Paramount, CA Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)

Section 13.20.280 covers buildings, grounds and lots alike. It makes it unlawful for an owner, lessee or occupant to keep or maintain, or allow to grow or accumulate, grass, weeds or other obstructions on or adjacent to sidewalks, parkings or streets, and any dirt, rubbish, weeds and rank growths or other materials dangerous or injurious to neighboring property or the health or welfare of residents of the vicinity. The trigger is procedural: the City Council has made and entered its order of abatement under Article 5 and the owner, lessee or occupant has not abated the condition. Chapter 13.20 prints no measurement for how tall grass or weeds can grow.

The process runs through Council action. Under § 13.20.350 the City Council declares the growth a public nuisance by resolution. Section 13.20.360 requires the resolution to name the street and describe each property by lot and block according to the official assessment map, and it assigns the Superintendent of Streets to give notice and abate. Notices are posted on or in front of the property (§ 13.20.370): one for each separately owned parcel of not over 50 feet of frontage, not more than two for a parcel of 100 feet of frontage or less, and notices not more than 100 feet apart for longer frontage, posted at least five days before the Council hearing. The heading must read "Notice to Destroy Weeds and Rank Growths and to Remove Rubbish, Refuse, and Dirt" in letters not less than one inch high, and the hearing is held at Council Chambers, 16400 Colorado Avenue.

At the hearing the Council hears objections and its decision is final and conclusive (§ 13.20.390). The abatement order is then served by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, or posted on the property, and the owner has 15 days from mailing or posting to abate before the City officer does the work and enters the property without further notice or liability (§ 13.20.410). The cost report is posted at least three days before it goes to the Council (§ 13.20.420).

Separately, § 13.20.470(M) lists dead, decayed, diseased or hazardous trees, weeds or overgrown vegetation, cultivated or uncultivated, among the unlawful property nuisances on any property in the City of Paramount.