Paramount, CA Homelessness & Encampment Rules: Encampment Sanitation (2026)

Chapter 12.52 (Storage of Personal Property in Public Areas), adopted by Ord. 1190 on 12/17/2024, is the City of Paramount's cleanup protocol. Its stated purpose is to keep public areas in a clean, sanitary, safe and accessible condition. A public area means streets, alleys, public parking lots, public parks, public rights-of-way, parkways, public sidewalks, recreational areas and other publicly owned or controlled property, and to store means to put aside, accumulate, or leave personal property unattended there. Property left in a park at closing time is immediately impounded, attended or not (§ 12.52.030(B)).

Notice. Stored property can be impounded without notice if there is a reasonable belief that it is abandoned, presents an immediate threat to public health or safety, is evidence of a crime or a criminal investigation, or is contraband. The City can post signs in public areas stating that stored property will be impounded, and those signs serve as the notice. Otherwise a notice is left at or near the property advising that it will be impounded if not removed, and the notice specifies a time (§ 12.52.050). After impoundment a notice is left in a conspicuous place saying where the property is kept and when and where the owner can claim it (§ 12.52.060).

Holding and disposal. The Public Safety Director deposits the property in a safe place for at least 90 days, with money going to the Finance Director for not less than 90 days. An owner can claim it on proof of ownership satisfactory to the Public Safety Director after 10 days' notice by mail to any other claimant. After 90 days the City can appropriate it for public use or sell it at public auction on at least five days' published notice. Perishable property, contraband, evidence and anything posing an immediate health or safety threat can be disposed of immediately without notice (§ 12.52.120).

Camping rules elsewhere. Section 9.04.440 bars camping in any vehicle parked in a public place between 9:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m., and § 9.32.140 says camping on or within any park or recreational facility is unlawful and prohibited.