City Council held a duly noticed public hearing on this Ordinance on December 16, 2026, at which time it considered all evidence presented, both written and oral.

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 to read as follows:

ORDINANCE NO. 1211

Page 2 ends

Short-term rental. A dwelling unit in whole or in part rented for a term shorter than 30 consecutive calendar days.

SECTION 4. Section 17.08.020 of the Paramount Municipal Code is hereby amended to add the following subsection to read as follows:

L. Rental housing. No dwellings units in whole or in part shall be rented for a term shorter than 30 consecutive calendar days.

SECTION 5. Section 17.12.020 of the Paramount Municipal Code is hereby amended to add the following subsection to read as follows:

M. Rental housing. No dwellings units in whole or in part shall be rented for a term shorter than 30 consecutive calendar days.

SECTION 6. Section 17.16.040 of the Paramount Municipal Code is hereby amended to add the following subsection to read as follows:

N. Rental housing. No dwelling unit in whole or in part shall be rented for a term shorter than 30 consecutive calendar days.

SECTION 7. Subsection 17.24.020(A)(40) of the Paramount Municipal Code is hereby amended in its entirety to read as follows:

40. Multifamily housing development only when required by State housing law.

Multifamily development proposed in any commercial zone shall comply with the objective design standards of the development regulations of the R-M zone. No dwelling unit in whole or in part shall be rented for a term shorter than 30 consecutive calendar days.

SECTION 8. Subsection 17.28.020(22) of the Paramount Municipal Code is hereby amended in its entirety to read as follows:

22. Multifamily housing development only when required by State housing law.

SECTION 9. Section 17.44.200 is hereby added to the Paramount Municipal Code to read as follows:

17.44.200 Rental housing in residentially developed properties.

ORDINANCE NO. 1211

Page 3 ends

No dwelling unit in whole or in part shall be rented for a term shorter than 30 consecutive calendar days in a residentially developed property. Short-term rentals are prohibited.

SECTION 10. Section 17.44.690 is hereby added to the Paramount Municipal Code to read as follows:

17.44.690 Rental housing in residentially developed legal nonconforming properties.

No dwelling unit in whole or in part shall be rented for a term shorter than 30 consecutive calendar days in a residentially developed legal nonconforming property located in a commercial or manufacturing zone.

SECTION 11. Section 17.72.150 of the Paramount Municipal Code is hereby amended to add the following subsection to read as follows:

B. Short-term housing rentals. A dwelling unit in whole or in part rented for a term shorter than 30 consecutive calendar days.

SECTION 12. 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 13. 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 14. 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.

ORDINANCE NO. 1211

Page 4 ends

PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Paramount this __ day of ____ 2026.

Peggy Lemons, Mayor
ATTEST
Heidi Luce, City Clerk
To: Honorable City Council
From: John Moreno, City Manager
By: John King, AICP, Planning and Building
Director
Date: October 14, 2025
SUBJECT: REPORT ON SHORT-TERM RENTALS

BACKGROUND
A short-term housing rental is the renting of a residential property for a period of less than 30 days. Websites such as Airbnb and Vrbo operate online platforms that facilitate the short-term housing rental process for property owners.

On September 9, 2025, the City Council reviewed an overview of short-term rentals as they relate to Paramount. Planning and Building Department staff described the history of the existing prohibition of short-term rentals in the City, provided a survey of surrounding cities indicating short-term rentals are commonly prohibited in the subregion, and detailed arguments in support of and in opposition to permitting limited or extensive short-term housing rentals.

The overview and options are included in the attached copy of the September 9, 2025 staff report for the short-term rental agenda item.

DISCUSSION
Adopting a more explicit prohibition of short-term rentals is the preferred option.

Alternatives include legalizing existing short-term rentals only, permitting short-term rentals with limits (such as distance, overall number in Paramount, or defined geographic area), and permitting short-term rentals with minimum limits.

During the City Council discussion on September 9, 2025, a property owner with an active Code Enforcement case regarding the unpermitted use of a single-family home for shortterm rentals provided public comment. The property owner, a three-year Airbnb host, explained that she is now in agreement that rentals over 30 days are preferred over shortterm rentals. Drawing on her experience as a short-term rental operator, the property owner pointed to the need for regular cleaning, disinfecting, monitoring; violations such as noisy parties, excessive drug and alcohol use (including marijuana and cocaine), and disruptions to neighbors; and unauthorized smoking and vaping.

Agenda Report October 14, 2025
REPORT ON SHORT-TERM RENTALS Page 2
At the conclusion of the September 9, 2025 discussion, the City Council requested a follow-up meeting to explore the primary recommendation and other options in more detail.

FISCAL IMPACT
None.

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 decisionmaking. The Strategic Outcomes were implemented to provide a pathway to achieving the City’s Vision. This item aligns with Strategic Outcome No 1: Safe Community - Provide a safe place to live, work, and visit.

RECOMMENDED ACTION
Provide direction to staff for the development of a short-term rental ordinance and receive and file.

To: Honorable City Council
From: John Moreno, City Manager
By: John King, AICP, Planning and Building
Director
Leslie Corrales, Assistant Planner
Date: September 9, 2025
SUBJECT: REPORT ON SHORT-TERM RENTALS

BACKGROUND
A short-term housing rental is the renting of a residential property for a period of less than 30 consecutive days. A rental can encompass the entire house or a room of a home, which may be a single-family home, duplex, apartment, mobile home, accessory dwelling unit (ADU), and other housing types. With websites like Airbnb, Vrbo, and other services creating a relatively simple platform and process for property owners to rent on a shortterm basis, short-term rentals have been growing in popularity.

Short-term Rental Prohibition History
With the exception of ADUs and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (JADUs), short-term rentals are not defined or expressly addressed in the Municipal Code. Because they are not expressly permitted, they are prohibited under the City’s Zoning Code (Title 17 of the Municipal Code).

In 2017, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 1090/Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment No. 7, establishing new regulations for ADUs. As part of the ordinance, ADU rentals were specifically limited to terms longer than 30 days in compliance with State law.

In 2021, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 1151/Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment No. 21, which extended the stated prohibition of short-term rentals in ADUs to also include Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (JADUs) to meet updated State law.

In addition to express prohibition of short-term rentals in ADUs and JADUs, the City Council has included similar prohibition language in regulations for housing developments in newly created PD-PS (Planned Development with Performance Standards) zones.

These projects include the 10-unit Jazmin at Orizaba, the four-unit development at the former Firehouse on Colorado Avenue, and the two-unit Habitat for Humanity project on Hunsaker Avenue.

Agenda Report September 9, 2025
REPORT ON SHORT-TERM RENTALS Page 2
City Council Direction
On April 8, 2025, the City Council reviewed the introduction to Ordinance No. 1198/Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment No. 28, which included minor amendments to a number of land use regulations. The draft ordinance included a provision expressly prohibiting shortterm rentals, or adding text declaratory of existing law. During the discussions on that date, the City Council requested a hold on such a prohibition, and the sections of the draft ordinance pertaining to short-term rentals were removed from the ordinance. On April 22, 2025, the City Council adopted Ordinance 1198 without references to minimum housing rental terms.

DISCUSSION
Survey
To help understand policies regarding short-term rentals in the Gateway Cities region, Planning Department staff surveyed neighboring cities. The following are the results.

City Allowed
in ADU?
Allowed
in main
homes?
Details Reasoning
Bellflower No No
Policy based – staff member mentioned
the city looking to prohibit them officially
but have not begun the process
Prohibited due to
community feedback due
to unpermitted operations
and number of complaints
Cerritos No No
By Code - short-term rentals, vacation
rentals, and home sharing activities are
not allowed citywide
City Council direction and
feedback
Downey No No
By Code: short-term rentals shall be
prohibited in the principal dwelling unit
or ADU.

Prohibited due to
community feedback and
City Council direction
Lakewood No No Rentals must be more than 30 days
Prohibited due to City
Council direction and
complaints of unpermitted
operations
Norwalk No No Policy - no short-term rentals allowed
Prohibited due to City
Council direction and
complaints
Pico
Rivera No No Policy - no short-term rentals allowed Information not available South
Gate No No Policy - no short-term rentals allowed Information not available Whittier No No Policy - no short-term rentals allowed
Prohibited due to
community feedback and
unpermitted operations
Agenda Report September 9, 2025
REPORT ON SHORT-TERM RENTALS Page 3
In summary, surrounding cities do not permit short-term housing rentals. All follow State law and prohibit short-term rentals in ADUs, and they extend the prohibition to all other housing types. Additionally, at present these cities do not anticipate changing their policies to adapt to upcoming major events such as FIFA World Cup 26 or the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Other cities do, in fact, permit, regulate, and collect revenue from short-term rentals.

Typically, these cities are the location of or near regional attractions. Examples include Anaheim, Inglewood, Pasadena, and San Clemente.

Reasons for Prohibition
An underlying theme in support of prohibiting short-term rentals is related to the ongoing housing affordability and availability crisis. Each home removed from the housing market for vacation rentals is a contributor to the housing crisis. Taken as a whole, an entire subsect of housing available for travelers becomes unavailable for permanent residents who are searching, often with increased desperation, for a means to remain in Paramount. Preserving housing for long-term rental or sale would help address housing needs.

Jurisdictions cite a number of other reasons for prohibiting short-term rentals. In terms of complaints related to specific unpermitted short-term rentals and neighborhood preservation, noise is the most common source of complaints received by other cities.

Other concerns are vehicle parking, litter and trash, and exceeding permitted occupancy.

In Paramount, residents have contacted the City to report unpermitted construction, such as an owner dividing a single-family home into two homes, in order to accommodate a short-term rental.

Unpermitted Short-term Rentals in Paramount
A review of the two most popular short-term rental websites – Airbnb and Vrbo – indicates approximately 13 properties in Paramount currently listed for rent. Some properties are readily identifiable by specific address, and others with no clear exterior photos showing neighborhood context are almost impossible to identify. Setting aside two outliers, the average rate per one-night stay is $207.

Potential Revenue
Although there are no hotels in Paramount, Municipal Code Chapter 3.24 (Transient Occupancy Tax – TOT) regulates the taxation of hotels. The Code sets the tax at 10% of the amount charged by a hotel operator. This TOT could potentially extend to short-term rentals at the future direction of the City Council.

Agenda Report September 9, 2025
REPORT ON SHORT-TERM RENTALS Page 4
Using the current $207 average per night as a baseline amount and multiplied by the 13 apparent unsanctioned short-term rentals in Paramount, this totals $2,691.00 per night in short-term rental charges. If these operators maintain guests at an average of 200 nights per year (which is an optimistic estimate), this totals $538,200 over the year. A TOT at the current rate of 10% would bring in $53,820 per year as tax revenue if each location was “fully” rented 200 nights per year. To be more conservative and realistic, the existing short-term rentals under a legalized system would generate TOT ranging from $13,455 (slightly less than an average of two nights of rentals each week) to $53,820 for the year.

The consequence of establishing short-term rentals as a permitted use (or discretionary use – requiring approval by the Planning Commission with a public hearing and conditional use permit) would naturally be the expansion of interest and more permanent housing converted to short-term rentals. The abovementioned range of $13,455 to $53,820 in annual tax revenue to the City could easily grow to $53,820 to $215,280 if the number of short-term rentals quadruples.

However, it should be clear that removing more housing units from the Paramount permanent housing market in favor of short-term rentals would further stress the already strained status of local housing affordability. If the City wishes to invest more funding toward housing assistance programs in the future, the added revenue from short-term rentals would be minimized or even negated.

Pros and Cons
The following chart summarizes the arguments for and against legalizing short-term rentals.

Pros Cons
Extra income to owners Less permanent housing
Creates jobs/supports small business Noise
Incentivizes owners to upgrade homes Trash/litter
Additional revenue to City
New revenue would be directed to permitting,
enforcement, housing assistance (no
meaningful net gain)
Supports neighborhood investment Detracts from neighborhood stability and character
SB 346 is a bill under consideration that will help
cities track rentals
Difficult to track rentals; SB 346 untested and
challenges from industry are expected
Meets need for temporary housing during major
events
Exacerbates parking
Agenda Report September 9, 2025
REPORT ON SHORT-TERM RENTALS Page 5
Summary
Cities are at a crossroads with competing issues and events at hand, and it is difficult to find an issue more immediate and pressing than housing. With housing affordability (both rental and ownership) worsening, most cities located away from the beach and amusement parks have opted to maintain a prohibition against short-term rentals. In addition to taking steps to preserve permanent housing, cities wish to preserve the character of residential neighborhoods and ensure nuisances such as noise, litter, and parking are not exacerbated by problematic short-term guests.

All points in favor and against short-term rentals considered, on balance it appears the best option for the community-at-large is to continue the existing prohibition against shortterm rentals. To better clarify the prohibition, the preferred option is to adopt an ordinance specifically declaring the prohibition of short-term rentals in the City’s residential zones.

However, if the City Council wishes to take a different direction, staff will draft an ordinance accordingly based on the requested timing.

Options
The following are possible options:
• No change. Maintain the prohibition of short-term rentals across-the-board and adopt an ordinance more explicitly declaring the prohibition. • Legalize existing short-term rentals. Adopt an ordinance prohibiting new short-term rentals but consider legalizing and regulating unpermitted short-term rentals established before a set date (such as operating before 2024). • Permit short-term rentals with limits. Adopt an ordinance allowing short-term rentals, excluding ADUs and JADUs, with limitation.
o Limit by distance.
o Limit by overall number throughout the city.
o Limit number within a defined geographic area (such as districts or even within a given property or building).
• Permit short-term rentals with minimal limits. Adopt an ordinance allowing short-term rentals in any residence without limitation except for ADUs and JADUs.

The following are other considerations:

Conditional use permit option. While it is uncommon for cities to require a conditional use permit (CUP) for short-term rentals, this is also a possibility. In doing so, the City could require a minimum number of parking spaces and a clear process for suspending or revoking a CUP.

Agenda Report September 9, 2025
REPORT ON SHORT-TERM RENTALS Page 6
Interim ordinance. One potential option is to implement an interim ordinance for shortterm rentals when the events surrounding the Olympics are more imminent. Doing so would allow a regulatory framework for short-term rentals on a temporary basis. Proper findings substantiating an immediate threat to public health, safety, or welfare would be required.

FISCAL IMPACT
None.

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 decisionmaking. Strategic Outcomes were implemented to provide a pathway to achieving the City’s Vision. This item aligns with Strategic Outcome No. 1: Safe Community – Provide a safe place to live, work, and visit.

RECOMMENDED ACTION
Provide direction to staff and receive and file.

To: Honorable City Council
From: John Moreno, City Manager
By: John King, AICP, Planning and Building
Director
Leslie Corrales, Assistant Planner
Date: December 16, 2025
SUBJECT: DRIVEWAY EXPANSION PROGRAM GUIDELINES

BACKGROUND
With a population of 52,546 within 4.8 square miles, Paramount’s density of 10,947 residents per square mile is one of the highest in the United States. Combined with high rates of car and other vehicle use (according to Census data, 87.1% of residents drive themselves to work), street parking supply is severely challenged.

In 2022, the City Council approved the Driveway Expansion Pilot Program which focused on the neighborhood of Paramount bounded by Garfield Avenue on the west, Façade Avenue on the east, Racine Avenue on the south, and Somerset Ranch Road on the north. The findings of the pilot program provided insight into the recommendations and requirements that should be permitted and prioritized. During the Pilot Program, eight homeowners participated freeing up approximately eight street parking spaces. The pilot program established a framework for best practices, ensuring that future implementation is both efficient and compliant with regulatory standards.

DISCUSSION
As an incentive to add more off-street parking, the Driveway Expansion Program as designed would reimburse up to 12 homeowners a maximum of $3,000 upon completion of a driveway widening project. In order to find a balance between providing additional parking areas and maintaining landscaped front yards (meeting goals for sustainability, water capture, aesthetics, and property values), guidelines similar to the pilot program are proposed. Citywide program availability is outlined in the following summary of guidelines.
• Properties be zoned R-1 (Single-Family Residential) or R-2 (Medium-Density Residential)
• Properties with a street length or frontage of 40 feet or less may allow for a driveway of up to 18 feet.
• Properties with a street length or frontage of 41 feet to 60 feet may allow for a driveway of up to 22 feet.
• Properties with a street length or frontage of 60 feet or more may allow for a driveway of up to 30 feet.

Agenda Report December 16, 2025
Driveway Expansion Program Page 2
• Expanded driveways generally must maintain at least five feet on the sides of the property for landscaped planters. As an exception, driveways on properties with less than 40 feet do not have to maintain this setback.
• Adjacent properties shall not have connecting driveways. They must be broken up by landscape planters or a 42-inch front fence.
• The application must be signed by all owners of a property. • The application must include a diagram or aerial photo with clearly identified measurements of the existing driveway and the proposed expansion. • Expansion of driveway approaches, defined as driveway entries (or ”driveway aprons“) located within the public right-of-way, are not included in the program. • The Planning and Building Director or designee may require replacement landscaping such as a tree to be planted to mitigate the loss of existing landscaped areas. • A minimum area of 100 square feet of concrete surface is required for reimbursement. • An expanded driveway area shall match the existing driveway material for a consistent appearance. Asphalt and decomposed granite are not reimbursable materials. • In order for reimbursement to occur, all work must begin after authorization by the Planning and Building Department.
• Planning and Building Department staff will inspect completed work to ensure all requirements are met before reimbursement is authorized. • All work must be completed in a professional manner, and the property must be in “broom clean” condition.
• All other R-1 (Single-Family Residential) and R-2 (Medium Density Residential) zone requirements are applicable.

FISCAL IMPACT
The proposed Driveway Expansion Program will have a fiscal impact of $36,000, which is fully budgeted in the FY 2026 budget.

Fund Division Account Description Amount
112 Residential 112-2122-5284 Driveway Program $36,000

RECOMMENDED ACTION
Review and provide input regarding the Driveway Expansion Program guidelines, approve the guidelines, and direct staff to implement the program.

To: Honorable City Council
From: John Moreno, City Manager
By: John King, AICP, Planning and Building
Director
Ivan Reyes, Associate Planner
Date: December 16, 2025
SUBJECT: APPROVING THE REPLACEMENT OF THE CENTRAL BUSINESS

DISTRICT ARCHITECTURAL GUIDELINES WITH COMMERCIAL
DESIGN GUIDELINES; APPROVING THE REPLACEMENT OF THE
ARCHITECTURAL GUIDELINES OF THE C-3 (GENERAL COMMERCIAL)

ZONE WITH THE COMMERCIAL DESIGN GUIDELINES AND

ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMERCIAL DESIGN GUIDELINES AS A

REQUIREMENT FOR THE C-M (COMMERCIAL-MANUFACTURING)
ZONE; AND MAKING A FINDING OF EXEMPTION UNDER THE
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT.

BACKGROUND
This item is a request for the City Council to (1) approve Resolution No. 25:043, approving the replacement of the Central Business District Architectural Guidelines with Commercial Design Guidelines; and (2) adopt Ordinance No. 1213/Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment (ZOTA) No. 37, approving the replacement of the architectural guidelines of the C-3 (General Commercial) zone with Commercial Design Guidelines and establishment of required Commercial Design Guidelines as a requirement for the C-M (Commercial-Manufacturing) zone.

In 1984, the City adopted the Central Business District Architectural Guidelines that guided development for decades. The Commercial Design Guidelines update is intended to modernize the guidelines for the Central Business District and commercial properties in the C-3 (General Commercial) and C-M (Commercial-Manufacturing) zones. The new design guidelines address aesthetics and will evaluate and update specific elements of the present guidelines. They will also provide new guidance for new and remodeled buildings that “frame” the streetscape by creating a vibrant, attractive pedestrian environment and a sense of place. This update included community engagement and resulted in guidelines that will inspire a high level of commercial design for the next generation of development.

Agenda Report December 16, 2025
RESOLUTION NO. 25:041/ORDINANCE NO. 1213 Page 2

DISCUSSION
Updates to the Commercial Design Guidelines include site access, parking and landscape within parking lots, setbacks, site planning, landmarks, parks, scenery, trash receptacles, street furniture, paving, colors, materials, forms, properties, uniformity, landscaping lighting, rear facades, site entries, security of buildings, signs, and service areas. This scope has accommodated community engagement from local stakeholders.

The outreach included an engagement program that targeted discussions with the community to identify preferred outcomes and confirm engagement goals and expectations. Outreach events included the Friday Night Market, the Eco-Friendly Fair, and a community workshop in July 2025.

The City Council reviewed early concepts of the plan on July 9, 2024. Particular attention has been given to landscaping requirements, following specific planting recommendations of the Community Aesthetics Committee and the Landscaping Committee.

Summary of Proposed Revisions
The proposed Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment would revise sections of Chapter

17.24 regarding the C-3 (General Commercial) zone and Chapter 17.28 regarding the CM (Commercial-Manufacturing) zone of the Paramount Municipal Code. Some of the provisions of the proposed ordinance include the following:
• Revising language from “architectural guidelines” to “commercial design guidelines” to reflect the update.
• Including new provisions in the C-M zone to ensure that qualifying projects meet the intent of the Commercial Design Guidelines.

Environmental Assessment
This ordinance is exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (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.

FISCAL IMPACT
None.

Agenda Report December 16, 2025
RESOLUTION NO. 25:041/ORDINANCE NO. 1213 Page 3

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 decisionmaking. The Strategic Outcomes were implemented to provide a pathway to achieving the City’s Vision. This item aligns with Strategic Outcome No. 3: Economic Health - Support a healthy, sustainable economy reflecting community values; and No. 6:

Efficient, Effective, and Fiscally Responsible - Deliver an efficient and effective City government in a fiscally responsible, transparent and collaborative manner.

RECOMMENDED ACTION
Conduct a public hearing and take the following actions:

A. Adopt Resolution No. 25:041.

B. Read by title only, waive further reading, introduce Ordinance No. 1213, and place it on the January 13, 2026 agenda for adoption.

City of Paramount
Commercial Design Guidelines
FINAL DRAFT - December 8, 2025

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
City of Paramount
John King
John Carver
Ivan Reyes
Sol Bejarano
Consultant Team
Gruen Associates
Image Credits: City of Paramount & Gruen Associates
(unless otherwise stated)
City of Paramount
Commercial Design Guidelines

TABLE OF CONTENTS
4 Private Realm:

Open Space Design 49

4.1 Introduction 50

4.2 Street-Facing Open Space 52

4.3 Pathways, Paseos, and Alleys 53

4.4 Parking Lots and Service Areas 55
5 Private Realm:

Building Design 57

5.1 Introduction 58

5.2 Massing and Form 60

5.3 Ground Floor Treatment 70

5.4 Upper Floor Treatment 71

5.5 Materials 72

5.6 Parking Garage Design 73
6 Special Conditions:

Commercial Core 75

6.1 Introduction 76

6.2 Compact Development 78

6.3 Block Structure 79

6.4 Large Sites 80

6.5 Intersections and Nodes 82

6.6 Parking 83
7 Appendix 85

7.1 Trees 86

7.2 Shrubs 89

7.3 Perennials, Succulents, Grasses 93

7.4 Ground Covers 97

7.5 Vines 101
1 Introduction 5

1.1 Purpose and Background 6

1.2 Vision and Guiding Principles 10

1.3 Goals and Objectives 12

1.4 Planning Framework 14

1.5 Planning Process 15

1.6 Administration of the Guidelines 16

1.7 The Commercial Areas Today 17
2 Public Realm 19

2.1 Introduction 20

2.2 Street-Facing Open Space 23

2.3 Connectivity Improvements 26

2.4 Public Realm Landscaping 28

2.5 Materials 32

2.6 Street Amenities 33
3 Private Realm:

Site Design 3

3.1 Introduction 38

3.2 Access 40

3.3 Front Setbacks 41

3.4 Landscaping 42

3.5 Parking Lot Location & Access 44

3.6 Transitions and Screening 45

3.7 Drop Off and Pick Up 46

3.8 Environmental Design 47

City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines
1 INTRODUCTION

AND VISION

1.1 Purpose and Background 6

1.2 Vision and Guiding Principles 10

1.3 Goals and Objectives 12

1.4 Planning Framework 14

1.5 Planning Process 15

1.6 Administration of the Guidelines 16

1.7 The Commercial Areas Today 17

WHY DESIGN GUIDELINES FOR
THE CITY OF PARAMOUNT?
The City’s General Plan provides policy guidance for the entire City’s development, and the built environment is directly guided by the zoning code and other municipal standards.

The Commercial Design Guidelines become a critical tool to address the unique needs and conditions of commercial areas within a city while still allowing the zoning standards to manage routine changes to the use of existing buildings.

The guidelines should be used by designers as a framework for decisions made during the design process, which ensures timely processing of applications, while minimizing revisions, delays and misunderstandings. Reviewers (i.e., staff, Development Review Board) will use the design principles to provide consistent and fair review of proposed projects. The City recognizes that each project must be considered individually, and is committed to a collaborative review process that has the shared objective (between project proponents, project reviewers, and other interested parties) of ensuring enduring and sustainable commercial areas, and promoting quality design. Flexibility in considering alternative approaches to good design allows the City to encourage design creativity, and avoid possible undue hardships.
6 - City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines FINAL DRAFT )Ζ*85(ɅREGIONAL LOCATION

INTERSTATE
105

INTERSTATE
110 INTERSTATE
710 INTERSTATE
605 INTERSTATE5

INTERSTATE
405

INTERSTATE
405
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A. PURPOSE
The City of Paramount has historically prided itself in its design initiatives that place an emphasis on maintaining a high quality of life for residents and a sense of place, thus preserving the city people are proud to call “home.”
The purpose of the Design Guidelines is to provide direction/ guidance to City staff, elected and appointed decisionmakers, and applicants on the design of public realm and private realm projects in all commercial areas within the City. This document is an update to the Central Business District
Architectural Guidelines, which were adopted in 1984.

The Commercial Design Guidelines will enable the City of Paramount to plan for and guide the City’s future to capitalize on the potential of commercial areas, and stimulate new private investment. While the 1984 Architectural Guidelines focused on building and site design characteristics of the Central Business District, the Commercial Design Guidelines expands the scope both geographically and topically by
addressing all commercial areas in the City, and including guidelines for the public realm (e.g., the design of the pedestrian environment and public space) in addition to the private realm (e.g., building design and site design).

B. LOCATION
The City of Paramount is located in the southeastern area of Los Angeles County and is approximately 4.9 square
miles in area (see Figure 1-1). The city shares a common !

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Compton, Lynwood, and the East Rancho Dominguez area of unincorporated Los Angeles County. Paramount is primarily a residential community with commercial and industrial areas.

The City of Paramount has over 50,000 residents and 3,000 businesses. Paramount Boulevard is the primary north-south major commercial arterial through the City, and Alondra Boulevard and Rosecrans Avenue are the primary east-west commercial arterials.

1.1 PURPOSE AND BACKGROUND
1 - Introduction
Bellflower ellflower
South Gate outh Gate
Downey
Compton
Lynwood
Los Angeles os Angeles
International Airport (LAX) nternational Airport (LAX)
Lakewood akewood
Long Beach ong Beach
Airport
Long Beach ong Beach
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Torrance orrance
Inglewood nglewood
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Los Angeles os Angeles
Buena Park uena Park
Paramount aramount
FINAL DRAFT City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines - 7 )Ζ*85(ɅEXISTING CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT, C-3 AND C-M COMMERCIAL AREAS C. AREAS TO APPLY THE GUIDELINES
As mentioned above, the Commercial Design Guidelines apply to all commercial areas in the City including, but not limited to, the Central Business District (see Figure 1-2). The Central Business District (CBD) is along portions of Paramount
Boulevard and Alondra Boulevard. Along Paramount Blvd,
the CBD extends from the southern boundary of the City to M
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parcels that are zoned C-3 (General Commercial) and C-M (Commercial-Manufacturing), as indicated in Figure 1-2.

D. DOCUMENT ORGANIZATION
This document is composed of six principal sections:

CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION AND VISION
The vision illustrates the City’s and community’s broad goals
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input that has been received at various community outreach events, as well as input by the Chamber of Commerce, and reviews by City staff, the Planning Commission, and City Council.

SOMERSET BLVD

ROSECRANS BLVD

FUTURE SOUTHEAST GATEWAY LINE

ALONDRA BLVD

PARAMOUNT BLVD

DOWNEY AVE

GARFIELD AVE

ORANGE AVE

LOS ANGELES RIVER
CHAPTER 2 - PUBLIC REALM
The public realm guidelines provide guidance within the public right-of-way which constitutes the public streetscape as a complementary component of the private realm
guidelines. This chapter will provide guidance on streetscape elements such as street furniture, landscaping, and lighting which will enhance the visual interest, attractiveness, and overall pedestrian-friendly environment in support of viable and vibrant commercial activity.

CHAPTERS 3, 4 AND 5 - PRIVATE REALM
These chapters are the heart of the commercial guidelines !

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CHAPTER 6 - SPECIAL CONDITIONS
While the Commercial Design Guidelines give direction for the design and development of commercial areas throughout the city, Chapter 6 addresses special conditions for the Central Business District .
1 - Introduction
8 - City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines FINAL DRAFT E. HISTORY OF PARAMOUNT
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became more valuable for development than milk production.

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followed by relatively uncontrolled growth, which led to an overbuilt environment. By the 1970s, while still basically a stable, middle-class town, areas of Paramount had fallen into blighted conditions.

Combining existing urban planning tools with programs of its own, the City began leaving its “Rust Belt” status behind in the 1980s. This led to Paramount being named an “AllAmerica City” by the National Civic League in 1988, and many of its innovative programs have attracted state and national

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issued a special commendation to Paramount for its
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Paramount Boulevard in the 1930s
City of Paramount Aerial
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1 - Introduction
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10 - City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines FINAL DRAFT

VISION STATEMENT
The Commercial Design Guidelines will support walkable, accessible, well-connected commercial environments, and provide guidance to enhance them with shopping, cultural, recreational, employment and housing opportunities, including key public and private realm amenities to create vibrant commercial areas.

1.2 VISION AND GUIDING PRINCIPLES
Public Realm as Complementary to Commercial Environment Diversity of Integrated Public and Private Realm Elements 1 - Introduction

GUIDING PRINCIPLES
To realize the vision, the guiding principles listed below inform the project goals detailed in the following section. Figure 1-3

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principles and goals of these guidelines, which include the Downtown commercial core, the adjacent major commercial corridors, and the future transit station.
ƒ Create a sense of place and enhance community identity. ƒ Facilitate compact, mixed-use development where
appropriate.
ƒ Create a comfortable and welcoming pedestrian
environment while acknowledging the continued use of
cars and other vehicles.
ƒ Enhance the vitality of commercial areas.
ƒ Ensure compatibility, cohesiveness, and consistency in urban design throughout the City.
ƒ Create a distinctive character and sense of place for commercial streets.
ƒ Encourage high-quality development and creative design. ƒ Provide clear design direction to project applicants, developers, designers, and Paramount Planning and
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design approaches.
ƒ Facilitate a clear and expeditious project review process. ƒ Articulate a vision for future commercial development that is sustainable and resilient.
ƒ Promote the reuse and revitalization of existing commercial centers by encouraging new private investment.
ƒ Promote quality development through project approval

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approach.
ƒ Ensure an excellence of design through appropriate
high-quality design, scale, and siting, and the use of
appropriate building materials and landscaping.

FINAL DRAFT City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines - 11 )Ζ*85(ɅVISION FRAMEWORK
Future Station
Gateway
Downtown Street Network
Future Southeast Gateway Rail
Major Corridors
Paramount Park + Middle School
Swap Meet
Los Angeles River
City Boundary
Central Business District

ORANGEGARFIELDPARAMOUNTDOWNEY

ROSECRANS

SOMERSET

ALONDRA
105 FWY
91 FWY
710 FWY
0 .25 .50 1 Mile

LOS ANGELES RIVER
1/4 Mile Pedestrian Shed
1/2 Mile Radius Shed
1 - Introduction
12 - City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines FINAL DRAFT : -

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Business District and C-3 and C-M zones, prioritize private areas with underutilized land and uses, and integrate other areas along major commercial corridors that have potential for short- and long-term change as shown in Figure 1-4. 5
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potential future commercial activity can thrive will also serve

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tool for an evolving commercial climate, while building on the C-3 and C-M zones to achieve commercial conditions unique to the City of Paramount.

Goal 1: Provide attractive commercial
corridors in support of
vibrant infill and mixed-use
development.
ƒ Encourage public and private amenities and infrastructure that complement the intensity of uses along major
commercial corridors, such as Paramount Boulevard
and Alondra Boulevard, including support of mixed-use
commercial projects that can be located at strategic
intersections.
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developments to be vertical and horizontal mixed-use
structures on existing underutilized land.

Goal 2: Grow employment-focused
opportunities for commercial
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use projects in C-M and C-3 zones, near the Freeways, and in the Central Business District (CBD).
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be strengthened by guidelines that support a diverse
environment.

Goal 3: Increase the amount, variety,
and quality of commercial
uses, such as restaurants, retail,
office, and hotel, along major
streets in the City.
ƒ Create supportive new retail in clusters at key intersections to maximize the success of businesses and tenants.

Intersections of focus include: Paramount/Alondra,
Paramount/Rosecrans, Paramount/Jackson, Paramount/
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1.3 GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
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FINAL DRAFT City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines - 13 ORANGE GARFIELD PARAMOUNT DOWNEY

ROSECRANS

SOMERSET

ALONDRA
105 FWY
91 FWY
710 FWY
0 .25 .50 1 Mile

LOS ANGELES RIVER
Future Station
Future Southeast Gateway Rail
City Boundary
Potential Ground Floor Commercial
C-3 & C-M Commercial Zones
Los Angeles River
Central Business District
)Ζ*85(ɅNETWORK OF PARCELS WHERE THE COMMERCIAL DESIGN GUIDELINES APPLY 1 - Introduction
14 - City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines FINAL DRAFT

1.4 PLANNING FRAMEWORK
A. RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER

PLANS, CODES, AND PROJECTS
This section introduces some key citywide and localized

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PARAMOUNT GENERAL PLAN
The City of Paramount adopted the current General Plan in LJJQ:-

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The General Plan is the overarching policy document for the City and all land use and mobility regulations must comply with its provisions, as mandated by California state law. The Commercial Design Guidelines is generally consistent with the intent, goals, and policies of the Paramount General Plan.

PARAMOUNT MUNICIPAL CODE - ZONING
The Paramount Municipal Code (PMC) implements the
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Title 17 of the PMC includes conventional zoning regulations

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Plan (Chapter 17.84).

Paramount has two “traditional” commercial zones – the
C-3 (General Commercial) zone and the C-M (CommercialManufacturing) zone. Presently the C-3 zone directly requires all buildings to “conform to the adopted architectural
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PUBLIC SPACES DESIGN STANDARDS
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NORTH PARAMOUNT GATEWAY SPECIFIC PLAN
This plan guides how areas within a half-mile of
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accommodate transit-supportive development while

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identifying active mobility improvements and community
development opportunities for residents and businesses.

It will also support sustainability efforts and community health through sustainable design and reduction in vehicle miles traveled.

PUBLIC ART MASTER PLAN (PAMP)
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vision for the selection, placement, growth, and ongoing management of public art around the City. The PAMP guides future expenditures and strengthens the city’s overall public art program.

SOUTHEAST GATEWAY LINE
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connect southeast corridor cities from Artesia to Downtown Los Angeles. The corridor is approved to pass through the City of Paramount, including a station near the intersection of Paramount Boulevard and Rosecrans Avenue, which is north of the Central Business District. A second station is located at )2 / KJO#
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BELLFLOWER - PARAMOUNT ACTIVE

TRANSPORTATION PLAN
The City of Paramount approved The Active Transportation 6
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make improvements to make bicycling and walking more
safe and enjoyable.

Paramount
Park
Progress
Park
Tanner
Paramount
High
Alondra
Middle
Abraham
Lincoln
Major Lyn
Mokler
Paramount Park Middle
ackson
Middle
Wesley
Gaines
Paramount High
West Campus
Somerset Blvd
Garf ei dl Ave
Alondra Blvd
Downey Ave
Madison St
Orizaba Ave
Virg ni ai Ave
Georgia Ave
2nd St
Ve mr ont Ave
Jackson St
3rd St
California Ave
Harrison St
Jefferson St
M ni nesota Ave
nI d ai na Ave
1stSt
Monroe St
Texaco Ave
Ill ni o si Ave
Colorado Ave
Exeter St
Adams St
Petrol St
Contrera
Richfield St All America City Way
Fairlock Ave
W ei mer Ave
Bix el r Ave
Lake Ave
Ives St
Rosales Aly
Parkshire Ct
Naranja Ave
Tepic Dr
Co ol ny Ct
C el arbrook St
Eureka Ave
Fairton St
Rancho V
Rancho C el mente Dr
Allen Ave
Gwenchris Ct
Avocado Ave
Sandy Ln
Indiana Ave
Alondra Blvd
Illinois Ave
Adams St
Jackson St
Je mt ore Ave
Monroe St
Co ol rado Ave
Fanshaw Ave
nI d ai na Ave
Passage Ave
Harrison St
Adams St
WiemerAve
Bixler Ave
Passage Ave
Jefferson St Verdura Ave
Paramount B vl d
Monroe St
Marcelle St
Jefferson St
Madison St
Orizaba Ave
Adams St Adams St
Chester St
Motz St
W ei mer Ave
Madison St
Ranc Ceron
Rancho Verde Dr
Rancho Serena Dr
Garf ei dl Ave
Downey Ave
Cal el Las Brisas Allen St
Base Map Features Amendments
Clearwater
East Specific Plan
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1 - Introduction
FINAL DRAFT City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines - 15 A. PUBLIC OUTREACH
The Project Team conducted a series of public outreach
efforts to solicit feedback from the community regarding different approaches to developing the Design Guidelines.

The Project Team staffed an information booth at City events on the following dates:
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At each event, the Project Team presented to the public the

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of the 1984 Commercial Business District Architectural
Guidelines, other city plans, and input from City staff and the community for this update effort. The Project Team
presented both informational boards as well as interactive boards where participants could apply stickers to indicate

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approaches presented.

In addition, the Project Team presented the draft Commercial Design Guidelines at a community engagement event on
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before presenting to the Planning Commission and City
Council.

KEY CONCERNS
ƒ Ensure a walkable and safe Civic Center and Downtown
area along Paramount Boulevard.
ƒ Enhancing the historic character of Paramount’s
Downtown through preservation and reuse.
ƒ Continue the lighting that exists in the Downtown area. ƒ +$

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not bright and not all beige.
ƒ Create guidelines in support of youth-related commercial uses and activity.
ƒ Include guidelines that integrate mixed-use housing with commercial activity.
ƒ Consider more opportunities for outdoor dining to create vibrant commercial environments.
ƒ Consider sustainable solutions such as solar panels to improve the commercial environment.
ƒ Consider a variety of open spaces such as courts and
plazas for people to gather, and continue to enhance
streetscapes with more street trees and planting.
ƒ Be sensitive to scale and context such as building height. ƒ Improve connectivity with transitional spaces such as paseos.
ƒ More parking is needed but more shared parking
opportunities should be included to better utilize land. ƒ Incorporate artwork into the guidelines.
ƒ Improve bike amenities such as bike racks and storage.

1.5 PLANNING PROCESS
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Commercial Design Guideline Concepts Presented
1 - Introduction
16 - City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines FINAL DRAFT A. GENERAL ADMINISTRATION
The design review process implemented through the
Planning Division of the Planning and Building Department is supported by the City’s Development Review Board (DRB). :

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projects: 1) Development Review Board/Planning Commission

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Commission and City Council for any project requiring
the creation of lots, including condominium projects; 3) Nondiscretionary approval for smaller additions, remodels, or

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1. Development Review Board approval should be obtained in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 17.60 of
the Paramount Municipal Code. The Board may approve,
modify, conditionally approve, or deny an application.

The Development Review Board may require additional
studies or development provisions at the time of site plan review for individual projects. Recommendations may
include detailed parking, noise, vibration, and/or odor !

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ensure compatibility between different land use types.

L Prior to the creation of any lots, a tentative parcel or tract map should be processed in accordance with the
provisions of Title 16 of the Paramount Municipal Code. The Planning Commission may approve, modify, conditionally
approve, or deny said application. Administrative approval

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B. AMENDING THE GUIDELINES

REQUIREMENT AND PROCEDURES
The Commercial Design Guidelines may be amended at
any time in the same manner and process by which the
Guidelines were originally adopted. An amendment or
amendments should not require a concurrent General Plan amendment unless by determination of the Planning and
Building Director, or if the General Plan goals, objectives, policies, or programs would be substantially affected by the proposed change.

MINISTERIAL ACTION
The addition of new information to the Commercial Design Guidelines that does not change the effect of any concepts or regulations may be made administratively by the Planning and Building Director, subject to appeal to the Planning Commission.

1.6 ADMINISTRATION OF THE GUIDELINES
The Commercial Design
Guidelines is a tool to implement
the Paramount General Plan and
is intended to guide the design
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projects for commercial areas. The
goals of the Design guidelines are
aligned with the General Plan’s
goals as follows:
1 Increase walking,
bicycling, and
transit ridership
and reduce
vehicle miles
traveled
2 Facilitate
compact, mixed
use development
3 Increase
economic activity
4 Facilitate
the public
investment of
infrastructure
improvements
5 Streamline the
review process
for future infill
development
projects
1 - Introduction
FINAL DRAFT City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines - 17 Paramount is a unique place, known for its successful
transformation into an attractive small city graced by treelined neighborhoods, white picket fences, public art, pocket parks, and landscaped boulevards. The following page gives a summary of the current land use, urban design, mobility, and public realm conditions within the commercial areas today.

1.7 THE COMMERCIAL AREAS TODAY
A. LAND USE
The City is generally comprised of four land uses: singlefamily residential, multi-family residential, commercial, and industrial. Medium-density residential can also be found at various areas in Paramount. The businesses within the study area represent a range of general commercial uses including

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City there are very few vacant parcels.

B. URBAN DESIGN
Many of the commercial areas have traditional strip retail and multi-family buildings built in the 1970s and 1980s along its corridors. This existing pattern is typically inward looking and does not activate the street. Auto-oriented retail is also a dominant use along many major corridors such as Rosecrans and often includes surface parking and limited landscaping. 9"

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walls, little to no vegetation, limited windows, and sidewalkadjacent parking lots. These characteristics do not reinforce a positive pedestrian experience. Portions of Paramount Boulevard do have large street trees and 15 foot-wide
sidewalks/parkways which with additional enhancements
could foster excellent pedestrian connections and support commercial activity.

C. MOBILITY AND PUBLIC REALM
The primary roadways in the City include the Paramount, -

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travel which serve as the core for commercial activity in Paramount. Paramount Boulevard provides north-south
connectivity across the City and connects the City to the I-105 freeway and the regional freeway system as well as the cities to the north and south of Paramount. Rosecrans Avenue provides east-west connectivity within Paramount and to the adjacent cities spanning from Norwalk in the east to Manhattan Beach to the west. The mentioned arterials, as well as many of the other local streets, have on-street parking on both sides of the roadway.
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include All American Park, Paramount Park, Progress Park, 9 6

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1 - Introduction

City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines
2 PUBLIC REALM

2.1 Introduction 20

2.2 Street-Facing Open Space 23

2.3 Connectivity Improvements 26

2.4 Public Realm Landscaping 28

2.5 Materials 32

2.6 Street Amenities 33
20 - City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines FINAL DRAFT This Chapter provides guidance to both City staff and
private developers for the design of streetscape elements in the public realm; these include all physical components in the public right-of-way, including roadways, parkways (landscaping strips), street trees, sidewalks, and open space.

These public realm guidelines also apply to areas in private setbacks that are publicly accessible, such as plazas, seating areas, and extended sidewalks.

A. PUBLIC REALM FRAMEWORK
Providing safe, reliable, and accessible public realm network to and from destinations, including transit, is a fundamental component of a successful commercial environment. As
development opportunities are introduced, certain amenities should be added to ensure pedestrians, cyclists, visitors, and commuters are able to safely and comfortably move around the city.

Figure 2-1 illustrates the public realm framework,
emphasizing the importance of a connectivity network and access throughout the City of Paramount and the Central Business District (CBD), including its downtown core. The map establishes streets in green as the primary commercial corridors connecting commercial and public open space as described in this chapter.

Existing open space, such as parks, are accompanied by
quarter-mile radii to indicate accessible green spaces
within a 5-minute walk to ensure that pedestrians, cyclists, visitors, and commuters can comfortably navigate the city

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also act as complementary connections, along with major commercial corridors, to commercial activity throughout the City of Paramount. As development progresses, integrating amenities that enhance public streetscapes, open space, mobility, and public safety will be crucial to maintaining the dynamic and connected character of the City’s commercial environments.

2.1 INTRODUCTION
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2 - Public Realm
FINAL DRAFT City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines - 21 )Ζ*85(ɅPUBLIC REALM FRAMEWORK ORANGE

GARFIELDPARAMOUNTDOWNEY

ROSECRANS

SOMERSET

ALONDRA
105 FWY
710 FWY
91 FWY
0 .25 .50 1 Mile

LOS ANGELES RIVER
Future Station
Future Southeast Gateway Rail
City Boundary
Major Corridors
Los Angeles River
Existing Parks
Central Business District
1/4 Mile Pedestrian Shed
Major Commercial Corridors
2 - Public Realm
22 - City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines FINAL DRAFT C. OTHER SPECIAL FEATURES

AND MITIGATIONS

1. Special Features. To encourage social interaction, activate a public space and provide a unique identity for an area. 9

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encouraged. Water could introduce a sense of relaxation

2. Transit User Amenities. Collaborate with public agencies at transit stations to include park or plaza space with amenities for transit users such as benches, water
fountains, waste receptacles, lighting, etc.

3. Enhance Existing Parks. Existing parks should have
enhanced connections to neighboring destinations such
as Downtown and the future transit station.

4. Sound Walls. Where possible, erect a sound wall between new development and an adjacent freeway to help serve
as a noise and air pollution barrier.

5. Vegetation Buffers. Plant vegetation barriers between the freeway/high volume roadway and developments to help
with pollution reduction.

6. Green Streets and Air Pollution Mitigation. Plant
trees on streets with housing development and along
commercial corridors to mitigate air pollution and to help reduce temperatures in warmer months.

B. NEIGHBORHOOD CHARACTER

IN PUBLIC SPACES

1. Public Art. Commission local artists to decorate
infrastructure such as utility boxes, blank walls adjacent to or visible from major arterials, and on pavement as part of temporary installations.

2. Cultural Preservation and Resiliency. Preserve cultural institutions, events, public art, and urban design features wherever possible. Examples of cultural events include
farmers markets, art walks, festivals, block parties, holiday parties, etc.

3. Monument/Signature Trees. Where appropriate,
establish a signature tree for the commercial areas to
be planted at key locations throughout the city including in parkways as a street tree, in public parks and plazas, and at the future transit station. Monument trees for
commercial areas should be relatively low maintenance,
vibrant or colorful, preferably shade-providing, and

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points throughout the city and within the Downtown area

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FINAL DRAFT City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines - 23

2.2 STREET-FACING OPEN SPACE
A. OPEN SPACE TYPES

1. Town Square. .

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a gridded street system and framed by active uses. Town 9 !

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a public building such as a cathedral or a civic building.

They include features including a fountain, space for large events, performance space like a band shell, sculpture, sitting areas, cafes, and landscaping for stormwater

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a) The town square should be within a 5- to 10-minute
walking distance of the most intense portions of the
commercial areas, such as the Downtown core, and
appeal to diverse multi-generations.
b) Amenities to consider for the town square include
arbors, trellises, sun terraces, decks, art installations, concert and performance spaces, formal seating
areas, secondary sitting areas such as seating walls
and steps, lighting, focal points, outdoor dining
areas, recreational activities, bicycle hubs, shared
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kiosks, trees, and landscaping with a variety of color
and forms.

2. Plazas. Plazas are diverse in scale and character, and typically create a vibrant pedestrian environment. Plazas

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for a variety of plaza types such as a transit plaza, street plaza, and gateway plaza. Transit plazas are open spaces adjacent to a transit station and should serve rail and/or multiple bus lines with passenger amenities including
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public open spaces immediately adjacent to a sidewalk
or an extension of the sidewalk. Gateway plazas are open spaces in front of a major building to operate as a gateway or entrance to the building and may be privately owned
but open to the public.
a) Each plaza should contain pedestrian amenities

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seasons and times of day.
b) Plazas should be distinct places which are visible
and easily accessible to people from the public street
and connected to the pedestrian and bicycle network
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c) Amenities to consider for the plaza include arbors,
trellises, sun terraces, decks, art installations,
concert and performance spaces, formal seating
areas, secondary sitting areas such as seating walls
and steps, lighting, focal points, outdoor dining
areas, recreational activities, bicycle hubs, shared
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kiosks, trees, and landscaping with a variety of color
and forms.

3. Neighborhood Park. A neighborhood park is typically
recreation-oriented with children’s playgrounds,
community gardens, picnicking, and could include
swimming, tennis, or basketball courts as well as passive landscaped areas. The neighborhood park could be public or private. If private it may be a part of a housing or mixed use development.
a) Each neighborhood park’s uses and design should
respond to the individual needs and character of a
neighborhood.
b) If on private property, the park should be designed to intuitively welcome the public by its visibility through limited barriers from the sidewalks and streets.
c) The programming of existing neighborhood parks
and recreation centers should be regularly monitored
and adapt to new trends such as skate parks, soccer
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Water Feature in Commercial Plaza
2 - Public Realm
24 - City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines FINAL DRAFT

4. Pocket Parks. Pocket parks offer small areas for sitting, dining, and recreation, and could be located on public
or private property. Privately owned public spaces may
be internal courtyards, a sidewalk-adjacent easement
designated for outdoor dining, or any other open spaces on private property designated for public uses or connectivity.

A variety of social and recreational functions could take place in pocket parks, and certain pocket parks could be designed for a unique use, such as a dog park. Potential elements include lighting, permeable or decorative

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seating, planting, trees, water features to mask noise,

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information signage. “Pocket parks” are encouraged
between buildings, in vacated streets or alleys, at street intersections, and at other publicly accessible locations to provide areas for congregating and relaxing, promoting a sense of “community.”
a) Design of parks should accommodate a diversity of
users although some depend on simplicity; universal
design could be devoted to specialty users, such as a
children’s playground or a dog park.
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paving, LED lighting, solar lighting, drought-tolerant
landscaping, and canopy trees for shade should be
incorporated.
c) Program parks to be integrated with surrounding
uses, such as a coffee shop, restaurant, or other
businesses.
d) Exercise equipment can be installed for public use.

5. Linear Park. A linear park is a wide landscaped area parallel to a public street curb, a rail line, or a busway and used by pedestrians, bicyclists, joggers and other social, health and recreational opportunities. While similar
to paseos, linear parks can be seen as extensions of a
standard street right-of-way. A linear park may also be in a wide landscaped median of a public street.
a) Curb cuts and entrances for pedestrian/vehicular
and bicycle crossings should be designed to provide
safe and attractive pedestrian access.
b) Pedestrian and bicycle pathways should cross at
signalized perpendicular street intersections with
consideration for separate striping for pedestrians
and bicyclists.
c) Connecting pathways should meander through
canopy trees for shade and colorful planting with
active recreational and passive places dispersed as
appropriate.
d) The character of linear parks could vary from low
maintenance drought tolerant landscaping with
bioswales to vibrant colorful planting with water
features and art, and to an active market space
atmosphere.

6. Pedestrian Mall. Providing a sense of place and history involves creating great urban spaces but also preserving, where appropriate, landmarks and historic buildings

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street reclaimed for pedestrians, active transportation, and transit, often called a pedestrian mall, with dense

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Linear Park
2 - Public Realm
FINAL DRAFT City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines - 25 a) Pedestrian malls could be considered where they
may operate as the main street, or in Commercial
areas with a strong market for retail, restaurants, and entertainment uses such as tourist destinations and
university settings.
b) For economic viability, pedestrian malls should extend across multiple blocks, have frequent programming
of events, and be designed with consistent textured

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signage, art work, and dramatic lighting.
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be given to incorporating a two-lane vehicular path
that can be open and closed depending on events
and anticipated crowds. This roadway space could be
designed curbless with bollards.
d) Active ground-level uses with large clear windows
and entrances from the pedestrian mall is essential.

7. Outdoor Dining Areas. Roofed and unroofed outdoor
dining areas along major commercial corridors such as
Paramount and Alondra Boulevards (see Figure 2-1) are
subject to the following guidelines:
a) The outdoor dining area should be located
immediately adjacent to the establishment with
which it is associated. It can be located on an extended sidewalk area, within the maximum setback area,
or within the public right-of-way upon obtaining
an encroachment permit as approved by the Public
Works Director or designee. An outdoor dining area
to be shared between establishments within 50 feet
of each other with a connecting path may vary from
these requirements as approved by the Director.
b) An accessible path of travel should be maintained for pedestrian and disabled access in compliance with
the Americans with Disabilities Act to and within the
customer dining area. The path of travel should be not
less than four feet in width and should comply with
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reference into the PMC.
c) The restaurant operator should maintain the outdoor
dining area in a clean and safe condition at all times, and properly dispose of all solid and liquid waste
generated by the operation.
d) Within any setbacks or required landscaping, no
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and the fence, wall, or hedge should be 50 percent
transparent for visual connections to commercial
building frontages and for safety.

8. Public Amenities. Project planning should include public amenities wherever possible – open courtyards seating
areas, water features, etc. should be incorporated to
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26 - City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines FINAL DRAFT A. ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION

1. Bicycle & Pedestrian Safety
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vehicular speeds.
b) Provide attractive, well-lit pedestrian paths along
major arterials.
c) Analyze bicycle and pedestrian collisions and provide safety enhancements to address areas with a high
number of collisions.

2. Sidewalks and Pedestrian Pathways
Provide adequate sidewalk widths to accommodate
pedestrians and amenities such as canopy street trees
within the street right-of-way:
a) Along arterials, provide a combined sidewalk and

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pedestrians walking side by side and space for street
trees, street lights and other pedestrian amenities.
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clear walking area and 5’ for amenities.
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increase sidewalk width and reduce pedestrian
crossing lengths at crosswalks.
d) Provide street lighting at regular intervals along all streets; ensure street trees are added such that they
do not block or prohibit the addition of street lighting. e) Along commercial corridors, supplement traditional
street lighting with pedestrian lighting to create an
attractive sidewalk environment for pedestrians.

B. ROADWAY AND CURB DESIGN

1. Crosswalks. To alert motorists that pedestrians are

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crossings, and advance yield lines at uncontrolled
crossings.

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and minimize impacts on the community such as cut-

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3. Street Layouts. Discourage “superblocks” which span
more than 400 feet between intersections and cul-desacs. Where possible, encourage attractive street vistas, or street-level viewsheds, terminating at destinations
such as transit stations or other key landmarks such as major civic and commercial buildings or public parks.

4. Curb Cuts and Driveway Widths. : &

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multiple vehicle access points along major streets. Joint use or combined driveways are encouraged. The width of
driveway area cuts should be minimized.

5. Pedestrian Countermeasures. To make an area safer for pedestrians, include devices such as median refuge areas, pedestrian-activated crosswalk signals and beacons, and countdown timers at non-signalized intersections.

6. Street Furniture. Along major commercial arterials,
provide pedestrian and bicycle amenities such as

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decorative paving, and public art. Establish a minimum
level of street furniture to provide at all transit stops, and add more furniture at higher ridership stops.

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2.3 CONNECTIVITY IMPROVEMENTS
The following guidelines are informed by recommenndations (Ġ#
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2 - Public Realm
FINAL DRAFT City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines - 27 C. CURB EXTENSIONS

1. General. A curb extension (also known as a bulb-out) is a portion of the sidewalk that is extended into the
on-street parking lane, typically at intersections. Where there is on-street parking approaching an intersection
along Paramount and Alondra Boulevards, and when the
City Engineer determines the installation is safe and
appropriate, a curb extension should be created. Curb
extensions reduce the distance that pedestrians need to walk to cross the street, make pedestrians more visible to motor vehicles, cause drivers to reduce speed by narrowing the roadway, and provide space for pedestrian amenities (e.g., street furniture, bike racks, etc.) and environmental elements (e.g., bioswales).

2. Criteria for Locations. Curb extensions should be installed in locations where they won’t interfere with bicycle lanes or separated bikeways. If these treatments are needed, then additional design features such as ramps, or half-sized curb extensions should be considered. Curb extensions
are optimal at intersections where right-turning volumes are limited, as the design precludes the ability to provide a dedicated right-turn lane.

D. FIRST/LAST MILE CONNECTIONS

1. Continuous Networks. Provide continuous bus,
pedestrian and bicycle networks, and shared mobility
options (vehicles, bikes, scooters, etc.) to connect transit stations to local destinations.

2. Pedestrian Pathways to the Station. Enhance primary
pathways to the station including the existing sidewalk network which connects residential areas, adjacent to
commercial areas, to the transit station. Along major
arterials within this network, provide the pedestrian-

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station.

3. Pick-up and Drop-off Areas. Provide pick-up and drop-off space at or near the transit station for buses, shuttles, and shared vehicles.

4. Alternative Mode Parking. Provide bicycle parking and parking spaces for car-sharing programs along major
corridors and in front of civic buildings. Encourage bicycle parking at new multi-family residential developments.

Provide drop-off locations and docking spaces for shared micro-mobility devices (such as scooters) on public
sidewalks along major corridors where space permits, and following a City Council determination.

5. Bicycle Network. Plan for an integrated bicycle network including protected bike lanes and bike boulevards, and amenities such as bike parking and lockers within the
Commercial areas. Provide protected bike lanes or paths along corridors that lead to the transit station.
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28 - City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines FINAL DRAFT 9

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way will enhance the walkability, comfort and attractiveness

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unity, and shade protection from the hot sun. They reduce the heat island effect, reduce stormwater runoff, improve air quality by absorbing greenhouse gases, and can provide wildlife habitat and food. Landscaping of parkways and tree wells complement street trees and assist in stormwater
management.

A. PUBLIC RIGHT-OFWAY LANDSCAPING

1. Public Realm Planting. Landscaped areas in the public realm (e.g., within the public right-of-way in medians, parkways) should use the approved Tree Palette and
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2. Street Trees. New canopy trees should be planted at the curb in minimum four feet by six feet tree wells and allow

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a) Trees should be selected from the approved plant
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three 15-gallon trees should be encouraged for every
50 linear feet of landscaping, adjacent to any public
right-of-way. All trees should be a minimum 15-gallon
size.
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the area’s climate, for low water requirements, for
resistance to disease, for compatibility with soil and
drainage conditions, and to avoid invasive roots that
will uplift sidewalks.
c) Trees should be selected to provide shade, visual
consistency and/or visual interest. Existing shade
trees should be preserved if possible, and if removed
should closely match the size of the tree adjacent
up to a maximum of 48” box. If streets are wide, tall
canopy trees should be selected to create a strong
visual impact and smaller trees may be selected for
local small scaled street.
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while avoiding interference with street lighting,
utilities and visibility of approaches to intersections and driveways.
e) Trees of the same species in formal plantings should be the same size and form.
f) No trees can be planted within sightline visibility
zones along public roadways. Trees should be located

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feet from service walks and driveways.

2.4 PUBLIC REALM LANDSCAPING
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Examples of properly designed tree grates that allow for tree growth over time, with “breakaway” components that can be removed as the trunk broadens.
2 - Public Realm
FINAL DRAFT City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines - 29

3. Tree Grates. Trunk openings should be adequately sized to accommodate a full-grown tree without constricting
the trunk. Recommended are tree grates that have
“breakaway” components that can be removed as the tree
trunk broadens (see images below).
a) Expandable tree grates should be provided along
sidewalks and in plazas where a continuous walking
surface is needed to meet universal accessible
standard; otherwise, tree grates on private and public
sidewalks are not required.
b) Tree grates should be selected so that they do not
inhibit tree growth as the trunk widens.

4. Parkway Planter/Bioswale. Parkway planters/bioswales meet an increasing demand to mitigate stormwater
pollution from our streets and impermeable surfaces in
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Curb cut-outs direct street runoff into the permeable soils

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a) If there is no curbside parking, place the parkway next to the curb. If there is curbside parking or loading,
place a paved accessible area (minimum 18”-wide
exclusive of the curb) between the curb and the
parkway planter.
b) Allow for accessible breaks in the parkway planters
periodically.

5. Overhead Power Lines. Trees should also be appropriately set back from overhead power lines and above- and belowground utilities, which may vary depending on utility type and power pole category.

6. Hardscape Adjacency.:

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hardscape elements should be installed with root barriers to prevent root encroachment and damage to paving.
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2 - Public Realm
30 - City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines FINAL DRAFT B. PLANTING LAYOUT

1. General Spacing. Trees need adequate space to grow
healthy canopies and supporting root structure. Trees
should be spaced to ensure that no more than 1/3 of
the tree’s mature canopy will overlap into another tree’s canopy. Give careful consideration to the following plant spacing issues when preparing the preliminary landscape plan:
a) The proximity of the plants to surrounding structures, trees, and existing landscape areas
b) The spacing, grouping, or massing of plants
c) :

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2. Service Areas. Planting should be used to screen service areas from public view, such as parking areas, storage
areas, trash enclosures, and utility equipment.
a) A buffer hedge planted in a line, closely enough to
form a uniform texture, can be an effective screening
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evergreen.
b) Larger container sizes or fast-growing species should be used to adequately screen elements by 50% within
the second year of plant establishment.

3. Plant Groupings. Plantings should be grouped into zones of plants that have similar water use and microclimate
growing requirements.

4. Shrub Planting.9
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in up to 100% of the proposed planting area within three (3) years after planting. All groundcover plantings should

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area within one (1) year after planting. It is understood that xeriscape and other low water use designs may not
completely meet these standards; such plans may be
approved if coordinated with the overall site design.

C. PLANT MATERIALS
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appropriate plant species to select from for all conditions described here within.

1. California-Adapted Plant Species. All front setback
areas, parkways, and medians should be landscaped
with California native, and/or California-adapted plant species that are considered drought tolerant and are in

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under the low water use designation. Plants that are
adapted to long, dry summers and short, rainy winters are considered “California adapted” plants.

2. Medium Water Use Plant Species. Medium water
use plant species should only be used in special
circumstances as accent specimens, or when utility and
trash screening measures are needed and low water use
specimens cannot provide adequate coverage.

3. Plant Arrangement and Maintenance. Landscape design
should consider plant spacing and long-term maintenance for each species. Plantings should be grouped by similar water use and micro-climate requirements.

4. Plant Coverage. The landscape design should consider the full growth of each plant in the desired placement and

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spread in order to adequately achieve full coverage within the desired planting area.

5. Encroachment. Also ensure that planting spread and
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requirements, including overhead power lines and aboveand below-ground utilities, as well as City sightline visibility requirements along public roadways.

6. Planting Diversity. The proposed landscape design
should include a diverse mixture of plant types and sizes.

Landscape materials that are considered invasive to
the area as determined by the California Invasive Plant Council (www.cal-ipc.org) are not allowed.

An Allee of Trees for Multi-use 2

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2 - Public Realm
FINAL DRAFT City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines - 31 D. STORMWATER MANAGEMENT

1. Sustainable Stormwater. Low impact sustainable design mimics the natural hydrologic process by controlling

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techniques and mitigation measures for public realm
sustainable stormwater facilities are described below:
a) Swales. 9#

depressions that are gently sloped along their
length. They are primarily used to collect and convey

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such as along streets, in parking lots, between
buildings, in parkways, and in medians.
b) Inęltration Trenches. /ę

subsurface facilities designed to provide onsite

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by collecting and recharging stormwater runoff

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existing sidewalk areas and medians.
c) Rain Gardens. Rain gardens are landscaped detention
or bio-retention facilities designed to slow down
and treat stormwater. Rain gardens are often found
in the public realm located within curb extensions,
medians, and parking lane planters. Rain gardens can
also be used in front of homes or buildings to capture
rooftop runoff from disconnected downspouts.
d) Permeable Paving. Permeable paving systems can
provide the structural integrity necessary for cars,
trucks, and pedestrian areas while reducing direct
runoff by absorbing rainfall and providing temporary
storage. Pervious paving is best suited for parking

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streets, alleys, patios, driveways, and emergency
access roadways.
e) Runnels. Runnels are concrete or stone lined
rainwater conveyance systems, and reduce the need
for buried drain pipe by conveying surface water to
other stormwater facilities. Runnels are appropriate
for most street and open space types.
f) Flow-Through Planters. Flow-through planters only
absorb as much water as soil and plants in the

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streets, sidewalks, driveways, and patios.
g) Curb Extensions. Curb extensions are an extension of the street edge into the street. They are often used to

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reaching storm drain networks. Curb extensions can
take on the characteristics of bio-retention areas,
swales, or planters.
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Runnels Collect Water after Rain Event in a Plaza
2 - Public Realm
32 - City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines FINAL DRAFT

2.5 MATERIALS
A. HARDSCAPE TREATMENTS

1. General. .

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accentuate building features such as a curved building
facade by repeating forms and highlighting these forms
with specimen trees or accent plant materials.

2. Creative Paving. Creative paving treatments at sidewalks, driveways, arcades, etc. are encouraged. Walking surfaces should remain smooth, but accent paving borders are
encouraged.

3. Pedestrian Visibility. Maintaining high-visibility
crossings creates an intuitive and safe environment for all users. Existing crossings should be upgraded to include continental crosswalks as detailed in the Crosswalks
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Continental crosswalks use striped bands to mark the
crossing area to provide the highest visibility for both pedestrians and motorists. This is especially true for
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Boulevards.
a) Visibility also applies to sight distance. Pedestrians !

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away. Visibility is enhanced by curb extensions.
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2 - Public Realm
FINAL DRAFT City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines - 33 A. STREET FURNITURE
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vital, walkable environment. Benches, trash receptacles, and bicycle racks are recommended types of street furniture because they address needs that a pedestrian may have,
such as a place to rest.

1. Pedestrian-Oriented Development. 9
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should be included in the development of pedestrianoriented areas to produce a human scale and to add interest to the streetscape.

2. Sense of Place. 9
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promote walkable and active corridors and enhance
a sense of place. Benches, water fountains, trash
receptacles, and bicycle parking racks are recommended
types of street furniture because they address needs that a pedestrian may have, such as a place to rest.

3. Placement. 9
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the walking zone as to not create a hazard to pedestrians.

In constrained sidewalk conditions, street furniture
should be placed on curb extensions or integrated into
private development within a required area dedicated to the public realm.

4. Benches. Except at bus shelters and when space allows, benches should face or be perpendicular to the sidewalk, creating a seating area.

5. Waste Receptacles. Waste receptacles should be placed near nodes of activity. Considerations should be given
to providing waste receptacles for recycling and solar
compacting waste bins.

6. Bicycle Racks. Bicycle racks should be located near
transit stops, major destinations, and bike paths.

2.6 STREET AMENITIES
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2 - Public Realm
34 - City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines FINAL DRAFT B. TRANSIT STOPS AND SHELTERS
Transit stops and shelters should be designed for a positive passenger experience and for safety and security by providing adequate lighting, equipment such as emergency telephones,

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should be established in the furniture zone and not in the pedestrian zone to ensure adequate space for pedestrian

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and unload passengers. Transit stops and shelters must
meet all requirements of the Paramount Public Spaces
Design Standards.

1. Transit Shelters. A shelter should be provided at all transit stops and stations where space permits to protect commuters from sun and from inclement weather. The
shelter should be designed to provide adequate lighting, seating, a 5’x8’ passenger loading area at the front door of the bus, accessibility to the bus and the sidewalk, and information signage.

2. Seating. Benches or seats should be provided at all transit stops and stations for commuters to rest while waiting
for the bus or train. Additional seating should be installed within close proximity of transit stops and stations and under shelter if feasible.

3. Signage. At a minimum, all transit stops and stations should provide signage displaying the route number,

and those that are less familiar with the network. For
major transit stations and terminals, displaying real
time information on arriving transit vehicles should be considered.
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2 - Public Realm
FINAL DRAFT City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines - 35 C. WAYFINDING
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visitors navigate to major destinations, public facilities, and

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vertical signage or paved markings, and can have digital

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to help create an identity for an area and can contribute to

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signage that provide contextual information on a point of interest, and 3) Directional signage that show the optimal route between key destinations. A successful commercial area will make use of all three types of signage with an emphasis on directional signage points of interest, such as a shopping district, and informational signage for major destinations.

1. Consistency. Directional and informative signage should use a consistent color palette, fonts, materials, and

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2. Key Intersections. Key intersections such as the
Paramount Boulevard and Alondra Boulevard junction
and the gateways such as the Paramount Boulevard and
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to their prominent locations and sensitive relationship to the public realm.

The treatment of buildings and the public realm at key
locations creates a landmark and establishes a unique
sense of identity.
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2 - Public Realm

City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines
3 PRIVATE REALM:

SITE DESIGN

3.1 Introduction 38

3.2 Access 40

3.3 Front Setbacks 41

3.4 Landscaping 42

3.5 Parking Lot Location and Access 44

3.6 Transition and Screening 45

3.7 Drop Off and Pick Up 46

3.8 Environmental Design 47
38 - City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines FINAL DRAFT A. PRIVATE SITE DESIGN

FRAMEWORK
New development to support the proposed vision will be
concentrated along commercial corridors and will not
change the continued daily activities of residential areas.

This framework ensures cohesive, high-quality development that supports a vibrant and accessible commercial private

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focused high-quality medium and higher-density housing, and other job-generating activities, entertainment, and public gathering spaces.

Areas with underutilized lots and auto-oriented commercial uses offer an opportunity to prioritize guidelines for
redeveloping surface parking lots, underutilized and vacant land, and older commercial areas in support of future
commercial environments in addition to the currently
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shown in Figure 3-1.

Figure 3-1 highlights the parcels in ocher where the
Commercial Design Guidelines apply, primarily located where existing Central Business District, C-M and C-3 commercial &

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areas are key for future site design, addressing building and site access, extended sidewalks, landscaping, parking placement, transitions and screening, and sustainable
environmental design.

3.1 INTRODUCTION
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3 - Private Realm: Site Design
FINAL DRAFT City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines - 39 )Ζ*85(Ʌ3$5&(/6:+(5(7+(&200(5&Ζ$/'(6Ζ*1*8Ζ'(/Ζ1(6$33/< ORANGE GARFIELD PARAMOUNT DOWNEY

ROSECRANS

SOMERSET

ALONDRA
105 FWY
91 FWY
710 FWY
0 .25 .50 1 Mile

LOS ANGELES RIVER
Future Station
Future Southeast Gateway Rail
City Boundary
Potential Ground Floor Commercial
C-3 & C-M Commercial Zones
Los Angeles River
Central Business District
3 - Private Realm: Site Design
40 - City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines FINAL DRAFT A. BUILDING AND SITE ACCESS

1. Primary Street Access. Development with frontages
on Paramount Boulevard, Alondra Boulevard, and
other primary streets (major commercial corridors)
should locate and orient access to the primary building

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2. Secondary Building Access.-
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not located directly adjacent to the street or sidewalk should have their primary entrance located adjacent to a pedestrian paseo, courtyard, or plaza that is connected to

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3. Primary Entry Approach. A primary entry to a building !

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4. Visibility and Entry Articulation: Design building access points and entryways to be highly visible and well-lit.

Incorporate design features and roof details to accentuate the entrance to a building. Entries, doors, and windows can be highlighted with awnings, bright colors, special paving, or coordinated graphics to clearly indicate building access

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5. Lighting. Place lighting to accent facades at night, and

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and public and private open spaces. Avoid lighting
that interferes with residential uses. Design lighting to minimize light trespass and glare.

6. Service Entries. 9
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side or rear of the building and not be visible from the primary street. Where possible, provide service access
from a rear alley as opposed to the primary street.

7. Transit Stop Adjacency. Where a bus stop is located
within one block of the building, the primary entrance
should be visible from the bus stop, where feasible.

8. Vacant Lots and Buildings. In addition to the following !

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of the Paramount Municipal Code for vacant lots and
buidlings requirements.

3.2 ACCESS
Property Line
Primary Street
Secondary Street
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Secondary Street
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a) Vacant lots should be maintained to prevent
overgrown landscaping.
b) Chain link fences are not acceptable, along primary
corridors, to secure vacant lots and buildings.
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safety and security purposes following Planning and
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posters must be removed from plywood fences. Cityapproved art may be allowed on plywood fences. d) Vacant buildings should be boarded up from the
inside using 1/4-inch clear, shatterproof polycarbonate material or laser-cut metal to allow for security and
for the fenestration to be visually and aesthetically
maintained. Wood boarding is not allowed.
3 - Private Realm: Site Design
FINAL DRAFT City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines - 41

3.3 FRONT SETBACKS
A. EXTENDED SIDEWALKS

1. Minimum Setbacks. For minimum setback requirements,
refer to the PMC.

2. Paramount and Alondra Boulevards. Provide space for
wider sidewalks and pedestrian amenities (extended
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minimum width between the curb face and building
by way of curb extensions or building setbacks, where
feasible. Publicly accessible open space and private
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a) All entrance doors to buildings should be recessed
so doors open outwards and do not open into the
extended sidewalk area.
b) Extended sidewalks are encouraged along other
potential major commercial corridors and potential

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in Figures 2-1 and 3-1.

3. Parking. No parking should be allowed in any of the private

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4. Extended Sidewalk Landscaping. Encourage outdoor
dining, seating area, landscaped plants, trees, green walls, and artwork. Landscaping of the extended sidewalks
should include either a series of movable plants or canopy trees along the frontage.

5. Outdoor Dining. 5!
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a primary use of the extended sidewalk and may occupy
the area adjacent to a restaurant, cafe, or any other
establishment that offers food or beverages for public
consumption, and contain movable seating, tables, and
shade covers.
15’ Minimum Curbface to Building
Curb Property Line
Street
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3 - Private Realm: Site Design
42 - City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines FINAL DRAFT A. GENERAL

1. Compliance with Existing Standards. All landscape
designs should at a minimum comply with Chapter 17.96,
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or any City ordinance adopted to comply with the most-

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addition, all required landscaping areas should be subject ! 63)9 KQLNJRJ' ) M &
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Trees and Parkway Landscaping.

2. Landscaped Area. '!LJ "

site should be landscaped and improved in accordance
with these provisions. A master landscape and irrigation plan should be submitted and approved by the Planning
and Building Director. The plan should contain designs
for the following components: primary and secondary
entrances, roadways, intersections, required setbacks,
open space/pedestrian paths, and parking areas.

The design of these components should contain
architecturally consistent wall materials, plant materials, and adequate lighting. All landscape improvement
plans, will be prepared by a licensed landscape architect.

Changes to the approved master landscape plan should
be approved by the Planning and Building Director or
designee.

3. Water Conservation Techniques. Water conservation
techniques to consider should include:
a) Limit the use of high and moderate water use
plantings.
b) 2# Ġ# ę

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for plants and lawns for water conservation.
c) Irrigation heads should be adjustable to minimize
overspray.
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alternative to overhead sprinklers.
e) Weather-based irrigation controllers for residential and non-residential projects should be implemented
pursuant to Cal Green measures.
f) Trees should be irrigated and zoned separately.

4. Humanizing. Landscaping and landscaped berms,

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awnings, and textures can be incorporated into the
building design to soften the structure’s appearance.

5. Complementary Materials. Landscape materials can be
used to reinforce building elements such as the building’s colonnade being repeated with trees or the recessed
building area treated as a termination for the procession
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accentuate building features such as a curved building
facade by repeating forms and highlighting these forms
with specimen trees or accent plant materials.

6. Landscaped Buffer. A landscape buffer is required

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setback.

7. Trees and Plants. Trees should be selected to provide shade, visual consistency, and interest. Existing shade trees should be preserved to the extent practicable. If removed, replacement trees should match the size of the tree removed up to a maximum of 48-inch box size. Trees should be selected from the Trees section of the Master Plant List (Exhibit A)..

8. Landscaped Planters. Landscape planters should be at least three feet wide; however, planters less than six feet in width should use engineered soils or other mechanism with a circumference of at least three times the size of root ball within the planter, to allow for the long-term health and maintenance of trees within the planters.

3.4 LANDSCAPING
Landscaping
Along Street
Frontage
Landscaped Area Alongside Pedestrian Pathway 2

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3 - Private Realm: Site Design
FINAL DRAFT City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines - 43 B. FRONT SETBACK AREA

1. Planting Area. Pertaining to residential, commercial, and mixed-use zones, plant density should cover at least 65% of the available front setback area. The designated planting areas should be covered with drought tolerant, native or adapted plant species as selected from the Master Plant List (Exhibit A), and should be evenly blanketed with locally sourced mulch. Mulch should be provided at three inches deep in all landscape areas except for groundcover zones. a) The remaining 35% of the front setback area should
include pavers or brick set on a bed of sand where no
mortar or grout has been used, a three-inch layer of
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b) Ensure that planting spread and height does not
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3 - Private Realm: Site Design
44 - City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines FINAL DRAFT A. VEHICULAR PARKING

LOCATION AND ACCESS

1. Access Location. To minimize curb cuts across sidewalks

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primary streets, developments should provide vehicular
access from a secondary street or alley, if feasible.

2. Reciprocal Access and Parking. Reciprocal ingress/
egress access and parking should be provided.

3. Separate Parking Facilities in Mixed-use Commercial
Developments. Parking areas should provide separate
parking for nonresidential and residential uses. Gated
parking should be provided for residential parking.
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designated by posting, pavement markings, distinctive
architectural elements, landscape features, and/or by
physical separation. The sharing of guest parking for
residential and nonresidential uses within the same
mixed-use development is permitted.

4. Surface Parking Lot Location. (Figure 3-5)
a) Where feasible, surface parking should be located
behind the building, internal to the block, or wrapped
with active commercial uses along the public
frontages.
b) Parking lots should not be located between the public right-of-way and the primary building.
c) ,
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feet or more, parking lots and drive aisles may occupy
up to 40% of the primary street frontage. Landscaping
and screening standards apply.
d) Developments should have no greater than one

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where feasible.
e) Parking directly off an alley is discouraged.
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10-foot setback from the property line along the
primary street frontage. A greater setback is required
as determined by the underlying zone requirements.

5. Driveway Consolidation. 9

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between parcels with access easements is recommended,
where applicable, to further reduce driveways within the

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dedicated to vehicle use along the frontage (driveways, garage openings, loading entries, or utility access) are limited to the width of the lot, measured along the side adjacent to the street.
a) Lots with a width of a 150 feet or less may not have more than one driveway entrance from the front of
the site.
b) Lots with a width of over 150 feet may not have more than one driveway entrance from the front of the site
for every 100 feet of lot width or portion thereof.
c) Each driveway entrance excluding apron cannot
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of driveways are required by applicable law, or as
approved by the Planning and Building Director.

6. Entry Design. The main entry driveway should be
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incorporating landscaping , accent paving, and entrance signage.
a) Example design treatments include raised landscape
medians with signage and accent landscaping.

Primary Street
Parking
Secondary Street
Alley
Parking

3.5 PARKING LOT LOCATION AND ACCESS
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FIGURE 3-5. PARKING LOCATION AND ACCESS
3 - Private Realm: Site Design
FINAL DRAFT City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines - 45

3.6 TRANSITIONS AND SCREENING
A. TRANSITIONS TO ADJOINING

PROPERTIES

1. Transitional Height. Transitional height addresses the potential adjacency of new commercial buildings adjacent to residential zoned properties. A project is limited to 15 feet in max height at the rear or side setback face when adjacent to an existing one-story residential building and LO #

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building, and may not exceed a 45 degree step-back plane.

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Exceptions:
a) If residential building is an accessory dwelling unit E'*;F
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one story residential or 30’ from a two story residential building.

2. Transitional Screening. 5

walls should be provided where adjacent development
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screening can effectively shade adjacent buildings/sites from nuisance.

B. WALLS AND HEDGES

1. Maximum Height. The maximum height of walls, fences, or gates between a building with housing and a public

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should be reviewed for consideration by the Planning
and Building Director. No barbed wire, concertina wire, razor wire or cut glass should be used as a fence or part of a fence, wall or hedge along any property line or within any required side, rear or front yard, or any location with visibility from the public right-of-way.
45°
Rear
Setback
Rear
Setback
Rear
Setback
Rear
Setback
One Story
15’ Maximum
Existing
Residential
Building
(One
Story)
Existing
Residential
Building
(Two
Stories)
Property Line
Two Stories
25’ Maximum
45°
Property Line
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FIGURE 3-6. TRANSITIONAL HEIGHT Setback Face Setback Face

3. Visibility and Access. To allow visibility and access from the adjoining public sidewalk, the maximum height of any wall enclosure or landscape planting (hedges) adjacent
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sidewalk frontage.
3 - Private Realm: Site Design
46 - City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines FINAL DRAFT A. LOADING

1. General Loading. (Figure 3-7)
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to 11 feet in width by 35 feet in length with a clearance of 14 feet.
b) 2

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should be located within 100 feet to the side or rear of the business being served by the loading space, have
direct access from the business served by the space,
and should conceal truck docking wells from primary
street frontage.
c) No loading spaces may be located facing primary
north-south and east-west corridors such as
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Alondra Boulevard, and other primary streets.
d) To minimize noise on residential occupants of a
mixed-use building, locate nonresidential loading
areas in enclosed spaces or allow loading between
8:00am and 10:00pm.

2. Passenger Loading. 9

spaces cannot reduce pedestrian orientation of the site or increase the number of curb cuts and may not require pedestrians to cross a parking aisle, alley, or street in order to reach the building entrance. The passenger loading
spaces should be accessible without a fee, key, or access card and located as close as practicable to the building entrance.

Primary Street
Secondary Street
Alley

3.7 DROP-OFF AND PICK-UP

3. Pick-up and Drop-off Zones. Pick-up and drop-off zones are marked areas in the curb zone which permit passenger loading or temporary parking, usually for an interval of less than 15 minutes. Transit stations, hotels, community buildings, schools, and businesses which include valet
service are land uses which typically include pick-up and drop-off zones at the curb.
a) Ensure the curb in front of major commercial retail
or restaurant hubs have a dedicated pick-up and
drop-off zone area.
b) Encourage all curbside pick-up and drop-off zones
be adequately marked along the curb and ensure
appropriate signage is clearly visible from the
sidewalk to indicate the area is only available for the loading of passengers.
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FIGURE 3-7. LOADING FOR COMMERCIAL USES
Off-street Loading
3 - Private Realm: Site Design
FINAL DRAFT City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines - 47

3.8 ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN
A. SITE AND BUILDING DESIGN

1. Energy-Efęcient Designs. Consider passive solar and
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materials in building design and site planning.

2. Topography-Appropriate Design. Design the site and
buildings to capitalize on unique topography where
applicable such as terracing when there are considerable shifts in ground slope. Consider site designs which
increase accessibility by adding stairs and ramps in
heavily sloped environments.

B. SMART INFRASTRUCTURE

1. Emerging Technologies. There are many emerging
technologies that could be implemented in a way to
help improve the pedestrian environment and livability
of places. These range from smart lighting to parking
occupancy information, multi-modal data collection, WiFi

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be evaluated at the time a detailed streetscape design
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3 - Private Realm: Site Design

City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines
4 PRIVATE REALM:

OPEN SPACE

4.1 Introduction 50

4.2 Street-Facing Open Space 52

4.3 Pathways, Paseos, and Alleys 53

4.4 Parking Lots and Service Areas 55
50 - City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines FINAL DRAFT A. PRIVATE OPEN SPACE

DESIGN FRAMEWORK
Placemaking includes providing public and private
gathering and open spaces which are linked to commercial environments, transit, housing, educational, institutional,

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vary in size and function - some are programmed for events to activate an area or commercial uses such as restaurants, some may be adjacent to a transit station or civic building, and others may be entirely for recreation.

Parks and other forms of open space are critical for active and healthy Commercial areas. Parks can serve as neighborhood focal points, and provide opportunities for recreation, events, exercise, and more. Another key ingredient in creating dynamic commercial areas which are connected by transit and active transportation is to create attractive and functional places that people want to be.

Figure 4-1 presents the integration of a network of existing and potential open spaces, as described in this chapter, within the City, the Central Business District (CBD), and the Downtown commercial core. Parks are marked with quartermile 5-minute walkable radii, while red dashed circles indicate gaps and potential areas for new open spaces to enhance connectivity to existing and potential new commercial areas. 9

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potential candidates for future commercial street frontage illustrate the importance of linking existing and potential open space within the City and to the heart of pedestrian activity in the CBD.

Parks and open spaces are essential for fostering active, healthy commercial areas, serving as neighborhood focal points and venues for recreation, events, and community gathering. Creating attractive, functional private open spaces is crucial for placemaking and enhancing commercial areas throughout the City of Paramount.

4.1 INTRODUCTION
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4 - Private Realm: Open Space
FINAL DRAFT City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines - 51 )Ζ*85(Ʌ35Ζ9$7(5($/023(163$&()5$0(:25. ORANGE GARFIELD

PARAMOUNTDOWNEY

ROSECRANS

SOMERSET

ALONDRA
105 FWY
91 FWY
710 FWY
0 .25 .50 1 Mile

LOS ANGELES RIVER
Future Station
Future Southeast Gateway Rail
City Boundary
Los Angeles River
Existing Parks
Central Business District
1/4 Mile Pedestrian Shed without Existing Public 0pen Space C-3 & C-M Commercial Zones
Potential Ground Floor Commercial
1/4 Mile Pedestrian Shed with Existing Public Open Space 1/2 Mile Radius Shed
4- Private Realm: Open Space
52 - City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines FINAL DRAFT A. COURTYARDS

1. Relationship to Buildings and Streets. Courtyards
should be well ę % !

elements, and face the street and/or be directly accessible from the sidewalk. Courtyards provide opportunities for publicly accessible open space for gathering such as
outdoor dining, and/or for quiet areas for residents of a project.

2. Shade. Courtyards should provide shade for active
recreational uses such as places for children’s playgrounds and fountains.

3. Pedestrian Amenities. Face internal and attractive

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provide opportunities for pedestrian amenities and public art.

4. Location. Common recreational areas of private
development should be centrally located and preferably
be designed as courtyards, plazas, and outdoor rooms.

The location and character of an outdoor space should
consider its function, the size of the project, and the surrounding environment.

B. FORECOURTS

1. Relationship to Buildings and Streets. Forecourts
are encouraged along primary commercial corridors as
street-facing publicly accessible open spaces. Forecourts typically occur at mid-block and are enclosed on three
sides of a building or set of buildings. Forecourts should be designed at, or near, the grade of the sidewalks.

2. Forecourt Activation5!

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activate the space should be located adjacent to, or be a part of, a forecourt.

4.2 STREET-FACING PRIVATE OPEN SPACE
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3. Safety and Security. Forecourts are for public gathering and social interaction, and should be designed with
visibility from the sidewalk for safety and security.

Landscaping should be designed so as to not obstruct
views into the forecourt, such as having tall hedges
(greater than 30 inches) or planting along the front edge of the forecourt adjacent to the sidewalk.

4. Pedestrian Amenities. Pedestrian amenities such as
ample seating, eating places, plants, trees, fountains, sculptures and other public art should be considered and provided where appropriate.

5. Solar Orientation and Other Locations. Forecourts
are also appropriate adjacent to transit stops to provide additional space for waiting. Forecourts should be
oriented to leverage solar access and prevent shadows
from dominating the space.

C. ROOFTOPS AND TERRACES

1. Upper Floor Open Space. 5

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rooftop areas and are encouraged to further activate the street and commercial environment, such as rooftop bar/ restaurants with outdoor dining.

2. Public Access. Areas located on the roof of an upper story, such as an occupiable rooftop deck or terrace or an amenity space atop a parking structure, are encouraged
and may also qualify as “publicly accessible” if it can be directly accessed from a public staircase and/or elevator.

3. Green Roofs and Recreation. Green roofs and recreational leisure space on rooftops, such as pools and gardens,
should be considered in the design of new developments. 4 - Private Realm: Open Space
FINAL DRAFT City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines - 53

4.3 PATHWAYS, PASEOS, AND ALLEYS
A. PEDESTRIAN PATHWAYS

1. Sidewalk Connections.9 !

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pedestrian pathways connecting all adjoining sidewalks
with primary and secondary pedestrian entrances to the
building, courtyard, or individual unit.. Pathways should lead directly from the entryway to the sidewalk and have a !# ę"EOF E9Figure 4-2)
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material, or arrangement pattern to differentiate
them from the sidewalk and from other adjoining
hardscape elements.
b) Example design treatments include brick/tile pavers
to accent walkways, low brick/plaster walls, and
planters.
c) If the project has multiple buildings, a system of
paseos or pathways should connect to all building
entrances and to the sidewalks along primary and
secondary arterials. All pedestrian paths should be a
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scaled lighting.
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minimum of every 130 feet.

2. Vehicle and Bicycle Connections. Pedestrian pathways should connect building entries to vehicle and bicycle

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facilities, such as common open space and on-site waste/ recycling facilities.

3. Internal Bicycle and Pedestrian Circulation.
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broken up by providing internal connectivity, and activated outdoor spaces.

B. PASEOS
A paseo is a landscaped public place containing a path
designed for walking, strolling, and passive use. They can be used for biking. Paseos could be a mid-block pedestrian connection or part of a larger trail system connecting

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1. Paseo Elements. Paseos are wider than normal sidewalks

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landscaping in the middle or on each side of the pathway.

They can contain pedestrian scaled lighting, an occasional bench for resting, trash receptacles, artwork, and could contain pet waste bag dispensers.

2. Conęguration. Pathways could be serpentine or straight and in some communities are grade separated from major
streets. Alternatively, bollards can be used in non-grade separated treatments to delineate the paseo.

3. Adjacencies. For security and to create an active edge, blank walls causing limited surveillance should be avoided in favor of windows and active yards.

Primary Street
Primary Street
Parking Parking
Alley
Parking
Paseo in Commercial Area
FIGURE 4-3. PASEOS
Parking Parking
Primary Street
Primary Street
Alley
FIGURE 4-2. PEDESTRIAN PATHWAYS
4- Private Realm: Open Space
54 - City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines FINAL DRAFT C. GREEN ALLEYS
While similar to pedestrian malls and paseos, green alleys are typically narrower passageways designed for less-

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discouraged or limited using removable bollards. Green alleys typically form when vehicular service alleys are repurposed to include more pedestrian-friendly lighting and paving, as well as planting and permeable surfaces.

1. Repurposing Service Alleys. Repurpose service alleys which are underutilized to create green alleys to improve pedestrian circulation.

2. Paving Treatment. Pave the main pathway with permeable paving, and landscape the outer portion of the alley to

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3. Lighting. Line pathways with pedestrian lighting such

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does not disturb adjacent residents.

4. Artwork. Consider public art opportunities on adjacent walls and the alley surface.
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Repurposing of Alley with Planting and Pervious Paving
Green Alley with Permeable Paving
Multimodal Green Alley
4 - Private Realm: Open Space
FINAL DRAFT City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines - 55

4.4 PARKING LOTS AND SERVICE AREAS
A. PARKING LOTS

1. On-site Inęltration. 10% of the parking lot area should be

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2. Planting Strips.6

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should provide continuous landscape planting strips
between every other row of parking. Trees planted in
planting strips should have at least 1 tree at a minimum for every four spaces. Planting strips should be a minimum
of 4 feet wide exclusive of a 6 inch curb on both sides.

3. Minimum Tree Planting. For surface parking lots, one !LN $

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at the end of each parking row, and for each 15 parking spaces in a single row.

4. Parking Screening. 6

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building, structure, or open structure parking area may not be visible from the adjoining sidewalks and streets. a) 5

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or landscaping that is measured above the highest
adjacent grade.
b) Parking areas abutting any street frontage should
be screened through the use of one or more of the
following treatments:
i. Evergreen hedge shrubs planted not more than
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ii. “Green screen” composed of live planting (e.g.,
espaliered vines) on mesh fencing (Chain link
fencing is not acceptable) or against a wall
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B. SCREENING

1. Mechanical Equipment and Service Areas. Mechanical
equipment at all levels of the development including
rooftop equipment, should be screened from view
(including ground-mounted, wall-mounted, and roofmounted air conditioning, duct work, utility meters,
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and service areas include walls, landscaping or
combinations of materials. Low walls which extend
from the building can screen mechanical equipment
or service areas. Long, massive screen walls should be
visually broken up architecturally or with landscaping. b) Chain link fences are prohibited.
c) (
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painted a dark green or dark brown color following
Planning and Building Department color review.

2. Trash Enclosures. Waste receptacles and dumpsters
should be screened by an enclosure in compliance with
PMC Chapter 17.118, Facilities for Nonorganic Recyclable 3

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a) Landscaping should be utilized to screen the trash
enclosure on all sides visible from a public right of
way or parking lot. The landscaping should consist of

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high.
b) Trash enclosures and waste receptacles on rooftop
open spaces should be covered and concealed from
view.

Rear Access
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Rear Access Parking
4- Private Realm: Open Space

City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines
5 PRIVATE REALM:

BUILDING DESIGN

5.1 Introduction 58

5.2 Massing and Form 60

5.3 Ground Floor Treatment 70

5.4 Upper Floor Treatment 71

5.5 Materials 72

5.6 Parking Garage Design 73
58 - City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines FINAL DRAFT A. BUILDING DESIGN FRAMEWORK
The design of buildings at or near major commercial corridors plays a key role in the attractiveness, activity, and safety of the area. Creating building design that enhances sense of place for the City of Paramount needs to not only build on the C-3 and C-M zones, and the Central Business District, but also allow for potential future development of other

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and unique features such as destinations and commercial activity centers, city landmarks, civic resources, open space, and other private and public realm components. Thoughtful building design is essential for creating attractive, active, and safe environments for commercial activity.

In areas designated for the application of these guidelines, as shown in Figure 5-1, buildings should be designed with pedestrian-friendly architectural features at the ground Ġ

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connections to the public/pedestrian realm and the overall commercial environment. The pedestrian realm is generally

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and the face of the building. It includes parkways, sidewalks, and any landscaped areas, and can include public or private areas.

Figure 5-1 highlights the CBD (including the downtown

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zones as the primary components that will serve as the basis for a building design framework as discussed in this chapter. '
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provides a tool for identifying gaps for connecting to other

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commercial and activity centers such as retail malls and supermarkets play an important role for future buildings and corridors as critical community placemaking hubs.

5.1 INTRODUCTION
Vertical Tower Building Element
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Commercial Building with Roof Garden
5 - Private Realm: Building Design
FINAL DRAFT City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines - 59 FIGURE 5-1. PRIVATE REALM BUILDING DESIGN FRAMEWORK ORANGE GARFIELD PARAMOUNT DOWNEY

ROSECRANS

SOMERSET

ALONDRA
105 FWY
91 FWY
710 FWY
0 .25 .50 1 Mile

LOS ANGELES RIVER
Future Station
Future Southeast Gateway Rail
City Boundary
Central Business District
Potential Ground Floor Commercial
Los Angeles River
Landmarks
Existing Large Site Commercial Activity Centers
C-3 & C-M Commercial Zones
5 - Private Realm : Building Design
60 - City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines FINAL DRAFT A. MASSING AND FORM

1. Variety in Building Facades and Urban Form. Vary
building form and facades from building to building and from site to site to create interest along the street and a vibrant area. The application of architectural elements to
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in building facades is summarized in Table 5.1. A critical application for ground level architectural articulation is the visibility of entrances as the primary element for engagement between the building and streetscape, as
summarized in Table 5.2.

2. Massing Modulation. Buildings should modulate their
massing with design features that add depth and impact
such as projecting forms which break up long or blank
facades; overhangs which add shade and shadows;
emphasized horizontal elements; or extended walls which enclose, screen or emphasize building elements.

3. Contemporary, Pedestrian-Friendly Design. Building
massing should be “human” in scale and not bulky,
overbearing or monolithic. Design buildings to be visually

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vibrant streetscape. Place unique features to differentiate neighboring businesses at eye-level with pedestrians.
a) Massing should be reduced in scale by a variety of
design strategies, such as projections, overhangs,
recesses and landscaping.

4. Blank Walls. The maximum width of a bay of blank
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or protrusion of at least 6 inches) should be limited
according to the standards below. The standards apply
to all stories on all facades that are visible from a street, sidewalk, or other public right-of-way.
a) For building frontages of 100 feet or more, the
maximum width of a bay of blank wall should not
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maximum width of a bay of blank wall should not
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horizontally.
c) Articulation (Facade Variation). All building facades visible from a street, sidewalk, or other public rightof-way should incorporate one facade articulation strategy per 40 linear feet (or fraction thereof) of
horizontal building facade, choosing from strategies
listed in Table 5.3. To provide visual interest and
avoid monotonous rhythms, the minimum number
of articulation modulations may be reasonably
distributed along the facade horizontally along the
facade; they do not need to be every 40 feet

5. Base, Middle, Top. Generally, building facades should be differentiated into three parts: a base, middle, and a top. 5 #
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parts may be expressed through detailing at the building

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top stories should be used, in accordance with Table 5.5.

6. Signage. Provide storefront signage at multiple levels, such as wall signs above windows and hanging signs

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signage. Limit the size of new signage for pedestrian

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sign requirements..

5.2 MASSING AND FORM
Comtemporary Building with distict base, middle and top Building with Contemporary Articulation Applications 5 - Private Realm: Building Design
FINAL DRAFT City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines - 61 C. HEIGHT

1. Building Heights. Vary building heights within the
Commercial areas. Allow for and encourage the placement of relatively taller buildings near the station, along wider streets, and intermittently throughout the station area to serve as focal points.

2. Adjacencies North of Somerset Blvd. Within a half-mile radius of a transit station and adjacent to single-family

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the parcel in which it is located. This guideline should be

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building height allowed in the underlying zone.

B. CORNER TREATMENT

1. Building Shaped at Corners. When located at the corner of an important pedestrian intersection or a focal point, design buildings to emphasize the corner by using a
variety of techniques at the corner such as adding a strong vertical mass or a tower, a diagonal setback, a corner plaza, and/or a recessed building entrance. Treatments should
be applied at all corners of an intersection.

2. Vision Clearance for Corner Lots and Reverse Corner
Lots. All corner lots and reverse corner lots subject to yard requirements should maintain a cleared sight area

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the Paramount Municipal Code.
a) Visual Interest. To provide visual interest at corner lots, buildings located at the intersection of two
primary or secondary streets should incorporate at
least one of the strategies listed in Table 5.4.

Windows Around
Two Facades
Variation in the Wall Plane Bay Windows Incorporated in Corner Condition of Building 5 - Private Realm : Building Design
62 - City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines FINAL DRAFT Table 5.1 - ARCHITECTURAL ELEMENTS

ELEMENT APPLICABLE BUILDING
FLOORS

GUIDELINES
Ground
Floor
Upper
Floors
Recessed balconies for sun protection
and modulation
• A minimum of 50% of the dwelling units facing
streets
• Minimum dimension: 5’ depth and 10’ width
Partially uncovered projecting
balconies forming an architectural
pattern
• A minimum of 50% of the dwelling units facing
streets
• Minimum dimension: 5’ depth and 10’ width
Raised stoops, covered or partially
covered porches, patios, or arcades
• A minimum of 50% of the dwelling units facing
streets
Column articulation (e.g. ground level
arcades)
• Minimum column spacing: 1 per 15’
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and use of different material(s) from
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• Minimum Depth: 3’
• Maximum Depth: 10’
Canopy, awning, or marquee marking
the pedestrian entrance to a building
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the building and provide a minimum 8’ vertical
clearance
• Awning side panels are discouraged
Articulated corner treatment • A corner setback to form a publicly accessible open space with a minimum dimension of 10’ x
10’, or
• An architectural treatment differing from
surrounding facades such as a rounded or angled
form at the corner
Roof modulation such as a sloped roof,
change in height of the parapet, or a
green roof with vegetation
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height if less than 8’ as measured from roof of the

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cornices
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pattern of brick masonry or tiled surface
• Minimum dimension: 8 inches for the width
(horizontal bands) or height (vertical bands)
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5 - Private Realm: Building Design
FINAL DRAFT City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines - 63 Table 5.2 - VISIBILITY OF ENTRANCES

ELEMENT GUIDELINES
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• Each residential unit facing the street should have a porch or stoop at the entrance
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provide privacy
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door or located above the door
Design feature to make door prominent on the facade • Awnings, entrance recesses, and/or canopies Stoops at entries
Awnings enhance entries and provide weather protection
Lighting Integrated with Building Architecture
Covered dining patio
Entrance recesses create a public forecourt
5 - Private Realm : Building Design
64 - City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines FINAL DRAFT Table 5.3 - ARTICULATION STRATEGIES

STRATEGY GUIDELINES

WINDOWS AND DOORS
Weather protection or
shading device over
windows (awnings,
louvers, or canopies)
ƒ Minimum 2 feet deep
ƒ Minimum 50% of
the windows
Variation in window size ƒ 20% of windows should
have at least 20% change
in height or width
Recessed Windows ƒ 6 inches deep for over
50% of the facade
window area
Bay Windows ƒ 2 feet projection for
10% of windows
Projected window
trim (sill, lintel, and/
or surrounds)
ƒ 6 inches high, 4
inches wide
ƒ 4 inches deep for
50% of windows
Increased fenestration
(windows and doors)
ƒ •At least 25% variation
in glazed area
ƒ •Minimum 25 linear feet
width along the facade
Note: A strategy used to satisfy this guideline may
also be used to satisfy any other design requirement that lists the identical strategy option. +$

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5 - Private Realm: Building Design
FINAL DRAFT City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines - 65 Table 5.3 - ARTICULATION STRATEGIES

STRATEGY REQUIREMENT(S)

STRATEGY GUIDELINES
Roofline
variation
ƒ Minimum 4 feet height difference
to adjacent roofline(s)
ƒ Minimum 20% of facade length
Other, as approved by the Planning
and Building Director.

Note: A strategy used to satisfy this guideline may
also be used to satisfy any other design requirement that lists the identical strategy option.

STRATEGY GUIDELINES

WALL PLANE VARIATION
Offset plane(s) from
the primary facade
ƒ Minimum 2 feet deep
ƒ Encompassing at least
20% of facade area
Projection, recess,
or step-back on
an upper floor
ƒ 7 feet depth entire
length of facade
Textured materials
with relief (ie. brick
or wood siding)
ƒ Extend across minimum 25
linear feet along the facade
ƒ Extends at least 75%
of the floors
ƒ Different material, color,
and/or texture from the
adjacent facade planes
Banding (horizontal
or vertical)
ƒ Minimum depth 3
inches from the adjacent
building facades
ƒ Minimum width 8 inches
ƒ Extend minimum 75% of
the total facade frontage
length (horizontal elements)
or minimum 75% of the
total facade frontage
height (vertical elements)
ƒ Different material, color,
and/or texture from the
adjacent facade planes
Project building
slabs from the rest
of the facade
ƒ Minimum 25 feet or 25%
of the length of the facade,
whichever is greater
ƒ Minimum 12 inches depth
for 75% of the floors
ƒ Slab projections may be
used as balconies, provided
they meet all required
balcony dimensions
OTHER
Balconies ƒ Minimum 40% of the
length of the facade within
the articulated segment
ƒ Minimum 5’ in depth
by 7’ wide
Example Wall Plane Variation
5 - Private Realm : Building Design
66 - City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines FINAL DRAFT Table 5.4 - CORNER DESIGN STRATEGIES

STRATEGY GUIDELINES
BUILDINGS 2 STORIES AND HIGHER
Publicly accessible corner
plaza that extends to
the pedestrian sidewalk
at the intersection and
connects to an entrance
of the building
ƒ Minimum area: 500
square feet
ƒ Minimum dimensions
of any side: 16 feet
ƒ Should be paved
with a treatment that
distinguishes the plaza
from the connecting
sidewalks (e.g. texture,
material, and or
color variation)
ƒ Should comply with Open
Space and Landscaping
design guidelines in
Chapters 3 and 4 of this
document, as well as
applicable Development
Standards in the PMC
ƒ Minimum 80%
open to the sky
Change in material,
color, fenestration type
or a combination, on
the frontage along both
sides of the corner
ƒ Extend horizontally a
minimum of 20 feet
both sides of the
building corner
ƒ Extend vertically for
aminimum of 80% of
the building height
Recessed Windows of
the building facade
instead of meeting at
a 90-degree angle
ƒ Minimum of 15 feet
along both sides of
the building corner
ƒ If a building facade is
less than 60 feet long,
the rounded corner
should continue for a
minimum of 25% of the
overall facade length
ƒ Minimum 80% of the
building height
Varied Form, Materials, and Access for Corner Design
5 - Private Realm: Building Design
FINAL DRAFT City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines - 67 Table 5.4 - CORNER DESIGN STRATEGIES

STRATEGY GUIDELINES
BUILDINGS 2 STORIES AND HIGHER
Projection or recess
of the corner facades
horizontally from the
rest of the building
ƒ Minimum of 15 feet
along both sides of
the building corner
ƒ if a building facade is
less than 60 feet long,
the recess or projection
should continue for a
minimum of 25% of the
overall facade width
ƒ Recessed or projected a
minimmum of 2 feet from
the adjacent facade plane
Banding (horizontal
or vertical)
ƒ Projects a minimum of
5 feet and maximum
10 feet above the
adjacent roof ridge
ƒ Articulated by a recess
or projection of a
minimum 2 feet deep
ƒ Minimum of 20 feet
along both sides of
the building corner
ƒ If a building facade is less
than 60 feet long, the
tower recess/projection
should continue for a
minimum of 25% of the
overall facade width
ƒ May only count towards
satisfying this requrement
for buildings 5 stories
tall or shorter
Increased corner glazing
for windows and doors
including a building
entry to a commercial
use, if applicable
ƒ Increased a minimum of
10% for a minimum of
20 feet length along both
sides of the corner.
ƒ Minimum of 80% of
the building height
Other, as approved by the Planning
and Building Director. Corner Projections, Glazing and Recesses 5 - Private Realm : Building Design
68 - City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines FINAL DRAFT Table 5.5 - BASE/BODY/TOP

STRATEGY GUIDELINES

VERTICAL WALL PLANE VARIATION
Step-back of upperfloor facade from
the floor below
ƒ Minimum 3 feet recessed
for minimum 75% of the
length of the facade
ƒ Step-back at the third
floor or higher
Wall plane offset accompanied by a change
in building material
or color between the
base and body
ƒ Minimum 18-inch
offset from the
adjacent facade wall
ƒ Offset (or combination
of multiple offsets)
encompasses minimum
75% of the facade
ƒ Minimum height of
one story or 75% of
the building height,
whichever is greater
Recessed building
frontage at the ground
floor horizontally from
the upper floors
ƒ Minimum 3 feet recessed
from the building base
ƒ Spanning minimum 75% of
the length of the facade
Facade offset with a
change in building
material or color between
the base and body
ƒ Minimum eighteen (18)
inches vertical offset
(recess or protrusion)
for minimum 75% of the
length of the facade
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5 - Private Realm: Building Design
FINAL DRAFT City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines - 69 Table 5.5 - BASE/BODY/TOP

STRATEGY GUIDELINES

FACADE ARTICULATION
Vary the facade material,
texture or pattern
on the ground floor
from building body
ƒ Minimum 75% coverage
of the facade wall area
on the ground floor
Vary the size and/
or depth of windows
or balconies across
the building’s base,
body, and top
ƒ 50% change in depth
or 20% change in size
(square feet) between
base and body or
between body and top
Roofline variation ƒ Spans the full length
of the roofline
ƒ Minimum height 2 feet
Decorative architectural
elements such as
columns and pilasters
ƒ Minimum depth of 6”
extending from the facade
ƒ Encompasses minimum
75% of the length
of the facade
Sheltered Walkway,
Arcade, Colonnade
ƒ 6 feet wide minimum
75% of the facade
Ground floor awnings,
arcades or canopies that
project horizontally from
the facade and provide
shade over fenestration
ƒ Minimum 3 feet deep
ƒ Spans minimum 50% of
frontage (applies to both
frontages on corner lots)
Other, as approved by the Planning
and Building Director
Note A strategy used to satisfy this guideline may
also be used to satisfy any other design requirement that lists the identical strategy option. <

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5 - Private Realm : Building Design
70 - City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines FINAL DRAFT A. GROUND-FLOOR ACTIVATION

1. Equal Design Treatment on Facades. Where the rear or sides of the building are visible from streets and alleys, these facades should receive equal design treatment to
the main facade.

2. Visual Interest at Street Level. Commercial buildings should incorporate human-scale design elements at the

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pedestrians at the street level using techniques such as:. a) 9

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b) Recessing doors and windows;
c) Providing varied display windows;
d) Providing awnings, louvers, and canopies for weather protection and shade; and
e) Visually extending interior spaces outside through
paving and glazing.

3. Primary Entrance. The primary entrance to each

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along the front facade at the primary frontage, with direct access from the sidewalk.

4. Transparency. Transparency, such as larger window
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and physical interaction with those on the sidewalk and creates a safer and more vibrant pedestrian environment. ,

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facade. Interior blinds, drapes, posters, signage, and
interior shelving for product displays visible from the

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percent of the transparent areas of each storefront.
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higher than 80%.

5. Facade Relief. Entries, doors, and windows can be
highlighted with awnings, bright colors, special paving, or coordinated graphics to clearly indicate building access

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6. Awnings. Where appropriate, use awnings and other
shade structures for sun protection and to give a building a distinctive identity to increase visual interest along a pedestrian corridor:
a) Mount awnings which have a design that is
compatible with the architectural style the building.
b) Add awnings over doors to help identify building
entrances and above windows. Do not mount awnings
above blank walls.
c) 5

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over closed in.
d) Encourage creative steel, canvas, and glass awnings
with signage incorporated over cloth awnings.
e) Awning should project at least 3’ from the building
and provide at least 8’ vertical clearance.

7. Outdoor Dining. 5!

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in the frontage zone along a commercial corridor should be encouraged where adequate space exists. Design food
establishment buildings with walk-up order windows,
bar style seating along the facade to encourage outdoor dining and an active storefront.

B. GROUND-FLOOR USES

1. Primary Active Uses. Active commercial uses include
retail, restaurants, commercial services (e.g. barbershops

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2. Other Active Uses. 5

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centers, senior centers, community rooms, residential
lobbies and gyms, live/work units, childcare, business
and professional services, and other recreational facilities.

3. Connectivity to Active Uses. Internal pedestrian
pathways and streets leading or connected to primary
streets should have active uses to promote a pedestrian friendly environment.

4. Frontages. Residential uses that front a major commercial

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the space.

5.3 GROUND FLOOR TREATMENT
Prominent Ground Floor Commercial Transparency ,

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5 - Private Realm: Building Design
FINAL DRAFT City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines - 71 15’ Minimum Curbface to Building
Curb Property Line
Street

5.4 UPPER FLOOR TREATMENT
A. STEP-BACKS

1. Articulated Building Facades and Massing. To create
visual interest and activation of the street, and to avoid large bulky facades and blank walls, articulate building massing using techniques such as some stepping

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recessed windows, bay windows, balconies, trellises, and varied roof lines.

2. Step-backs. Along Paramount and Alondra Boulevards,
with the intent of engaging the street with more
opportunities to create an active commercial environment,

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from front setback line or front building face at a minimum ę"

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stepped back an additional 10 feet over 50 percent of the

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Figure 5-2 and Figure 5-3)

3. Restaurant Step-backs. Restaurants may provide a
second story step-back to provide outdoor dining area
located along a plaza, open space, or the street frontage.

B. ROOFS

1. Roofs. Flat or pitched roofs are permitted for consideration.

Pitched roofs !
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2. Lighting Fixtures. New and substantially renovated
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3. Building Orientation for Solar Efęciency. Buildings
should orient most windows in the north-south direction which is ideal for solar orientation. New and substantially renovated developments should orient not less than 65%
of windows and glazing in the north-south direction.

4. Solar Panels. The use of solar panels for the generation of electricity and water heating is encouraged, provided that the location and design of panels is consistent with other guidelines set forth in this document.
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step-back
FIGURE 5-2. STEP-BACKS ABOVE 2 STORIES
15’ Minimum Curbface to Building
Curb Property Line
Street
step-back
FIGURE 5-3. STEP-BACKS ABOVE 3 STORIES
step-back
1 2
3 4
1 2
3 5’ Min.
5 - Private Realm : Building Design
72 - City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines FINAL DRAFT A. MATERIALS

1. Facade Consistency and Compatibility. Design,
materials, and colors on all facades of a building – and amongst all buildings in a multi-building development
– should be consistent so the building will appear as a cohesive unit.

2. Material and Color Variation.9 !

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materials and colors to unify the building appearance. For example, avoid imitation rock/stone veneer and extensive use of wood siding, heavily textured stucco walls, or slump stone masonry. Each building elevation should contain
a combination of at least three (3) different colors and/ or materials (including wall planes and trim). Generally, earth tone colors or variations thereof are encouraged and recommended for primary building colors.
a) Trim color/material may be used to satisfy up to two ELF "!

b) Glass used in windows and doors is excluded from
satisfying this guideline, with the exception that
glass used as part of a curtain wall facade area may
qualify as a material variation.
c) Each color or material (excluding trim) should cover at least ten (10) percent of the facade area.
d) Changes in material should not occur at the outside
corners of intersecting walls.
e) +$"%

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colors are not acceptable.

3. Stucco.9 !

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(lack
stucco or paint are not acceptable.

4. Accessory Structures.5

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as bus shelters, kiosks, gazebos, etc., should incorporate two colors and materials from the palette used for the
principal structure.

B. BUILDING LIGHTING

1. Lighting Fixture Locations.2 ę$ !

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2. Screening. All lighting tubes, bulbs, elements, wiring, conduits, etc. should be shielded from direct visual view. 9

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review and approval.

3. Exterior Lighting. Exterior building lighting provides for

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interior lighting can light portions of walkways etc.

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a) Exterior lights of any type, both on a building or
suspended in air, should be commercial grade
lighting designed for heavy-duty, durable, frequent
use in professional settings such as in commercial
environments.
b) Multi-color string lights are not acceptable. White
string lights are encouraged.

4. Materials and Colors. 2 ę$ !

colors should be consistent throughout building and
parking areas.

5.5 MATERIALS
Varied Materials Integrated with Form and Massing Exterior Lighting as Architecture 5 - Private Realm: Building Design
FINAL DRAFT City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines - 73

5.6 PARKING GARAGE DESIGN
A. PARKING STRUCTURES

1. Parking Structures. The following guidelines apply to all parking structures proposed:
a) Above-grade parking structures may not be located
along the frontage of major arterial streets or
collector streets for a depth of 40 feet unless retail,

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structure fronting the street, with the exception of the vehicular entrance/exit to the structure.
b) A reduction in the total number of required parking
spaces is encouraged for mixed-use projects
that contain retail, restaurant, entertainment and

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proposal should be required to establish optimum
parking ratios.
c) Parking along primary corridors, such as Paramount
and Alondra Boulevards, should not be located
between the curb and setback areas, and/or within
the encouraged 15 feet between curb face and front
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building face, i.e, the pedestrian realm. New buildings fronting on the pedestrian realm should screen
parking from public view from streets by locating
parking below grade or wrapping in above-grade
parking structures with development.
d) Parking structures should be designed as an
integral component of the coordinated site plan
and architectural theme. The interior treatment of
a parking structure should be of a light color. The
treatment should include a coordinated interior
sign program designed to identify parking levels
and locate stairwells, elevators, phones, exits and
other interior features. Parking structure vehicle

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The minimum distance of entry/exits from corner
intersections should be at least 100 feet (preferably
150 feet). Entrances and exits should have clear lines
of sight.
5 - Private Realm : Building Design

City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines
6 SPECIAL
CONDITIONS:

COMMERCIAL
CORE

6.1 Introduction 76

6.2 Compact Development 78

6.3 Block Structure 79

6.4 Large Sites 80

6.5 Intersections and Nodes 82

6.6 Parking 83
76 - City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines FINAL DRAFT A. COMMERCIAL CORE FRAMEWORK
Compact, higher intense development with a mix of uses in walking distance to commercial activity increases residents’ ability to walk to multiple destinations. This concentration fosters walking, bicycling, and shared modes between uses to minimize auto trips and vehicle pollution. Introducing mixed uses to active commercial areas can further support a vibrant

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outdoor cafes, grocery stores, bookstores, civic and public uses, parks and plazas, child care, multi-family residential, ę

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clubs, and other active uses, cater to residents and employers alike for a successful partnership in creating a unique sense of place in Paramount’s commercial core.

Figure 6-1 focuses on the Central Business District (CBD), including the downtown core, as the unique focal point for compact commercial development in Paramount. The CBD
street network is depicted with red lines indicating the primary commercial frontages, while gateways mark key
entry points. The map outlines the span of corridor coverage, emphasizing the importance of a distinct downtown
character and connectivity within the CBD. This framework supports a vibrant and walkable commercial environment.

B. MIX OF USES

1. Proportion of Uses. Vary the proportion and mix of
uses depending on the characteristics of an individual

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and commercial intensity in historically lower-density

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commercial intensity in medium- and high-density
neighborhoods.

2. Commercial Uses Activity. Encourage commercial uses

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along major arterials. Along other corridors, encourage smaller-scale, community-serving commercial uses.

3. Tailor Designs to ReĠect Uniqueness of an Area. Vary the design character of developments based on the
land use and urban design qualities envisioned and the
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4. Transit-Supportive Uses. Provide transit-supportive uses that generate high pedestrian activity, foster an active environment throughout the day, and increase transit
ridership. Discourage heavy industrial and non-transit
supportive uses such as vehicle-oriented businesses like car washes, drive thrus, and car dealerships in the area directly around the commercial core.

6.1 INTRODUCTION
Examples of Integrated Private and Public Realms
6 - Special Conditions: Commercial Core
FINAL DRAFT City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines - 77 FIGURE 6-1. COMMERCIAL CORE FRAMEWORK GARFIELD

PARAMOUNT
DOWNEY

ROSECRANS

SOMERSET

ALONDRA
91 FWY
0 .25 .50 1 Mile
Future Southeast Gateway Rail
Gateway
CBD Commercial Frontage
City Boundary
Central Business District (CBD)
Paramount Park + School
Paramount Swap Meet
1/4 Mile Pedestrian Shed (5-minute walk)
6 - Special Conditions: Commercial Core
78 - City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines FINAL DRAFT A. DOWNTOWN CORE DEVELOPMENT

1. Inęll Development. 8"

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on small lots and underutilized parcels with limited
existing on-site uses by potentially reducing parking,
height, setbacks, and other requirements.

2. Surface Parking Redevelopment. Permit and encourage
properties with surface parking lots, especially streetadjacent lots, to replace a portion or the entirety of the lot with new development with a reduced or waived
replacement parking requirement as necessary.

3. Rehabilitation of Older Buildings. Encourage the
rehabilitation and reuse of older buildings to maintain neighborhood character and to sustainably accommodate
new businesses and/or housing units.

4. Condition and Density of Existing Uses. ; & enforcement and incentives to encourage property
owners to maintain their properties as safe and attractive to patrons to prevent blight.

5. Compact Development. Encourage compact
development in the Commercial areas to address the
smaller parcel sizes that currently exist within the Central Business District:
a) Allow the highest densities and intensities permitted in the area directly around the Commercial Business
District and at transit stations.
b) +!

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for new development.
c) Encourage incentives for additional densities when

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housing, streetscape improvements, and reduced
parking.
d) Provide incentives for consolidation of small lots
for the purposes of developing commercial uses,
mixed-use developments, or employment centers.
e) =

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housing units per parcel in areas within the
commercial areas depending on the size of lots,
infrastructure, and amenities in the area. These units
can be work/live with shopfronts at the street level.

6. Joint Development. Encourage participation in Joint
Development Programs by establishing an inventory of
publicly owned land available for redevelopment.

7. Lot Size. Reduce minimum lot sizes as feasible to
encourage more compact development.

6.2 COMPACT DEVELOPMENT
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6 - Special Conditions: Commercial Core
FINAL DRAFT City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines - 79 A. BLOCK STRUCTURE
An important feature of Downtown Paramount is the
established block size. The majority of blocks are

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block but with limitations. In many locations, alleys that serve loading and servicing purposes and parking can also be shared with pedestrians and bicyclists to allow more " %

through the blocks. This urban design element is encouraged # "
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grained scale of the City.

1. Full Block Subdivision. New projects should preserve mid-block alleys and enhance connectivity with paseos
wherever possible.
a) 9

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be designed to encourage slow vehicle speeds and
clearly signed for shared use with pedestrians and
bicyclists.
b) Full-block developments that do not provide
access through the block should articulate how
they will provide a pedestrian-oriented environment
that supports the objective of making Downtown
Paramount more walkable in support of commercial
activity.
c) Full-block development that does not provide public
access through the block should provide a pedestrianoriented environment that is inviting and interesting along the public frontages.
d) Providing active uses along the alleys and paseos is highly encouraged.

6.3 BLOCK STRUCTURE
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6 - Special Conditions: Commercial Core
80 - City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines FINAL DRAFT FIGURE 6-2. PRIVATE REALM LARGE SITES
Future Southeast Gateway Rail
Gateway
City Boundary
Central Business District
Large Sites within CBD
1/4 Mile Pedestrian Shed

GARFIELDPARAMOUNTDOWNEY

SOMERSET

ALONDRA
91 FWY

6.4 LARGE SITES
A. LARGE SITE CONDITIONS
Three conditions, as described below, will govern guidelines
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building should not have a continuous face along a street

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alley or paseo.

1. One- to Two-Acre Sites9!!

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2. Three- to Four-Acre Sites 9! !

street. E9Figure 6-4)

3. Sites of Four Acres or More9!!"

organized as a network of streets, alleys, paseos, and
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6 - Special Conditions: Commercial Core
FINAL DRAFT City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines - 81 Existing Proposed
Existing Street
Existing Street
Existing Street
Existing Street
New Alley/Paseo
Existing Proposed
Existing Street
Existing Street
Existing Street
Existing Street
New Streets
New
Open
Space
New Alley/Paseo
Alleys/Paseos
Large Sites
Existing Proposed
Existing Street
Existing Street
Existing Street
Existing Street
New Streets New Alley/Paseo
FIGURE 6-3. ONE- TO TWO-ACRE SITES FIGURE 6-4. THREE- TO FOUR-ACRE SITES FIGURE 6-5. SITES OF FOUR ACRES OR MORE
Open Space
Streets
Alleys/Paseos
Large Sites Streets
6 - Special Conditions: Commercial Core
82 - City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines FINAL DRAFT A. HIGH VISIBILITY CROSSWALKS
Marked crosswalks at controlled and mid-block intersections direct pedestrians to ideal locations to cross a street and prompt motorists where to yield for pedestrians. Crosswalks should be highly visible to both drivers and pedestrians and can be installed with continental striping or decorative

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crosswalks or freestanding beacons to increase visibility; these enhancements are particularly important at mid-block crossings where motorists may need additional warnings of the presence of pedestrians.

1. Continental Crosswalks. A continental crosswalk has
wide highly visible longitudinal strips paired with a stop line setback from the crosswalk. Refer to Crosswalks
*9

6!9

2. Intersection Visibility. Vertical elements such as street trees should be set back from intersections and crossing points so as to not block visibility of pedestrians at the crosswalk.

B. CURB RAMPS
Curb ramps allow mobility-impaired persons and persons
with strollers convenient access to the sidewalk from the street. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires curb ramps to be installed at all locations where pedestrians cross.

1. ADA Warning Surface. All curb ramps should have ADAapproved ramps with detectable warning surface (min. # LNŶF%#

2. Crosswalk Alignment. Curb ramps should be designed
to align with crosswalks and should be provided at each crossing approach as opposed to providing one curb cut
per corner.

3. Landings. At least 48” of landing should be provided behind the curb ramp.

C. MEDIAN REFUGE ISLAND
Median refuge islands provide a protected space for
pedestrians or bicyclists crossing the street at intersections or mid-block crosswalks. They are especially recommended for major and secondary corridors or other wide streets that are unsignalized.

1. Pedestrians with Disabilities. Median refuges should accommodate pedestrians with disabilities and provide
all pedestrians with a clear path of travel.

2. Minimum Width. The minimum width of a median refuge
island is 6’, with a preferred width of 10’. The minimum length of the island is 13’, with a typical range between KM LJD

3. Signage. 9

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the refuge island.

4. Detectable Paving. Provide detectable paving for visually impaired uses to indicate the presence of a pedestrian
refuge.

D. GATEWAYS
For visitors outside the City of Paramount, gateways signaling arrival to its Central Business District (CBD) area provides an introduction to the City. Gateway signage and/or other physical markers in the City’s CBD commercial core are

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1. Gateway Locations. 9

which serve as primary entries into the CBD’s commercial
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location from each direction - north, south, east, and
west along Paramount’s major commercial corridors as
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2. Gateway Signage and Branding. Gateways should
provide welcome signage, visitor information, maps,

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destinations.

6.5 INTERSECTIONS AND NODES
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6 - Special Conditions: Commercial Core
FINAL DRAFT City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines - 83

6.6 PARKING
A. DOWNTOWN CORE PARKING

1. Amount of Parking. )
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to allow parking to be right-sized and to allow required

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and/or on-street parking. Where parking for an infrequent peak-demand is required, encourage utilization of shared parking facilities.

2. On-Street Parking. 5

is encouraged to serve as a buffer between pedestrians
and travel lanes. Transit-oriented areas often encourage reduced off-street parking requirements, and the
provision of on-street parking ensures that adequate
parking for a Commercial area is maintained. Curbside
on-street parking serves as a buffer for pedestrians from

"
5

with high commercial activity and allows patrons to
retailers to park in one spot and visit multiple adjacent businesses.
a) Along commercial corridors, establish an on-street
parking strategy to enable short-term parking next to
retailers, restaurants, and other businesses.
b) For residential areas adjacent to high-activity
commercial corridors, consider the implementation
of a residents-only permit parking district to ensure
the preservation of street parking for local residents.

3. Surface Parking. Discourage surface parking adjacent to the sidewalk along major streets and encourage on-site
parking located underground, at the rear of the parcels, or buffered from view with convenient pedestrian access to the primary building entrance. Where surface parking lots are visible from street view, provide trees and other vegetation as a visual buffer. Encourage all surface
parking lots include landscaping along the perimeter of pedestrian paths and the edges of the lot.

4. Park and Ride Lots. Allow for the provision of Park and Ride lots or parking spaces in areas adjacent to highridership transit stations.

5. Joint and Shared Parking. Permit unbundled parking
and allow property owners to form agreements to
consolidate the parking required for two or more
proximate developments on one parcel to maximize

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6. Parking Strategies in Employment Centers. Encourage
shared parking strategies and provide incentives
such as reduced rate or reimbursable transit passes

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provide the necessary amount of employee parking.

7. “Park Once” Districts. ŵ6

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to park in one location and reach multiple destinations

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volumes and commercial activity levels allow, establish a 6 5
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provisions:
a) Adjacent property owners are permitted to share
parking lots.
b) 5

are to allow a set number of parking for free or for a
reduced fee.
c) Docking stations for bikeshare vehicles are to be
provided.
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6 - Special Conditions: Commercial Core

City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines
7 APPENDIX A:

MASTER PLANT
LIST

7.1 Trees 86

7.2 Shrubs 89

7.3 Perennials, Succulents, Grasses 93

7.4 Ground Covers 97

7.5 Vines 101
WHY A MASTER PLANT LIST?
The plant list below was developed to support sustainable landscape practices in the ) %6

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drought-tolerant species that help conserve local water resources. California native and well-adapted, non-invasive plants were emphasized to promote biodiversity and ensure compatibility with the region’s natural conditions. The selection also focused on low-maintenance species that reduce the need for pruning, pest management, and
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climate and soil suitability, ensuring long-term health and resilience in Paramount’s

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value- such as visual interest, seasonal variety, shade, erosion control, and natural screening, were prioritized.

The resulting plant list includes a diverse range of trees, shrubs, ground covers, and accent plants, organized by plant type and includes size, water requirements, and usage guidelines to assist with effective and attractive landscape planning. 86 - City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines FINAL DRAFT

7.1 TREES
Quercus tomentella Tabebuia ;!

Pistacia chinensis ‘Red Push’ Platanus racemosa Prosopis chilensis Chilopsis linearis Jacaranda mimosifolia Parkinsonia x ‘Desert Museum’ Appendix A: Master Plant List
FINAL DRAFT City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines - 87

7.1 TREES

MASTER PLANT LIST
Botanical Name Common Name Water Use CA
Native
Size
(Height)
Designation Functional Value
TREES
Acacia cognata River Wattle Moderate 20’-30’ Private; Public Acacia farnesiana (Vachellia farnesiana) Sweet Acacia, Huisache Very Low 15’-20’ Private; Public Flowering Acacia greggii (Senegalia greggii) Catclaw Acacia Low X 11’-15’ Private; Public Flowering; Pollinator Habitat; Screening
Acacia pendula Weeping Acacia Moderate 20’-30’ Private; Public Acacia stenophylla Shoestring Acacia Low 20’-30’ Private; Public Afrocarpus falcatus (Podocarpus gracilior) Fern Pine Moderate 40’-50’ Private; Public Screening Agonis Ġexuosa Peppermint Tree Low 25’-40’ Private; Public Agonis Ġexuosa CBurgundy’ Burgundy Peppermint Willow Low 15’-25’ Private; Public Albizia julibrissin Silk Tree, Mimosa Low 20’-40’ Private; Public Flowering Araucaria heterophylla (Araucaria excelsa) Norfolk Island Pine, Star Pine Moderate 160’-210’ Private; Public Arbutus unedo CMarina’ Strawberry Tree Low 40’-50’ Private; Public Flowering Bauhinia x blakeana Hong Kong Orchid Moderate 20’ Private; Public Accent; Flowering Callistemon viminalis Weeping Bottlebrush Low 8’-10’ Private; Public Flowering Calocedrus decurrens Incense Cedar Moderate X 12’-200’ Private; Public Container; Screening Cassia leptophylla Gold Medallion Tree Moderate 15’-25’ Private; Public Flowering Casuarina cunninghamiana River She-Oak Low 50’-100’ Private; Public Cercis canadensis Eastern Redbud Moderate 15’-30’ Private; Public Accent; Flowering Cercis occidentalis Western Redbud Low X 10’-20’ Private; Public Accent; Bioswale; Container;
Flowering; Pollinator Habitat
Chilopsis linearis Desert Willow Very Low X 15’-40’ Private; Public Flowering; Pollinator Habitat Cinnamomum camphora Camphor Tree Moderate 70’ Private; Public Citrus species & cultivars Citrus Moderate var. Private; Public Container; Flowering Cupressus forbesii Tecate Cypress Very Low X 33’ Private; Public Screening Cupressus sempervirens Italian Cypress Low 60’-80’ Private; Public Screening Dasylirion quadrangulatum Mexican Grass Tree Very Low 6’-10’ Private; Public Accent Dracaena draco Dragon Tree Very Low 15’-25’ Private; Public Accent Eriobotrya deĠexa/japonica Bronze Loquat, Loquat Moderate 15’-25’ Private; Public Flowering Fraxinus oxycarpa CRaywood’ Raywood Ash Moderate 25’-35’ Private; Public Geijera parviĠora Australian Willow Low 20’-30’ Private; Public Screening Ginkgo biloba Maidenhair Tree, Ginkgo Moderate 50’-80’ Private; Public Gleditsia triacanthos Honey Locust Moderate 30’-70’ Private; Public Hymenosporum Ġavum Sweetshade Tree Moderate 25’-40’ Private; Public Flowering Jacaranda mimosifolia Jacaranda Moderate 25’-50’ Private; Public Flowering Koelreuteria bipinnata Chinese Flame Tree Moderate 20’-40’ Private; Public Flowering Koelreuteria paniculata Golden Rain Tree Low 20’-40’ Private; Public Flowering Lagerstroemia indica and cultivars Crape Myrtle Moderate 20’-25’ Private; Public Flowering Ligustrum japonicum CTexanum’ Glossy Privet Moderate 6’-8’ Private; Public Flowering; Screening Lophostemon confertus (Tristania conferta) Brisbane Box Moderate 40’-60’ Private; Public Lyonothamnus Ġoribundus Santa Cruz Island Ironwood Low X 20’-30’ Private; Public Flowering; Pollinator Habitat; Screening
Lysiloma watsonii Feather Tree Low X 11’-15’ Private; Public Appendix A: Master Plant List
88 - City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines FINAL DRAFT

MASTER PLANT LIST
Botanical Name Common Name Water Use CA
Native
Size
(Height)
Designation Functional Value
TREES
Magnolia grandiĠora Southern Magnolia Moderate 50’ Private; Public Flowering Magnolia x soulangeana Saucer Magnolia Moderate 20’-25’ Private; Public Flowering Melaleuca armillaris Bracelet Honey Myrtle Low 20’-30’ Private; Public Flowering Melaleuca nesophila Pink Melaleuca Low 15’-20’ Private; Public Flowering Melaleuca quinquenervia Broad-Leafed Paperbark Low 25’-40’ Private; Public Flowering Olea europaea CSwan Hill’ Swan Hill Fruitless Olive Low 20’-30’ Private; Public Parkinsonia x CDesert Museum’ Desert Museum Palo Verde Very Low X 25’ Private; Public Accent; Flowering; Pollinator Habitat
Pinus species & cultivars Pine var. var. Private; Public Pinus canariensis Canary Island Pine Low 80’-90’ Private; Public Pinus eldarica Eldarica Pine, Afghan Pine Very Low 30’-80’ Private; Public Pinus halepensis Aleppo Pine Low 30’-60’ Private; Public Pinus pinea Italian Stone Pine Low 40’-80’ Private; Public Pinus torreyana Torrey Pine Low X 25’-150’ Private; Public Pistacia chinensis Chinese Pistache Low 30’-60’ Private; Public Pistacia chinensis CRed Push’ Red Push Pistache Low 25’-40’ Private; Public Pittosporum species & cultivars Pittosporum Moderate var. Private; Public Platanus racemosa California Sycamore Moderate X 20’-115’ Private; Public Platanus x acerifolia London Plane Tree Sycamore Moderate 75’-100’ Private; Public Pollinator Habitat Platanus x acerifolia CColumbia’ Columbia London Plane Tree Moderate 40’-80’ Private; Public Prosopis chilensis Chilean Mesquite Low 30’ Private; Public Prosopis glandulosa Honey Mesquite Low 30’ Private; Public Screening Prunus ilicifolia Hollyleaf Cherry Very Low X 30’-49’ Private; Public Pollinator Habitat; Screening Punica granatum Pomegranate Low 6’-20’ Private; Public Flowering Quercus species & cultivars Oak Low var. Private; Public Quercus agrifolia Coast Live Oak Very Low X 25’-82’ Private; Public Pollinator Habitat Quercus ilex Holly Oak Low 70’-100’ Private; Public
Quercus suber Cork Oak Low 40’-70’ Private; Public
Quercus tomentella Island Oak Low X 33’-66’ Private; Public Pollinator Habitat Quercus virginiana Southern Live Oak Moderate 40’-50’ Private; Public Rhus lancea African Sumac Low 30’ Private; Public
Strelitzia nicolai Giant Bird Of Paradise Low 20’ Private; Public Flowering Tabebuia species & cultivars Trumpet Tree Moderate 20’-30’ Private; Public Flowering Tipuana tipu Tipu Tree Moderate 20’-30’ Private; Public Flowering Ulmus parvifolia Chinese Elm Moderate 30’-50’ Private; Public Umbellularia californica California Laurel, Bay Laurel Low X 6’-80’ Private; Public Pollinator Habitat x Chitalpa tashkentensis Chitalpa Low 20’-50’ Private; Public Flowering x Chitalpa tashkentensis CPink Dawn’ Pink Dawn Chitalpa Low 25’ Private; Public Accent; Flowering Appendix A: Master Plant List
FINAL DRAFT City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines - 89 Myrica californica Rhus integrifolia 9
"
"
!
%

Ceanothus ‘Concha’ Eriogonum grande var. Rubescens .

Acacia cognata ‘Cousin Itt’ '

%Ġ

C.#

McMinn’
Berberis ‘Golden Abundance’

7.2 SHRUBS
Appendix A: Master Plant List
90 - City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines FINAL DRAFT

7.2 SHRUBS

MASTER PLANT LIST
Botanical Name Common Name Water Use CA
Native
Size
(Height)
Designation Functional Value
SHRUBS
Acacia cognata CCousin Itt’ Cousin Itt Acacia Moderate 24”-36” Private; Public Accent; Bioswale; Container Adenanthos cuneatus Flame Bush Low 3’-5’ Private; Public Flowering Adenanthos sericeus Coast Woollybush Low 4’-6’ Private; Public Pollinator Habitat; Screening Alyogyne huegelii Blue Hibiscus Low 6’+ Private; Public Flowering; Pollinator Habitat; Screening
Arctostaphylos species & cultivars Manzanita Low X var. Private; Public Accent; Bioswale; Container;
Flowering; Pollinator Habitat;
Screening
Arctostaphylos CHoward McMinn’ Howard McMinn Manzanita Low X 5’-7’ Private; Public Accent; Container; Flowering; Pollinator Habitat; Screening
Arctostaphylos CJohn Dourley’ John Dourley Manzanita Low X 24”-36” Private; Public Accent; Container; Flowering; Pollinator Habitat; Screening
Arctostaphylos manzanita CDr. Hurd’ Dr. Hurd Manzanita Low X 10’-15’ Private; Public Accent; Container; Flowering; Pollinator Habitat; Screening
Asparagus densiĠorus CMyers’ Foxtail Fern Moderate 24”-36” Private; Public Accent; Container Berberis CGolden Abundance’ Golden Abundance Oregon Grape Moderate X 5’-8’ Private; Public Accent; Bioswale; Flowering; Pollinator Habitat; Screening
Calliandra californica Red Fairy Duster, Zapotillo Very Low X 3’-5’ Private; Public Container; Flowering; Pollinator Habitat
Calliandra eriophylla Fairy Duster Very Low X 12”-36” Private; Public Container; Flowering; Pollinator Habitat
Callistemon citrinus Lemon Bottlebrush Low 3’-5’ Private; Public Accent; Flowering; Screening Callistemon viminalis CLittle John’ Dwarf Bottlebrush Low 3’ Private; Public Accent; Container; Flowering Calothamnus gracilis Slender Net Bush Low 12”-24” Private; Public Carissa macrocarpa CGreen Carpet’ Green Carpet Carissa Low 12”-24” Private; Public Ceanothus species & cultivars Wild Lilac Low X var. Private; Public Bioswale; Flowering; Pollinator Habitat; Screening
Ceanothus CRay Hartman’ Ray Hartman Ceanothus Low X 15’-30’ Private; Public Flowering; Pollinator Habitat; Screening
Ceanothus x CConcha’ Concha Ceanothus Low X 3’-6’ Private; Public Flowering; Pollinator Habitat Chondropetalum tectorum Small Cape Rush Low 24”-36” Private; Public Flowering Cistus species & cultivars Rockrose Low var. Private; Public Bioswale Cordyline species & cultivars Festival Grass Moderate 24”-36” Private; Public Container Correa species & cultivars Australian Fuchsia Low var. Private; Public Dianella revoluta CBig Rev’ Big Rev Flax Lily Low 24”-36” Private; Public Container; Flowering Dodonaea viscosa CPurpurea’ Purple Hopseed Bush Low 12’-16’ Private; Public Screening Eriogonum arborescens Santa Cruz Island Buckwheat Very Low X 2’-7’ Private; Public Container; Flowering; Pollinator Habitat
Eriogonum grande var. rubescens Red-Flowered Buckwheat Very Low X 8”-18” Private; Public Container; Flowering; Pollinator Habitat
Grevillea species & cultivars Grevillea Low var. Private; Public Accent; Container; Flowering Grevillea CBonęre’ Bonęre Grevillea Low 8’-12’ Private; Public Accent; Container; Flowering; Screening
Grevillea lanigera CCoastal Gem’ Coastal Gem Woolly Grevillea Low 12” Private; Public Container; Flowering Appendix A: Master Plant List
FINAL DRAFT City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines - 91

MASTER PLANT LIST
Botanical Name Common Name Water Use CA
Native
Size
(Height)
Designation Functional Value
SHRUBS
Heteromeles arbutifolia Toyon Very Low X 6’-30’ Private; Public Accent; Bioswale; Pollinator
Habitat; Screening
Juniperus californica California Juniper Very Low X 10’-26’ Private; Public Accent; Pollinator Habitat;
Screening
Lantana camara & cultivars Lantana Low var. Private; Public Container; Flowering; Pollinator Habitat
Lantana CLemon Swirl’ Lemon Swirl Bush Lantana Low 4’-6’ Private; Public Container; Flowering; Pollinator Habitat
Lantana CNew Gold’ New Gold Lantana Low 12”-18” Private; Public Container; Flowering; Pollinator Habitat
Leptospermum scoparium & cultivars New Zealand Tea Tree, Manuka Low 6’ Private; Public Flowering; Screening Leucadendron species & cultivars Protea Low var. Private; Public Accent; Flowering; Pollinator Habitat
Ligustrum japonicum Waxleaf Privet, Japanese Privet Moderate 10’ Private; Public Container; Flowering; Screening
Mimulus diplacus & cultivars Monkey Flower Low X 24”-36” Private; Public Bioswale; Flowering; Pollinator Habitat
Myrica californica Pacięc Wax Myrtle Low X 20’-30’ Private; Public Pollinator Habitat; Screening Myrsine africana African Boxwood Low 6’-8’ Private; Public Container; Screening Myrtus communis CCompacta’ Dwarf Myrtle Low 24”-36” Private; Public Screening Olea CLittle Ollie’ Little Ollie Fruitless Dwarf Olive Low 6’ Private; Public Container; Screening Phlomis fruticosa Jerusalem Sage Low 3’-4’ Private; Public Flowering; Pollinator Habitat Pittosporum crassifolium CNana’ Karo Pittosporum Moderate 24”-36” Private; Public Pittosporum tobira CVariegata’ Varietaged Mock Orange Moderate 4’-5’ Private; Public Screening Pittosporum tobira CWheeler’s Dwarf’ Wheeler’s Dwarf Pittosporum Moderate 23”-36” Private; Public Container; Screening Prunus ilicifolia ssp. ilicifolia Hollyleaf Cherry Very Low X 5’-40’ Private; Public Pollinator Habitat; Screening Punica granatum CNana’ Dwarf Pomegranate Low 36” Private; Public Accent; Container; Flowering Rhus ovata Sugar Bush Very Low X 7’-33’ Private; Public Flowering; Pollinator Habitat; Screening
Rhamnus californica Coffeeberry Very Low X 6’-15’ Private; Public Bioswale; Container; Pollinator
Habitat; Screening
Rhamnus californica CLittle Sur’ Little Sur Coffeeberry Very Low X 2’-4’ Private; Public Container; Pollinator Habitat;
Screening
Rhamnus californica CMound San Bruno’ Mound San Bruno California Coffeeberry Very Low X 3’-4’ Private; Public
Container; Pollinator Habitat;
Screening
Rhus integrifolia Lemonade Berry Very Low X 3’-30’ Private; Public Pollinator Habitat; Screening Ribes viburnifolium Catalina Currant Very Low X 24”-36” Private; Public Bioswale; Pollinator Habitat Romneya coulteri Matilija Poppy Very Low X 7’-10’ Private; Public Accent; Flowering; Pollinator Habitat
Rosa californica California Wildrose Low X 4’-5’ Private; Public Accent; Flowering; Pollinator Habitat; Screening
Salvia rosmarinus & cultivars Rosemary Very Low var. Private; Public Container; Flowering; Pollinator Habitat
Salvia rosmarinus CRoman Beauty’ Roman Beauty Rosemary Very Low 24”-36” Private; Public Container; Flowering; Pollinator Habitat
Appendix A: Master Plant List
92 - City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines FINAL DRAFT

MASTER PLANT LIST
Botanical Name Common Name Water Use CA
Native
Size
(Height)
Designation Functional Value
SHRUBS
Salvia greggii Autumn Sage Low 24”-36” Private; Public Container; Flowering; Pollinator Habitat
Salvia leucantha Mexican Bush Sage Low 4’ Private; Public Container; Flowering; Pollinator Habitat
Salvia mellifera Black Sage Very Low X 3’-6’ Private; Public Container; Flowering; Pollinator Habitat; Screening
Salvia mellifera CTerra Seca’ Terra Seca Sage Very Low X 12”-24” Private; Public Container; Flowering; Pollinator Habitat
Salvia clevelandii x leucophylla CPozo Blue’ Pozo Blue Sage Very Low X 4’-5’ Private; Public Accent; Container; Flowering; Pollinator Habitat
Sansevieria species & cultivars Sansevieria Low var. Private; Public Container Westringia CAussie Box’ Westringia Aussie Box Low 36” Private; Public Container; Flowering; Screening
Westringia fruticosa Coast Rosemary Low 4’-6’ Private; Public Flowering; Screening Westringia fruticosa CMorning Light’ Morning Light Coast Rosemary Low 3’-4’ Private; Public Screening Westringia fruticosa CMundi’ Mundi Coast Rosemary Low 12”-24” Private; Public Flowering Appendix A: Master Plant List
FINAL DRAFT City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines - 93 Phormium ‘Firebird’ 9

Carex praegracilis Leymus condensatus ‘Canyon Prince’ Crassula multicava Lomandra longifolia ‘Breeze’
Agave attenuata '

!

!

C).D Bouteloua gracilis ‘Blonde Ambition’

7.3 PERENNIALS, SUCCULENTS, GRASSES
Appendix A: Master Plant List
94 - City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines FINAL DRAFT

7.3 PERENNIALS, SUCCULENTS, GRASSES

MASTER PLANT LIST
Botanical Name Common Name Water Use CA
Native
Size
(Height)
Designation Functional Value

PERENNIALS, SUCCULENTS, GRASSES
Aeonium species & cultivars Tree Houseleeks Low var. Private Container Aeonium arboreum CZwartkop’ Black Rose Aeonium Low 3’-4’ Private Accent; Container Aeonium x CKiwi’ Kiwi Aeonium Low 12”-24” Private Container Aeonium x CMint Saucer’ Mint Saucer Aeonium Low 24”-36” Private Container Agave attenuata Fox Tail Agave Low 4’-5’ Private Container Agave attenuata CBoutin Blue’ Blue Fox Tail Agave Low 3’-4’ Private Container Agave desmettiana Smooth Agave Very Low 24”-36” Private Container Agave stricta CNana’ Dwarf Hedgehog Agave Low <12” Private Container Agave vilmoriniana Octopus Agave Low 3’-4’ Private Container Agave x CBlue Flame’ Blue Flame Agave Low 24”-36” Private Container; Flowering Aloe vera Medicinal Aloe Low 12”-24” Private Container
Aristida purpurea CChino Hills’ Purple Three-Awn Very Low X 24”-36” Private; Public Pollinator Habitat Asclepias fascicularis Narrowleaf Milkweed Very Low X 24”-36” Private; Public Container; Flowering; Pollinator Habitat
Bouteloua gracilis CBlonde Ambition’ Blue Grama Low X 6”-24” Private; Public Pollinator Habitat Carex divulsa Foothill Sedge Low 12”-24” Private; Public Bioswale; Container Carex praegracilis Clustered Field Sedge, California
Field Sedge
Moderate X 4”-12” Private; Public Bioswale; Container;
Pollinator Habitat
Crassula species & cultivars NCN Low <12” Private Container; Flowering Crassula CBlue Bird’ Blue Bird Crassula Low 24”-36” Private Container; Flowering Crassula capitella CCampęre’ Campęre Crassula Low 6”-12” Private Bioswale; Container Crassula multicava Fairy Crassula Low <12” Private Container; Flowering Crassula multicava CCape Province’ Cape Province Pygmyweed Low <12” Private Container; Flowering Dasylirion wheeleri Spoon Yucca Very Low 4’-6’ Private
Delosperma alba White Training Ice Plant Low 6”-12” Private Flowering Delosperma cooperi Hardy Iceplant Low <12” Private Flowering Dianella species & cultivars Flax Lily Low var. Private; Public Bioswale Dianella caerulea CCassa Blue’ Cassa Blue Flax Lily Moderate 12”-24” Private; Public Dianella revoluta CLittle Rev’ Little Rev Flax Lily Low 24”-36” Private; Public Dianella tasmanica CTasred’ Tasred Flax Lily Moderate 18”-24” Private; Public Dudleya species & cultivars Dudleya Very Low X var. Private Container; Pollinator Habitat Dudleya pulverulenta Chalk Dudleya Very Low X 4”-12” Private Container; Pollinator Habitat Echeveria imbricata CAfterglow’ Afterglow Echeveria Low 6”-8” Private Container Echeveria imbricata CBlue Rose’ Hen And Chicks, Blue Rose Low <8” Private Container Echeveria secunda Old Hen And Chicks Low 3”-5” Private Container Echinacea purpurea Purple ConeĠower Moderate 3’-4’ Private; Public Flowering; Pollinator Habitat Echium candicans Pride Of Madeira Very Low 5’-6’ Private; Public Flowering Elymus glaucus Blue Wild Rye Grass Low X 1’-5’ Private; Public Bioswale; Pollinator Habitat Encelia californica Coast SunĠower Very Low X 2’-5’ Private; Public Flowering; Pollinator Habitat Epilobium species & cultivars California Fuchsia, Zauschneria Low X 3”-18” Private; Public Bioswale; Container; Flowering; Pollinator Habitat
Succulents on this list are limited to 25% of total plants for each project.

Appendix A: Master Plant List
FINAL DRAFT City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines - 95

MASTER PLANT LIST
Botanical Name Common Name Water Use CA
Native
Size
(Height)
Designation Functional Value

PERENNIALS, SUCCULENTS, GRASSES
Erigeron karvinskianus Santa Barbara Daisy Low 12” Private; Public Bioswale; Container; Flowering
Eriogonum fasciculatum California Buckwheat Very Low X 1’-7’ Private; Public Bioswale; Flowering; Pollinator Habitat
Eriophyllum confertiĠorum Golden Yarrow, Yellow Yarrow Very Low X 24” Private; Public Bioswale; Flowering; Pollinator Habitat
Festuca californica California Fescue Very Low X 12”-36” Private; Public Bioswale; Container; Pollinator Habitat
Festuca mairei Atlas Fescue Low 24”-36” Private; Public Bioswale; Container Furcraea foetida CMediopicta’ Mauritius Hemp Low 4’-5’ Private Graptopetalum superbum Ghost Plant Low <3” Private Container Graptoveria CFred Ives’ Fred Ives Graptoveria Low 6”-8” Private Container Helictotrichon sempervirens Blue Oat Grass Moderate 2’-3’ Private; Public Hemerocallis hybrida Daylily Moderate 24”-36” Private; Public Flowering Hesperaloe parviĠora Red Yucca Very Low 36” Private Container; Flowering Iris douglasiana Coastal Iris, Douglas Iris Low X 7”-31” Private; Public Bioswale; Container; Flowering; Pollinator Habitat
Juncus patens California Gray Rush Low X 18”-24” Private; Public Bioswale; Container; Pollinator Habitat
Kalanchoe species & cultivars Kalanchoe Low var. Private Container Kalanchoe luciae Paddle Plant Low 12”-24” Private Container Kniphoęa uvaria Red-Hot Poker Moderate 3’-4’ Private; Public Leymus condensatus CCanyon Prince’ Canyon Prince Wild Rye Low X 24”-36” Private; Public Bioswale; Container; Pollinator Habitat
Leymus triticoides Creeping Wild Rye Low X 2’-4’ Private; Public Bioswale; Pollinator Habitat Lomandra species & cultivars Mat Rush Low var. Private; Public Lomandra longifolia CBreeze’ Dwarf Mat Rush Low 24”-36” Private; Public Bioswale Melica imperfecta California Melic Very Low X 12”-36” Private; Public Bioswale; Pollinator Habitat Muhlenbergia emersleyi CEl Toro’ Bull Grass Low 36” Private; Public Bioswale Muhlenbergia rigens Deer Grass Low X 24”-36” Private; Public Bioswale; Container; Pollinator Habitat
Nassella pulchra Purple Needlegrass Very Low X 12”-36” Private; Public Bioswale; Pollinator Habitat Oscularia deltoides Pink Iceplant Low <12” Private Container Penstemon heterophyllus Foothill Penstemon Low X 3’-5’ Private; Public Container; Flowering; Pollinator Habitat
Penstemon spectabilis Showy Penstemon Low X 2’-4’ Private; Public Container; Flowering; Pollinator Habitat
Phormium species & cultivars Flax Moderate Private; Public Bioswale Phormium tenax CJack Spratt’ New Zealand Flax Low 18” Private; Public Bioswale; Container Portulacaria afra & cultivars Elephant’s Food Very Low var. Private Container Sedum species & cultivars Stonecrop Low var. Private Container; Flowering Senecio cylindricus Narrow-Leaf Chalksticks Low 12”-24” Private Senecio mandraliscae Kleinia Chalksticks Low 12”-36” Private Appendix A: Master Plant List
96 - City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines FINAL DRAFT

MASTER PLANT LIST
Botanical Name Common Name Water Use CA
Native
Size
(Height)
Designation Functional Value

PERENNIALS, SUCCULENTS, GRASSES
Senecio serpens Blue Chalksticks Low <12” Private
Sisyrinchium bellum Blue-Eyed Grass Low X 12”-24” Private; Public Container; Flowering; Pollinator Habitat
Verbena lilacina CDe La Mina’ Cedros Island Verbena Low X 24”-36” Private; Public Container; Flowering; Pollinator Habitat
Zoysia tenuifolia Korean Grass Moderate 1”-1.5” Private; Public Appendix A: Master Plant List
FINAL DRAFT City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines - 97 6%
Ġ

9 "
!
%
C6 9
9

D 9
"

!
Ceanothus griseus var. vorizontalis
C?
6 D
Eriogonum fasciculatum ‘Warriner Lytle’ Lantana montevidensis Achillea millefolium '

%C6
ę3 D Baccharis pilularis ‘Pigeon Point’

7.4 GROUND COVERS
Appendix A: Master Plant List
98 - City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines FINAL DRAFT

7.4 GROUND COVERS

MASTER PLANT LIST
Botanical Name Common Name Water Use CA
Native
Size
(Height)
Designation Functional Value

GROUND COVERS
Acacia redolens CLow Boy’ Prostrate Acacia Very Low 12”-24” Private; Public Achillea millefolium Common Yarrow Low X 12”-36” Private; Public Bioswale; Flowering; Pollinator Habitat
Achillea CMoonshine’ Moonshine Yarrow Moderate 12”-24” Private; Public Bioswale; Flowering Arctostaphylos (Prostrate Varieties) Manzanita Low X <36” Private; Public Bioswale; Container;
Pollinator Habitat
Arcostaphylos CPacięc Mist’ Pacięc Mist Manzanita Low X 12”-24” Private; Public Bioswale; Pollinator Habitat;
Screening; Tolerate Foot
Trafęc
Artemisia CPowis Castle’ Wormwood Moderate 24”-36” Private; Public Baccharis pilularis ssp. pilularis CPigeon
Point’ Pigeon Point Coyote Brush Low X 12”-24” Private; Public Bioswale; Pollinator Habitat Baccharis pilularis CTwin Peaks No. 2’ Dwarf Coyote Brush Low X 12”-18” Private; Public Bioswale; Pollinator Habitat Baccharis CStarn’ Starn Coyote Brush Very Low 36” Private; Public Accent; Container; Flowering Bougainvillea COo-la-la’ Oo-La-La Bougainvillea Low 24” Private; Public Accent; Container; Flowering Bougainvillea CRosenka’ Rosenka Bougainvillea Low 24”-48” Private; Public Accent; Container; Flowering Calylophus berlandieri Sundrops Very Low <12” Private; Public Flowering; Pollinator Habitat Carissa macrocarpa CGreen Carpet’ Green Carpet Low 12”-24” Private; Public Bioswale; Tolerate Foot Trafęc Ceanothus CCentennial’ Centennial Ceanothus Low X 6”-12” Private; Public Bioswale; Flowering; Pollinator Habitat
Ceanothus gloriosus CAnchor Bay’ Anchor Bay Mountain Lilac Low X 24”-36” Private; Public Bioswale; Flowering; Pollinator Habitat
Ceanothus griseus var. horizontalis CYankee
Point’ Yankee Point Ceanothus Low X 24”-36” Private; Public Bioswale; Flowering; Pollinator Habitat
Ceanothus thyrsiĠorus var. griseus CPoint Sal’ Point Sal Carmel Creeper Low X 36” Private; Public Bioswale; Flowering; Pollinator Habitat
Cerastium tomentosum Snow-In-Summer Moderate 6”-12” Private; Public Flowering; Tolerate Foot Trafęc Chondropetalum tectorum Small Cape Rush Low 24”-36” Private; Public Bioswale Cistus salviifolius CProstratus’ Sageleaf Rockrose Low 12”-24” Private; Public Flowering Dichondra argentea Silver Ponysfoot Moderate 6” Private; Public Container Dymondia margaretae Silver Carpet Low <12” Private; Public Bioswale; Tolerate Foot Trafęc Eriogonum fasciculatum CWarriner Lytle’ California Buckwheat Very Low X 24”-36” Private; Public Bioswale; Flowering; Pollinator Habitat
Festuca cinerea/Festuca ovina glauca Blue Fescue Low 8”-12” Private; Public Bioswale Festuca rubra Red Fescue High X 12”-36” Private; Public Bioswale; Container;
Pollinator Habitat; Tolerate
Foot Trafęc
Festuca CSiskiyou Blue’ Siskiyou Blue Fescue Low X 12”-24” Private; Public Bioswale; Container;
Pollinator Habitat
Herniaria glabra Green Carpet Moderate 1”-3” Private; Public Tolerate Foot Trafęc Iva hayesiana Poverty Weed Very Low 24” Private; Public Tolerate Foot Trafęc Lantana montevidensis & cultivars Trailing Lantana Low 12”-24” Private; Public Flowering Liriope muscari Lily Turf Moderate 12”-18” Private; Public Flowering; Tolerate Foot Trafęc Liriope spicata Creeping Lily Turf Moderate 6”-18” Private; Public Flowering; Tolerate Foot Trafęc Succulents on this list are limited to 25% of total plants for each project.

Appendix A: Master Plant List
FINAL DRAFT City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines - 99

MASTER PLANT LIST
Botanical Name Common Name Water Use CA
Native
Size
(Height)
Designation Functional Value

GROUND COVERS
Myoporum CPacięcum’ & CPutah Creek’ Pacięc Myoporum Low 24” Private; Public Tolerate Foot Trafęc Persicaria capitata Pink Head Knotweed Moderate <12” Private; Public Bioswale; Flowering Philodendron CXanadu’ Xanadu Philodendron Moderate 36” Private; Public Container Phyla nodiĠora (Lippia repens) Common Lippia, Kurapia Low X 12”-24” Private; Public Flowering; Pollinator Habitat; Tolerate Foot Trafęc
Rosa White Meidlland Groundcover Rose Moderate 12”-24” Private; Public Accent; Container; Flowering; Pollinator Habitat
Salvia leucophylla Purple Sage Very Low X 2’-5’ Private; Public Container; Flowering;
Pollinator Habitat; Tolerate
Foot Trafęc
Salvia leucophylla CPoint Sal Spreader’ Point Sal Spreader Purple Sage Very Low X 2’-3’ Private; Public Container; Flowering; Pollinator Habitat
Salvia rosmarinus
(Rosmarinus ofęcinalus; Prostrate varieties)
Prostrate Rosemary, Trailing
Rosemary
Low Spreading Private; Public Container; Flowering;
Pollinator Habitat
Salvia x CBee’s Bliss’ Bee’s Bliss Sage Low X 24” Private; Public Container; Flowering; Pollinator Habitat
Scieranthis biĠorus Australian Astroturf Low <12” Private; Public Tolerate Foot Trafęc Trachelospermum jasminoides Star Jasmine Moderate Spreading Private; Public Flowering Appendix A: Master Plant List
100 - City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines FINAL DRAFT

7.5 VINES
Trachelospermum jasminoides
.

Parthenocissus tricuspidata Vitis californica ‘Roger’s Red’ Ficus pumila Lonicera hispidula var. vacillans
Bougainvillea Calystegia macrostegia Clytostoma callistegioides Appendix A: Master Plant List
FINAL DRAFT City of Paramount | Commercial Design Guidelines - 101

MASTER PLANT LIST
Botanical Name Common Name Water Use CA Native Size
(Spreading)
Designation Functional Value
VINES
Bougainvillea species & cultivars Bougainvillea Low 5’-30’ Private Accent; Flowering Bougainvillea CLa Jolla’ La Jolla Bougainvillea Low 4’-5’ Private Accent; Flowering Calystegia macrostegia California Morning Glory Low X 20’-30’ Private Flowering; Pollinator Habitat
Campsis grandiĠora Chinese Trumpet Vine Low 30’ Private Flowering Clytostoma callistegioides Lavender Trumpet Vine Moderate 20’ Private Flowering Distictis buccinatoria Red Trumpet Vine Moderate 20-30’ Private Flowering Ficus pumila Creeping Fig Low 20’ Private
Hardenbergia violacea CHappy Wanderer’ Purple Vine Lilac Low 15’ Private Flowering Lonicera hispidula var. vacillans California Honeysuckle Low X 4’-8’ Private Flowering; Pollinator Habitat
Macfadyena unguis-cati Cat’s-Claw Creeper Low 25’-40’ Private Flowering Pandorea jasminoides CRosa’ Pink Bower Vine Moderate 20-30’ Private Flowering Parthenocissus tricuspidata Boston Ivy Moderate 30’-60’ Private Accent Trachelospermum jasminoides Star Jasmine Moderate 18-20’ Private Flowering; Screening Vitis californica CRoger’s Red’ Roger’s Red California Grape Low X 20-40’ Private Accent; Pollinator Habitat

7.5 VINES
Appendix A: Master Plant List

CITY OF PARAMOUNT

LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
RESOLUTION NO. 25:041

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARAMOUNT

TO REPLACE THE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT ARCHITECTURAL
DESIGN GUIDELINES WITH COMMERCIAL DESIGN GUIDELINES.

WHEREAS, Paramount Municipal Code Section 17.48.030 et seq., a portion of the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Paramount, requires the City Council to duly notice a public hearing, receive a report from staff, conduct the hearing and consider all evidence before it, and thereafter to announce its findings and decisions in zoning matters; and WHEREAS, On September 3, 2025, the Planning Commission of the City of Paramount setting forth its finding of fact, and recommended that the City Council replace the Central Business District Architectural Design Guidelines with Commercial Design Guidelines.

WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Paramount finds that this resolution is exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (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.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARAMOUNT AS FOLLOWS:

SECTION 1. The above recitations are true and correct.

SECTION 2. The City Council finds that it has conducted all the public hearings necessary and in compliance with State Law and the Municipal Code of the City of Paramount.

SECTION 3. The City Council finds that all requirements of notice have been complied with pursuant to State Law and the Municipal Code.

SECTION 4. The City Council hereby finds that the Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment is consistent with desirable land use trends.

SECTION 5. The City Council determines that upon applying the principles and practices of land use planning, the amendment to the Code should be made to encourage activity that will produce a desirable pattern of growth, encourage the most appropriate use of land, enhance the value of property, and promote the health, safety, and general welfare of the public in the best interests of the City.

SECTION 6. The City Council hereby recommends replacing the Central Business District Architectural Design Guidelines with Commercial Design Guidelines.

RESOLUTION NO. PC 25:041

Page 2 ends

SECTION 7. That pursuant to Resolution No. 82:043 of the City Council, the time limit to seek judicial review pursuant to California Code of Civil Procedure is ninety (90) days from the date hereof.

SECTION 8. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption.

PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Paramount this _ day of ___2025.
_________________________________
Peggy Lemons, Mayor
Attest:
__________________________________
Heidi Luce, City Clerk

CITY OF PARAMOUNT

LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
ORDINANCE NO. 1213

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF

PARAMOUNT, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING ZONING ORDINANCE TEXT
AMENDMENT NO. 37, AMENDING SECTION 17.24.050
(DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS IN GENERAL), AND ADDING SECTION

17.28.110 (DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS IN GENERAL) OF TITLE 17 OF

THE PARAMOUNT MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING THE

REPLACEMENT OF REGULATIONS FOR ARCHITECTURAL
GUIDELINES OF THE C-3 (GENERAL COMMERCIAL) ZONE WITH

COMMERCIAL DESIGN GUIDELINES AND ESTABLISHING
COMMERCIAL DESIGN GUIDELINES AS A REQUIREMENT OF THE CM (COMMERCIAL-MANUFACTURING) ZONE IN THE CITY OF PARAMOUNT; AND MAKING A FINDING OF EXEMPTION UNDER THE
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT.

THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARAMOUNT DOES HEREBY ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:

SECTION 1. Purpose and Findings. The City Council finds and declares as follows:

A. California Constitution Article XI, Section 7, enables the City of Paramount (“the City”) to enact local planning and land use regulations; and B. The authority to adopt and enforce zoning regulations is an exercise of the City’s police power to protect the public health, safety, and welfare; and C. The City desires to ensure that development occurs in a prudently effective manner, consistent with the goals and objectives of the General Plan as updated and adopted by the City Council on August 7, 2007 and reasonable land use planning principles; and
D. The Planning Commission held a duly noticed public hearing on September 3, 2025 at which time it considered all evidence presented, both written and oral, and at the end of the hearing voted to adopt Resolution No. PC 25:025, recommending that the City Council adopt this Ordinance; and E. The City Council held a duly noticed public hearing on this Ordinance on December 16, 2025, at which time it considered all evidence presented, both written and oral.

ORDINANCE NO. 1213

Page 2 ends

SECTION 2. The Recitals set forth hereinabove are true and correct and incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth herein.

SECTION 3. Section 17.24.050 (Development standards in general) of the Paramount Municipal Code is hereby amended in its entirety to read as follows:

A. All new buildings constructed in the C-3 (General Commercial) zone shall conform to the adopted commercial design guidelines of the central business district.

B. Existing buildings within the C-3 zone that are remodeled or expanded shall be brought to compliance with the provisions of the commercial design guidelines, as determined by the Planning and Building Director.

SECTION 4. Section 17.28.110 (Development standards in general) is hereby added to the Paramount Municipal Code to read as follows:

Section 17.28.110 Development standards in general.

A. All new buildings constructed in the C-M (Commercial-Manufacturing) zone shall conform to the adopted commercial design guidelines of the central business district.

B. Existing buildings within the C-M zone that are remodeled or expanded shall be brought to compliance with the provisions of the commercial design guidelines, as determined by the Planning and Building Director.

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.

ORDINANCE NO. 1213

Page 3 ends

SECTION 7. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall take effect 30 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 __ day of ____ 2025.

Peggy Lemons, Mayor
ATTEST
Heidi Luce, City Clerk
To: Honorable City Council
From: John Moreno, City Manager
By: John King, AICP, Planning and Building
Director
Sol Bejarano, Interim Building and
Housing Manager
Date: December 16, 2025
SUBJECT: CONSIDERATION OF ESTABLISHING A DEVELOPMENT IMPACT FEES

PROGRAM THAT INCLUDES COMMERCIAL LINKAGE FEES

APPLICABLE TO CERTAIN NEW ACTIVITIES AND DEVELOPMENTS
WITHIN THE CITY; CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE

DEVELOPMENT IMPACT FEES NEXUS STUDY, THE COMMERCIAL
LINKAGE FEE NEXUS STUDY, AND FEE SCHEDULE; AND MAKING A

FINDING OF EXEMPTION UNDER THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL

QUALITY ACT (CEQA)

BACKGROUND
Development impact fees are one-time charges on new development collected and used by cities and counties to cover the cost of capital facilities and infrastructure to serve new residential and nonresidential growth.

As more time is needed to further evaluate proposed new development impact fees, this item is recommended to be continued to the January 27, 2026 City Council meeting.

RECOMMENDED ACTION
Open the public hearing and continue the item to the January 27, 2026 City Council meeting.

To: Honorable City Council
From: John Moreno, City Manager
By: Lana Dich, Finance Director
Date: December 16, 2025
SUBJECT: APPROVING AN AMENDED ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE BUDGET

AND THE RECOGNIZED OBLIGATION PAYMENT SCHEDULE (ROPS
26-27) FOR THE PERIOD OF JULY 1, 2026 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2027

BACKGROUND
The Recognized Obligation Payment Schedule (ROPS) is the document used to determine the amount of tax increment (now RPTTF) the Successor Agency will be allowed to retain on an annual basis. The ROPS is necessary to meet approved payment obligations of the Successor Agency, as well as the amount of the Successor Agency’s administrative budget. The ROPS must be adopted by the Successor Agency, approved by the County Oversight Board, and submitted to the Department of Finance no later than February 1 of each year.

DISCUSSION
Attached for your review is the amended ROPS 26-27 (Exhibit A) prepared by the Successor Agency for the period of July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. The amount of former tax increment requested, together with other funds on hand, to meet the approved enforceable obligations during the ROPS 26-27 period is $ 5,865,478. This amount includes the administrative budget of $250,000.

Pursuant to Section 34191.4(b), the administrative cost allowance shall be up to three percent of the actual property tax distributed to the Successor Agency by the county auditor-controller in the preceding fiscal year for payment of approved enforceable obligations, reduced by the Successor Agency’s administrative cost allowance and loan repayments made to the City during the preceding fiscal year, subject to a minimum of $250,000, unless such amount is reduced by the Oversight Board or by agreement between the Successor Agency and the State Department of Finance. For Fiscal Year 2026-27, the administrative allowance is $250,000.

This amended ROPS will be submitted to the County’s Fourth District Oversight Board for approval at its special meeting on January 20, 2026. The completed ROPS form and the adopted resolution will then be submitted to the Department of Finance by February 1, 2026.

Agenda Report December 16, 2025
RESOLUTION NO. SAPRA 25:002 Page 2

FISCAL IMPACT
No fiscal impact.

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 6: Efficient, Effective, and Fiscally Responsible - Deliver an efficient and effective City government in a fiscally responsible, transparent and collaborative manner.

RECOMMENDED ACTION
Adopt Resolution No. SAPRA 25:002.

CITY OF PARAMOUNT

LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
RESOLUTION NO. SAPRA 25:002

A RESOLUTION OF THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY FOR THE

PARAMOUNT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY (SUCCESOR AGENCY)

APPROVING AN AMENDED ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE BUDGET AND
THE RECOGNIZED OBLIGATION PAYMENT SCHEDULE (ROPS 26-27) FOR THE PERIOD OF JULY 1, 2026, THROUGH JUNE 30, 2027
WHEREAS, pursuant to ABx 1 26, enacted on June 28, 2011, and as subsequently amended by AB 1484, SB 341, and SB 107 ("Dissolution Act"), the Redevelopment Agency to the City of Paramount was dissolved as of February 1, 2012, and the City of Paramount elected to serve as the Successor Agency to the former Redevelopment Agency to the City of Paramount; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 34179 (q), commencing on and after July 1, 2018, the County of Los Angeles, where more than 40 oversight boards were created by the Dissolution Act, shall have five consolidated oversight boards, each encompassing the five supervisorial districts; and WHEREAS, the 4th Supervisorial District Consolidated Oversight Board ("Oversight Board") has jurisdiction over the Successor Agency of the former Redevelopment Agency to the City of Paramount as set out in Health and Safety Code Section 34179(q); and
WHEREAS, upon the Successor Agency for the Paramount Redevelopment Agency Board’s approval of its ROPS 26-27 (Exhibit A) and administrative budget for July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027 by its Resolution No. SAPRA 25:002 on December 16, 2025, it will be submitted to the County Oversight Board on January 20, 2026 for its approval, along with all other required information and/or documents.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY OF THE CITY OF PARAMOUNT AS FOLLOWS:

SECTION 1. The above recitations are true and correct.

SECTION 2. The ROPS 26-27 (Exhibit A) which includes its administrative budget of the Successor Agency of the former Redevelopment Agency to the City of Paramount for July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, in the amount of $ 5,865,478 is approved.

SECTION 3. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption.

RESOLUTION NO. SAPRA 25:002

Page 2 ends

PASSED, APPROVED, and ADOPTED by the Successor Agency for the Paramount Redevelopment Agency of the City of Paramount this 16th day of December 2025.
________________________________
Peggy Lemons, Mayor
ATTEST:
___________________________
Heidi Luce, City Clerk
RESOLUTION NO. SAPRA 25:002

Page 2 ends

EXHIBIT A
Recognized Obligation Payment Schedule (ROPS 26-27) - Summary Filed for the July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027 Period Successor Agency: Paramount
County: Los Angeles
Current Period Requested Funding for Enforceable
Obligations (ROPS Detail)
26-27A Total
(July -
December)
26-27B Total
(January -
June)
ROPS 26-27
Total
A Enforceable Obligations Funded as Follows (B+C+D) $ 4,440,000 $ 195 $ 4,440,195 B Bond Proceeds - - -
C Reserve Balance 4,440,000 - 4,440,000
D Other Funds - 195 195
E Redevelopment Property Tax Trust Fund (RPTTF) (F+G) $ 1,417,478 $ 7,805 $ 1,425,283 F RPTTF 1,167,478 7,805 1,175,283
G Administrative RPTTF 250,000 - 250,000
H Current Period Enforceable Obligations (A+E) $ 5,857,478 $ 8,000 $ 5,865,478 Certification of Oversight Board Chairman:

Name Title
Pursuant to Section 34177 (o) of the Health and Safety
code, I hereby certify that the above is a true and
accurate Recognized Obligation Payment Schedule for
the above named successor agency. /s/
Signature Date
Paramount
Recognized Obligation Payment Schedule (ROPS 26-27) - ROPS Detail July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W
Item
# Project Name Obligation Type
Agreement
Execution
Date
Agreement
Termination
Date
Payee Description Project
Area
Total
Outstanding
Obligation
Retired
ROPS
26-27
Total
ROPS 26-27A (Jul - Dec)
26-27A
Total
ROPS 26-27B (Jan - Jun)
26-27B
Total
Fund Sources Fund Sources
Bond
Proceeds
Reserve
Balance
Other
Funds RPTTF Admin RPTTF
Bond
Proceeds
Reserve
Balance
Other
Funds
RPTTF
Admin
RPTTF
$5,865,478 $5,865,478 $- $4,440,000 $- $1,167,478 $250,000 $5,857,478 $- $- $195 $7,805 $- $8,000 2 2010 Tax
Allocation
Bonds Series A
Bonds
Issued
On or
Before
12/31/10
06/17/
2010
08/01/2027 Bank of
New York
Bond issue Area
1-1/81
- Y $- - - - - - $- - - - - - $-
4 1998 Tax
Allocation
Bonds
Bonds
Issued
On or
Before
12/31/10
01/21/
1998
08/01/2026 Bank of
New York
Bond issue Area
1-1/81
4,440,000 N $4,440,000 - 4,440,000 - - - $4,440,000 - - - - - $- 6 Fiscal Agent
Fees
Fees 01/21/
1998
06/30/2027 Bank of
New York
Bond
administration-1998,
2010A,
Area
1-1/81
3,000 N $3,000 - - - - - $- - - 195 2,805 - $3,000
7 Arbitrage
Calculation
Fees 01/21/
1998
06/30/2026 BLX
Group
Arbitrage
calculation- 1998;
2010A
Area
1-1/81
4,250 N $4,250 - - - 4,250 - $4,250 - - - - - $-
58 Administrative
Reimbursement
Admin
Costs
07/01/
2025
07/01/2026 City of
Paramount
$250,000 annual
minimum
All 250,000 N $250,000 - - - - 250,000 $250,000 - - - - - $- 87 2010 Tax
Allocation
Bonds Series A
Reserves 06/17/
2010
08/01/2027 Bank of
New York
Reserve for August
1 Debt Service
Area
1-1/81
- Y $- - - - - - $- - - - - - $-
89 1998 Tax
Allocation
Bonds
Reserves 01/21/
1998
08/01/2026 Bank of
New York
Reserve for August
1 Debt Service
Area
1-1/81
- Y $- - - - - - $- - - - - - $-
93 Bonds
Continuing
Disclosure
Fees 06/30/
2015
08/01/2026 Kosmont Disclosure Reports Area
1-1/81
5,000 N $5,000 - - - - - $- - - - 5,000 - $5,000
98 2025
Refunding
Loan
City/
County
Loans
After 6/
27/11
02/01/
2025
08/01/2026 EverBank,
N.A.

Refunding of 2010
Tax Allocation
Bonds Series A
Area
1-1/81
1,163,228 N $1,163,228 - - - 1,163,228 - $1,163,228 - - - - - $- Paramount
Recognized Obligation Payment Schedule (ROPS 26-27) - Report of Cash Balances July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024
(Report Amounts in Whole Dollars)
Pursuant to Health and Safety Code section 34177 (l), Redevelopment Property Tax Trust Fund (RPTTF) may be listed as a source of payment on the ROPS, but only to the extent no other funding source is available or when payment from property tax revenues is required by an enforceable obligation.

A B C D E F G H
ROPS 23-24 Cash Balances
(07/01/23 - 06/30/24)
Fund Sources
Comments
Bond Proceeds Reserve Balance Other Funds RPTTF
Bonds issued
on or before
12/31/10
Bonds issued
on or after
01/01/11
Prior ROPS
RPTTF and
Reserve
Balances retained
for future
period(s)
Rent, grants,
interest, etc.

Non-Admin
and Admin
1 Beginning Available Cash Balance (Actual 07/01/23)
RPTTF amount should exclude "A" period distribution
amount.
1,764,883 5,019,169 143 44,146
2 Revenue/Income (Actual 06/30/24)
RPTTF amount should tie to the ROPS 23-24 total
distribution from the County Auditor-Controller
149,565 195 5,997,093
3 Expenditures for ROPS 23-24 Enforceable Obligations
(Actual 06/30/24)
5,019,169 42 6,001,271
4 Retention of Available Cash Balance (Actual 06/30/24) RPTTF amount retained should only include the amounts
distributed as reserve for future period(s)
1,914,448 101 41,282
5 ROPS 23-24 RPTTF Prior Period Adjustment
RPTTF amount should tie to the Agency's ROPS 23-24 PPA
form submitted to the CAC
No entry required 500
6 Ending Actual Available Cash Balance (06/30/24)
C to F = (1 + 2 - 3 - 4), G = (1 + 2 - 3 - 4 - 5)
$- $- $- $195 $(1,814)
Paramount
Recognized Obligation Payment Schedule (ROPS 26-27) - Notes July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027
Item # Notes/Comments
2 Refunded to 2025 Loan
4 6
7 58
87 Refunded to 2025 Loan
89 93
98

Paramount City CouncilDecember 16, 2025

Paramount City Council
December 16, 2025