Paramount : Rent Control Put to a Vote

The City Council has voted to hold a special election Dec. 8 to determine if there should be rent control in Paramount’s 19 mobile home parks. The council Tuesday voted 4-0-1, with Councilwoman Esther Caldwell abstaining, to refer the issue to the voters.

Last month, the council received more than 1,500 signatures on petitions calling for a referendum on rent control. At least 10% or 1,100 valid signatures of the city’s registered voters were needed to put the issue on the ballot. The Los Angeles County registrar-recorder’s office certified the signatures.

The council tentatively had approved a mobile home park rent control ordinance in July but put it on hold while considering whether to place it on the ballot.

The council debated placing the issue before voters after the petitions were gathered by representatives of the Paramount Mobile Park Owners Assn.

If the mobile home park rent control ordinance fails, the council is restricted by law from taking up the issue again before a 12-month period has passed.