Paramount, CA Water Use Rules: Turf Replacement Rebates (2026)

Section 12.32.050 of the Paramount Municipal Code, titled Drought tolerant planting, adds landscape rules for the parkway, the portion of a public right-of-way that is available for landscaping and not for curb, gutter or pavement. It covers the R-1 (Single-Family), R-2 (Medium Density), R-M (Multiple-Family), C-3 (General Commercial), C-M (Commercial Manufacturing), M-1 (Light Manufacturing) and M-2 (Heavy Manufacturing) zones.

Subsection A lists the permitted materials: live turf, drought tolerant plants, compost, mulch and artificial turf, alone or in any combination. Subsection B requires live plant materials to make up a majority, more than 65%, of the residential parkway, exclusive of permitted driveways, with all other areas covered by live plant materials apart from permitted non-living material. Subsection C then states that parkway landscaping shall consist of artificial turf or drought tolerant plants. Because A names live turf and C does not, ask the Public Works Department before planting new lawn in a parkway. The Public Works Director or designee is the City representative who administers and enforces the chapter. The chapter defines drought tolerant landscaping as plantings that require low water use and are included in the Metropolitan Water District's California Friendly Garden Guide catalogue. Under § 12.32.030, the owner of residential property whose property includes a parkway tree must landscape and properly maintain the parkway adjacent to the property.

Subsection D sends parkways in the C-3, C-M, M-1 and M-2 zones to the Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance and Chapter 17.96. Separately, § 13.09.100 applies MWELO compost and mulch rules to a new project with landscape area greater than 500 square feet or a rehabilitated landscape greater than 2,500 square feet: four cubic yards of compost per 1,000 square feet of permeable area incorporated to a depth of six inches, and a minimum three-inch layer of mulch. Stage 4 of the water shortage program, § 13.04.550, prohibits planting new turf grass.