Paramount, CA Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)

Section 13.20.470 applies to any person owning, leasing, occupying or having charge or possession of property in the City of Paramount. Its list begins with buildings that are abandoned, partially destroyed or left in an unreasonable state of partial construction, defined as an unfinished structure in the course of construction two years or more. It continues with unpainted buildings with dry rot, warping or termite infestation, broken windows, damaged or defective exteriors, walls, fences, driveways and sidewalks, lumber, junk or salvage visible from a public street or alley, abandoned furniture and fixtures visible from the street, deteriorated signs, vehicles parked in required front yard setbacks in a residential zone except on a paved drive approach to a required garage, clotheslines in front yard areas, oil accumulations, dead or diseased turf and plants, and graffiti-defaced exteriors.

Section 13.20.490 declares property maintained in violation a public nuisance to be abated by rehabilitation, demolition or repair, without limiting other enforcement. The procedure starts with a written notice from the Director of Planning or a designated City official naming the sections violated and setting a reasonable time limit (§ 13.20.500). If the owner does not comply, the Director holds an administrative review hearing on not less than 14 days' notice (§§ 13.20.510 and 13.20.520). On a finding of nuisance, the Director can order abatement within 30 days by rehabilitation, repair or demolition (§ 13.20.530).

An owner can appeal to the Board of Appeals by filing at the Planning Department within 10 days of service, and the hearing is set not less than seven nor more than 35 days after filing (§ 13.20.540). A further appeal goes to the City Council through the City Clerk within seven days (§ 13.20.560). An owner can do the work at his or her own expense if it is commenced before the 30-day period expires and diligently continued (§ 13.20.550). Otherwise the City Council can direct City abatement (§ 13.20.580). Chapter 15.44 separately adopts the 1997 Uniform Code for the Abatement of Dangerous Buildings by reference, and § 8.37.020 ties "dangerous building" to that chapter.