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Paramount — Development Standards

Development Standards under the Paramount local zoning and planning code, with the controlling citations.

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Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes the Development Standards in the City of Paramount Zoning Code (Title 17). It pulls the controlling permit and dimensional rules (setbacks, heights, lot coverage/FAR, and density limits) that apply in the City's primary zoning classifications and the PD-PS (planned development) procedure. Where the code prescribes project-type rules (for example ADUs or density bonuses) those are called out with the exact controlling §. For related topics see the city's pages on parking, design review, overlay districts, ADUs, the California Building Standards Code, and landscaping and screening.

All requirements below are summarized from the Paramount Municipal Code (Title 17). Citations to the code are given in-text as the controlling code section (§) and supported by the file-search citation marker for the ordinance extract (for example: ).

District-by-district breakdown

Notes: Title 17 enumerates the City's main zoning classifications in § 17.04.030 (R-1, R-2, R-M, C-3, C-M, M-1, M-2, PD-PS) . Below each district heading lists the chapter(s) and the most decision-relevant dimensional/performance standards the Code establishes.

R-1 — Single-Family Residential (Chapter 17.08)

  • Purpose: Create and protect a single-family living environment; set minimum lot area, yards and open space standards (§ 17.08.010) .
  • Typical permitted uses: one-family dwelling, accessory buildings, greenhouses/home garden, family day care, limited residential care (§ 17.08.020, and uses lists) .
  • Key dimensional standards:
    • Minimum lot area: 5,000 sq ft (minimum; preexisting smaller lots may remain) — § 17.08.050(A) .
    • Minimum lot width: 50 ft — § 17.08.050(B) .
    • Density: 1 dwelling unit per parcel — § 17.08.050(C) .
    • Front yard depth: 20 ft — § 17.08.060(A) .
    • Parking: 2 off-street spaces in an enclosed garage (20'×20' minimum) for new construction — § 17.08.080(B) .
    • Objective design review applies to proposed development in R-1 — see Chapter 17.68 (§ 17.08.040) .

Where R-1 code is silent on a particular numeric item (e.g., lot coverage expressed as a percentage), confirm with Planning; the Code gives specific lot and yard minima but not a single universal "lot coverage" percent in the R-1 chapter (search: Not found in retrieved materials).

R-2 — Medium Density Residential (Chapter 17.12)

  • Purpose: Allow limited increase in population density with protections for family living standards (§ 17.12.010) .
  • Typical permitted uses: one-family and multiple-family dwellings, accessory structures, limited institutional uses (§ 17.12.020) .
  • Key dimensional standards:
    • Side yard (interior lot): 5 ft; street-side on corner lots: 10 ft — § 17.12.020(B) and related yard rules cited in § 17.12.020 and Chapter 17.44 .
    • Rear yard: 10 ft — § 17.12.020(C) .
    • Accessory building limits: accessory buildings not to exceed 40% of required rear yard area — § 17.12.020(C)(1) .
    • Other R-2 objective design standards and intrusions are handled in the chapter and Chapter 17.44 (yards & permitted intrusions) .

R-M — Multiple-Family Residential (Chapter 17.16)

  • Purpose: Provide for apartment/multifamily housing, variable density applications and compatible transitions to adjacent uses (§ 17.16.030) .
  • Typical permitted uses: multiple-family dwellings, single-family dwellings, accessory uses, certain public uses (§ 17.16.040) .
  • Key dimensional standards:
    • Maximum building height: 40 ft — § 17.16.110(A) .
    • Side yard: 5 ft general; increased by 1 ft per entrance where multiple dwellings front the side, up to 10 ft; street-side corner setback can be 15 ft to the street side — § 17.16.110(B) and § 17.16.040(B) .
    • Rear yard: 10 ft — § 17.16.110(C) .
    • Parking: two covered spaces per unit, guest parking at one space per unit, and parking design requirements are in § 17.16.125 and § 17.16.125(C) (site planning and parking) .
    • Minimum unit sizes and other objective standards are specified in § 17.16.110(B) (minimum unit floor areas) .

C-3 — General Commercial (Chapter 17.24)

  • Purpose: Retail and general commercial uses, with limits on height, ground coverage and floor space to manage intensity (§ 17.24.010) .
  • Typical permitted uses: retail stores, banks, offices, restaurants, service businesses (detailed list in § 17.24.020) .
  • Key dimensional standards:
    • Maximum building height: 45 ft — § 17.24.070(A)(1) .
    • Maximum floor area (FAR equivalent): total floor area shall not exceed two times the lot area (i.e., FAR = 2.0) — § 17.24.070(B) .
    • Yard and frontage rules are in § 17.24.060 (e.g., minimum front yard normally 10 ft; rear yard may be none) — § 17.24.060 .
    • Site design and landscaping conditions apply (see § 17.24.050 and the landscaping chapter) .

C-M, M-1, M-2 — Commercial-Manufacturing and Manufacturing Zones (Chapters 17.28 / 17.32 / 17.36)

  • Purpose: Allow progressively heavier commercial/manufacturing uses with performance standards to control nuisances and public impacts (see zone chapters) .
  • Key dimensional standards (examples):
    • M-2 (Heavy Manufacturing): maximum height 55 ft; pollution control equipment allowed up to 85 ft; maximum floor area = 2.5 × lot area (FAR = 2.5) — §§ 17.36.110–120 .
    • Yard, setback, and prohibited-uses lists are specifically detailed in those chapters (see § 17.36.100 for prohibited uses and § 17.36.110/120 for height/FAR) .

PD-PS — Planned Development with Performance Standards (Chapter 17.72)

  • Purpose: Uses a site-specific ordinance or specific plan in lieu of some zoning standards to achieve higher-quality, integrated projects; standards are established by the PD ordinance or specific plan and recorded as covenants (§ 17.72.010–020) .
  • How it applies: PD-PS may adopt either the standards of an underlying zone or an alternative set of development standards stated on the final development plan; final plan must be recorded prior to permits (§ 17.72.030, 17.72.100) .
  • Practical note: PD-PS projects often tailor height, setbacks, coverage and open space; always review the adoptive PD ordinance and final development plan recorded against the parcel (Verify with the jurisdiction).

Quick reference table — most decision-relevant standards

District Typical max height Front setback (typical) Side/rear setbacks (typical) Max FAR / lot coverage / density Typical permitted uses Code Reference
R-1 Not to exceed standard single-family limits (see § 17.08.070) 20 ft front yard depth Side/Rear: per § 17.08.060 and related (corner side 10 ft; interior variable) 1 unit/parcel; min lot 5,000 sq ft One-family dwellings; accessory structures; ADUs §§ 17.08.050–060
R-2 (Medium density; chapter standards apply) Varies; front yard rules in Chapter 17.44 Side: 5 ft (corner street side 10 ft); Rear: 10 ft Lot-area & unit rules per Chapter 17.12; accessory bldg ≤ 40% rear yard One- & multi-family dwellings; accessory Chapter 17.12 and § 17.12.020
R-M 40 ft maximum See § 17.40.020 yard schedule for new dev Side: 5 ft (increased for entrances); Rear: 10 ft Density controlled by General Plan / specific plan; see § 17.20.010 for max 22 du/acre rule Apartments, multi-family, some public uses §§ 17.16.110, 17.16.040, 17.20.010
C-3 45 ft Typical minimum 10 ft (Chapter 17.24/17.44) Side/rear per § 17.24.060 FAR = 2.0 (max floor area = 2 × lot area) Retail, offices, restaurants (detailed list in § 17.24.020) §§ 17.24.070–060
M-2 55 ft (pollution eqpt up to 85 ft) Project-specific; industrial yard rules apply Industrial yard minimums and landscaping rules FAR = 2.5 (max 2.5 × lot area) Heavy manufacturing uses (many uses prohibited) §§ 17.36.110–120, 17.36.100
PD-PS Per PD ordinance / specific plan Per PD ordinance / specific plan Per PD ordinance / specific plan Per PD or underlying zone; PD may set unique standards Mixed; site-specific planned developments Chapter 17.72 (§§ 17.72.010–100)

Notes on front-setback tables: the Code contains a height-to-front-setback schedule for “new development” (front setback increases with building height and lot depth) – see § 17.40.020 (E) and associated yard standards tables for numerical front-setback bands (e.g., 0–30 ft height => smaller front setback; taller heights => larger front setback) .

ADUs and small-unit rules (Chapter 17.104)

  • ADUs are permitted in all residential and mixed-use zones that allow residential uses; JADUs allowed only with a single-family dwelling (§ 17.104.040) .
  • Key ADU dimensional rules you must follow:
    • Rear/side setbacks for detached ADUs: 4 ft minimum — § 17.104.140(A) .
    • Attached ADUs: rear/side 4 ft minimum unless conversion of existing structure (see § 17.104.140(B)) .
    • Height caps: detached ADUs generally 16 ft (with specific exceptions to 18 ft or 25 ft depending on proximity to transit or roof slope/position; attached ADUs up to 25 ft) — § 17.104.120 .
    • ADUs are ministerial if they meet Chapter 17.104 objective standards and the City must approve/deny within 60 days of a complete application — § 17.104.050 .

For ADU interaction with density limits: the code states ADUs that conform to the chapter are “deemed not to exceed the allowable density” — § 17.104.030 and § 17.104.040 .

Checklist — what an applicant must satisfy (high-level)

  • Confirm zone of the parcel (see § 17.04.030) and applicable overlay/specific plan or PD-PS ordinances .
  • Verify district-specific lot, width, yard and height minima in the applicable chapter (R-1: § 17.08.050–060; R-2: Chapter 17.12; R-M: § 17.16.040–110; C-3: § 17.24.060–070) .
  • If proposing an ADU/JADU, confirm Chapter 17.104 dimensional/height/setback rules and ministerial timing (§ 17.104.050) .
  • Confirm off-street parking and guest parking requirements and how they apply to the project (see parking and Chapter 17.44 / zone parking chapters) .
  • Prepare landscape plan consistent with Chapter 17.96 and front/setback landscaping rules (front setbacks must be landscaped per Chapter 17.44 and yard rules) .
  • Determine whether Design Review or Residential Review Board review is required (see Chapter 17.68 and specific zone design-review triggers) .
  • For density-bonus or affordable housing incentives, include all required density-bonus documentation; the City must consider waivers/adjustments where state law requires (§ 17.114.120, § 17.20.010) .
  • If seeking variances/exceptions, consult Chapter 17.48 (Director may grant 10% variances administratively for some yard/dwelling-size items) — § 17.48.010 .

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue Why it matters What to verify
Front-setback numeric that applies to your lot The Code contains multiple front-setback tables that depend on lot depth and building height; applying the wrong band changes allowable buildable area Confirm which front-setback table and building-height band applies to your lot depth and planned height; see § 17.40.020 (E) (yard standards tables)
Lot-coverage / FAR for certain residential zones Some residential chapters specify minimums/maximums differently (the Code gives explicit FARs for commercial/industrial but not a single percent in every residential chapter) Check your zone chapter and any PD/specific-plan text recorded against your parcel; if absent, verify with Planning. If you need a numeric coverage cap for R-1/R-2, the code text does not state a single universal percent — Verify with jurisdiction (Not found in retrieved materials).
PD-PS / Specific-plan deviations PD-PS can replace standard rules with site-specific standards — projects must match the PD ordinance and final recorded plan Always pull the PD ordinance and recorded final plan for the parcel. See Chapter 17.72 (§ 17.72.010–100)
ADU height exceptions and transit proximity ADU detached height may be 16', 18' or 25' depending on context (transit corridor, roof slope, multi-story primary dwelling) — misreading causes denials Follow Chapter 17.104.120 precisely and confirm the property’s transit proximity or multi-family context; see § 17.104.120
Density interpretation for R‑M and specific plans Voter-adopted density cap (22 du/acre) limits local specific-plan densities except for senior housing — critical for multifamily projects Confirm whether your site is within a “special housing opportunity” specific plan and whether the 22 du/acre cap applies; see § 17.20.010

Plain-English Summary

Paramount’s zoning code (Title 17) sets district-specific min lot sizes, setbacks, parking, height caps and floor-area limits: single-family (R-1) lots must meet 5,000 sq ft / 50 ft width / 20 ft front-yard rules (§ 17.08.050–060) while multi-family (R-M) allows taller, denser buildings but still requires side and rear yards and a 40 ft height cap (§ 17.16.110); commercial zones like C-3 allow up to 45 ft and a maximum floor area equal to 2× the lot area (FAR = 2.0) (§ 17.24.070). ADUs have their own ministerial chapter with small setbacks (4 ft) and specific height bands — follow Chapter 17.104 exactly for ADU approvals. All development must also meet the yard/landscape, parking, and design-review rules in the code. Verify site- or PD-specific standards before final design.

Source References

  • Paramount Municipal Code, Title 17 — Zoning classifications and purposes: § 17.04.030
  • R-1 single-family standards (lot size, width, yards, uses): §§ 17.08.010–080
  • R-2 medium-density standards: Chapter 17.12 (§ 17.12.020)
  • R-M multiple-family standards (height, yards, parking): §§ 17.16.030–110
  • C-3 general commercial standards (height, floor area, yard): §§ 17.24.010–070, 17.24.060
  • M-2 industrial standards (height/FAR, prohibited uses): §§ 17.36.100, 17.36.110–120
  • PD-PS (planned development with performance standards): Chapter 17.72 (§§ 17.72.010–100)
  • Yard and front-setback schedule; permitted yard intrusions and measurements: § 17.44.020–300 and § 17.40.020 (E) (yard standards tables)
  • ADU standards (setbacks, height, ministerial timing): Chapter 17.104 (§§ 17.104.030–140, 17.104.050)
  • Density cap (multiple-family): § 17.20.010 (22 du/acre maximum; 70 du/acre for senior housing exceptions)
  • Design Review / Residential Review Board: Chapter 17.68 (§ 17.68.010 et seq.)

(Primary source document used for this page: Paramount_ZoningCode.md, excerpts from Title 17 as returned by the file search tool.)

Sources

Retrieved passages

  • CFC § 44 (§ 44-284) High relevance
  • Paramount Zoning Code (§ 44-227) High relevance
  • Paramount Zoning Code High relevance
  • Paramount Zoning Code (§ 44-212) High relevance
  • Paramount Zoning Code (title shall) High relevance
  • Paramount Zoning Code (title is) High relevance
  • Paramount Zoning Code (§ 44-235) High relevance
  • Paramount Zoning Code (title as) High relevance
  • Paramount Zoning Code (§ 17.104.110.) High relevance
  • Paramount Zoning Code (§ 17.72.090.) High relevance
  • Paramount Zoning Code (§ 44-47) High relevance
  • Paramount Zoning Code (§ 44-65) High relevance
  • Paramount Zoning Code (§ 44-105) Medium relevance
  • Paramount Zoning Code (§ 44-65) Medium relevance
  • Paramount Zoning Code (§ 44-118) Medium relevance
  • Paramount Zoning Code (§ 17.36.100.) Medium relevance
  • Paramount Zoning Code (Chapter 17.20.) Medium relevance
  • Paramount Zoning Code (title shall) Medium relevance
  • CBC § 4 (chapter will) Medium relevance
  • Paramount Zoning Code (§ 44-19) Medium relevance
  • Paramount Zoning Code (§ 44-28.2) Medium relevance

Cited sections

Frequently asked questions

What can I build on an R-1 lot in Paramount?

You can build a one-family dwelling and accessory buildings on an R-1 lot; R-1 sets a minimum lot area of 5,000 sq ft, minimum lot width 50 ft, 20 ft front yard, and other yard/parking rules that apply to the lot — see §§ 17.08.020 and 17.08.050–060 for uses and dimensional rules .

What are Paramount setback requirements for new development?

Setbacks vary by zone and by project height/lot depth. For single-family R-1, front yards are 20 ft (§ 17.08.060). The Code also contains a front-setback schedule tied to building height and lot depth for “new development” (see the yard-standards tables and front-setback bands in § 17.40.020 (E)) — confirm the correct band for your lot depth and proposed height .

Do I need design review in Paramount?

Many residential projects in R-1, R-2, and R-M are subject to design review by the Residential Review Board or the Development Review Board; Chapter 17.68 sets review and findings requirements (see § 17.68.040 for permit conditions) — verify whether your project qualifies for administrative approval or full board review (§ 17.60.040 outlines the Development Review Board findings) .

What are the height limits in the main districts?

Common numeric caps in Title 17 include: R‑M: 40 ft (§ 17.16.110); C‑3: 45 ft (§ 17.24.070); M‑2: 55 ft (pollution equipment up to 85 ft) (§ 17.36.110) — individual zones and PD or specific-plan text may modify these — always check the zone chapter for your site .

What floor-area or FAR limits apply?

Commercial and industrial chapters state maximum floor area as a multiple of lot area (e.g., C-3 max floor area = 2× lot area, i.e., FAR = 2.0, § 17.24.070(B); M-2 max floor area = 2.5× lot area, § 17.36.120) — many residential chapters do not express limits as a single FAR; check the specific zone chapter and any PD/specific-plan text for residential FAR/coverage rules .

Does Paramount cap multifamily density?

Yes. Except for qualified senior housing, no density shall exceed 22 dwelling units per acre under the City’s initiative-regulating-density language (§ 17.20.010) — senior citizen housing may go up to 70 du/acre when qualifying conditions are met .

How do ADU rules interact with setbacks and density?

ADUs are allowed in all residential zones; Chapter 17.104 provides ministerial dimensional rules (e.g., 4 ft side/rear for detached ADUs; height bands at 16 ft, 18 ft, or 25 ft depending on context) and says conforming ADUs are “deemed not to exceed allowable density” — see §§ 17.104.120–140 and 17.104.030–050 .

Can the City reduce development standards for affordable housing or density bonuses?

Yes — the City administers the state density bonus program and may waive or modify development standards to the extent required by state law for density bonuses, incentives, or concessions. See the density-bonus administration provisions in Chapter 17.114 and the City’s duty to provide waivers where state law requires (§ 17.114.120 and § 17.20.010) .

Where are front-setback increases tied to building height documented?

The Code’s front-setback schedule linked to building height and lot depth is in the yard-standards language and tables; consult § 17.40.020 (E) and the yard/open-space provisions in Chapter 17.44 to apply the correct numeric band for your lot and building height .

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