Chapter 17.108 — CANNABIS CULTIVATION, INDOOR

Cannabis cultivation, indoor shall be permitted within a legally permitted single private residence in all zones within the jurisdictional limits of the City of Paramount to the extent such cultivation is permitted by State law and subject to compliance with the following requirements. For purposes of this section, the term "private residence" shall have the same meaning as the definition set forth in Section 5.68.010 of this Code, as that section may be amended from time to time.

• A. Cultivation is limited to six or fewer living cannabis plants per private residence.

• B. Cultivation is permitted only within fully enclosed and secure structures within or upon the grounds of the private residence that are inaccessible to persons under the age of 21. Cultivation areas shall be secured by lock and key or other security device which prevents unauthorized entry and shall not be visible from the public right-of-way. The total area cultivated shall not exceed 100 square feet and not exceed 10 feet in height, nor shall it come within 12 inches of the ceiling or any cultivation lighting. Cultivation is prohibited in common areas such as living rooms, hallways, kitchen, and bathrooms and shall be permitted only in a contiguous area. Cultivation in a greenhouse on the property of the private residence but not physically part of the home is permitted, so long as it is fully enclosed, secure, not visible from a public right-ofway, and meeting all requirements in this Code.

• C. Cultivation shall be limited to a total of six plants, whether immature or mature, within or upon the grounds of the private residence, regardless of how many persons reside at the private

residence.

• D. Any lighting, plumbing, or electrical components used for cultivation shall comply with all applicable State and local laws, including, but not limited to, those relating to land conversion, current building and fire standards, grading, electricity usage, water usage, riparian habitat protection, stormwater and agricultural discharges. Lighting shall not exceed 1,200 watts in total. The use of butane or carbon dioxide and ozone generators for cultivation is prohibited. The use of volatile solvents, as that term is defined under Section 5.68.010 of this Code, for cannabis cultivation is prohibited. Any private residence or fully enclosed and secure structure used for cultivation must have proper ventilation (HVAC) installed and operational, meet building and mechanical codes, and shall not create a humidity or mold problem in violation of this Code or any other applicable State or local health and safety regulations.

• E. Cultivation shall not be conducted in a manner that constitutes a public nuisance or would adversely affect the public health, safety, or welfare, or that interferes with the reasonable enjoyment of life and property by creating light, glare, heat, noise, odor, dust, noxious gases, smoke, traffic, vibration, or other impacts or be hazardous due to use of storage of materials, processes, products, or wastes.

shall not be conducted in a manner that constitutes a public nuisance or would adversely affect the public health, safety, or welfare, or that interferes with the reasonable enjoyment of life and property by creating light, glare, heat, noise, odor, dust, noxious gases, smoke, traffic, vibration, or other impacts or be hazardous due to use of storage of materials, processes, products, or wastes.

• F. Any private residence where cultivation occurs shall remain at all times a residence with legal and functioning cooking, sleeping, and sanitation facilities with proper ingress and egress. The private residence shall not be used primarily or exclusively for cultivation.

• G. A cultivation area shall not displace required off-street parking.

• H. Home occupation permit provisions are inapplicable to cannabis cultivation, indoor activities.

• I. A portable, fully-charged fire extinguisher that complies with the regulations and standards adopted by the State Fire Marshal and all applicable laws shall be kept in every room, space, or area where cultivation occurs.

• J. No cultivation within a private residence is allowed until and unless an administrative permit from the Planning Department is secured, the applicant agrees to comply with all regulations of this chapter, and the applicant allows Planning Department staff access to the proposed cultivation area for an inspection. Any person seeking a permit for cultivation under this section shall provide proof of ownership of the private residence, or, if a tenant or occupant of the private residence, written authorization of the property owner. Any person seeking a permit for cultivation under this section shall occupy the private residence. Only one administrative permit shall be granted per private residence.

• K. No chemical shall be used for marijuana cultivation that contains any substance on the list prepared pursuant to California Health and Safety Code Section 25249.8 ; provided that any chemical specifically approved by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation for Cannabis Cultivation, Indoor may be used in amounts prescribed by the Department of Pesticide Regulation. No chemical used for marijuana cultivation shall be stored in a manner visible from neighboring residences or to individuals located outside the property line or in the public right-of-way.

(Prior code § 44-297; Ord. 1198, 4/22/2025)