Article 7 — Signs in the Public Right-of-Way, Public Property and Parkways—Prohibited

• A. No person may paint, mark or write on, or post or otherwise affix any sign to or upon any tree, shrub, tree stake or guard, or upon any public building or structure, or upon any building or structure located upon public property or in, over or across the public rights-ofway, or within a parkway.

• B. For the purposes of this section, the following definitions shall apply:

  1. "Sign" means any whole or part of a display board, wall, screen or object, illustration or insignia used to announce, declare, demonstrate, display or otherwise present a message and attract the attention of the public, except for the following:

     • a. Announcements or advertisements by the City for City-sponsored meetings, classes, activities, services or events; and

     • b. Announcements or advertisements of City or another public entity's governmental acts or proposed acts, including agendas of public meetings; and

     • c. Directories of City government or other governmental organizations and entities.

  2. "Building" or "structure" shall be defined as is set forth in Title 15, of the Paramount Municipal Code, and adopted by reference.

  3. "Parkway" means either the:

     • a. Area between the curb and sidewalk within a fully improved street right-of-way or landscaped area, including a parkway tree; or

     • b. That area extending from the curb towards the nearest easement line in an area with no sidewalk; or

     • c. Any area within a street right-of-way in which a parkway tree or other landscaped area is located.

• C. This section shall not apply to:

  1. Official City signs, traffic signs, and City-owned directional signs to points of particular public interest; and

  2. Signs or notices posted or displayed by a public utility if required by the California Public Utilities Commission; and

  3. Other signs or notices ordered posted by a court of competent jurisdiction, or required to be displayed or posted by statute.

(Prior code § 30-52)

• A. Signs posted or otherwise affixed in violation of this article are a public nuisance and may

Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/PA4983 on 2026-07-07

City of Paramount, CA § 9.04.540

PARAMOUNT CODE

§ 9.04.540

be removed by the City Manager or authorized designee.

• B. The person responsible for any such illegal posting shall be liable for an administrative fine and for the cost incurred in the removal thereof, and the City's Finance Department is authorized to effect the collection of said administrative fine and costs incurred by the City of Paramount. The first violation in a calendar year is subject to an administrative fine not to exceed $100.00. Subsequent violations in the same calendar year will result in a second fine not to exceed $200.00. The fine for the third administrative violation in a calendar year is $500.00. More than three administrative fines in one calendar year shall result in the violation being charged as a misdemeanor in Superior Court and subject to all penalties applicable to criminal violations.

• C.

• For purposes of this section, there shall be a presumption that:

1. The real estate agent, broker, brokerage firm or other person whose name or telephone number appears on the sign is the person responsible for posting a sign advertising property for sale, lease or rent;

2. The candidate seeking office is the person responsible for posting a sign promoting the candidate for public office;

3. The owner, or lessee if the property is leased, of property used for a yard or garage sale is the person responsible for posting a sign advertising a yard or garage sale;

4. The owner, or lessee if the property is leased, of property used for a commercial activity or event is the person responsible for posting a sign advertising the subject commercial activity or event;

5. The person whose name, telephone number or address appears as the sponsor for a sporting event, concert, theatrical performance, or similar activity or event is the person responsible for posting a sign advertising the subject activity or event; and

6. The person whose name, telephone number or address appears as the person to contact on any sign posted is the person responsible for having posted the same.

The person presumed to be responsible for posting a sign on public property or parkways in violation of this article may rebut such presumption by declaring under penalty of perjury or swearing under oath that the person did not cause, authorize, allow or permit the posting of the sign on public property or parkway.

• D. With the concurrence of the City Manager, the Public Works Department, or Code Enforcement Department shall determine the verifiable costs to the City pursuant to this section. Such costs shall include, but not be limited to, direct labor, material and equipment costs, as well as departmental and general City overhead costs attributable to the removal of signs. The City Council shall adopt a schedule of charges which persons responsible for the illegal posting of signs are required to pay pursuant to this section, based on those costs.

• E. The City shall not be liable for damage to signs which occurred due to their placement on public property, public rights-of-way, or parkways or their removal, transportation, or storage.

• F. Persons billed for the costs and penalties of removing signs may appeal such costs and charges.

Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/PA4983 on 2026-07-07

City of Paramount, CA § 9.04.540 PUBLIC PEACE AND WELFARE

§ 9.04.550

(Prior code § 30-53)

The decision shall be appealable to the City Council. Any decision by the City Council on appeal shall be final.

(Prior code § 30-54)

Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/PA4983 on 2026-07-07

City of Paramount, CA

PUBLIC PEACE AND WELFARE

§ 9.04.560

§ 9.04.570