Administration

El Paso City Code tit. 20, ch. 20.18, art. II

in effect

El Paso City Code § 20.18.100 Sign permit.

20.18.100 - Sign permit. A. Sign permit required. The purpose of a permit is to ensure compliance with the provisions of this chapter. A sign permit shall be required prior to the placing, erecting, constructing, moving, installing, displaying, mounting, reconstructing, repairing, relocating, or demolishing of any sign, unless the subject sign or activity is expressly exempted from the permit requirement by this chapter or other applicable law. Signs requiring a permit shall comply with the provisions of this chapter and all other applicable laws and ordinances. B. All new billboards erected within the city shall have the permit number affixed to the structure below the sign face. The number must be visible for a distance of fifty feet from the pole supporting the billboard. C. Decision time. As to all signs which require a permit, the decision on the application for such permit shall be made within thirty business days of submission of a complete application. Decisions on appeals to the zoning board of adjustment shall be made by the zoning board of adjustment within 30 business days from the date the board hears the appeal. This time limit shall apply anew to each stage of review or appeal. After receipt of a complete sign application, the planning official shall render a decision to approve, approve with modifications or conditions, or deny the sign request. Unless the applicant waives time, failure of the planning official to issue a written decision within thirty business days shall constitute denial of the application. During the application and appeal procedures, the status quo shall be maintained, unless an existing sign, by virtue of its physical condition, presents an immediate and significant threat to the public safety, in which case it may be removed or repaired pending the outcome of the appeal. D. Review criteria. When reviewing a sign permit application, no consideration shall be given to the proposed message or the proposed graphic design, so long as the intended message is within the protections of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and/or corollary provisions of the Texas Constitution. This provision does not prevent consideration of whether a sign will or will not be used to display offsite commercial messages. Such a review shall ensure that any sign proposal is in conformance with the requirements of this chapter and other applicable law, regulation and policy. E. Any existing moratorium imposed by ordinance of city council regarding the acceptance and issuance of permits shall not apply to the application for and the issuance of permits required under this Code when the purpose is to achieve Code compliance, or applications or permits for the repair and maintenance of existing legal signs, provided that such maintenance and repair does not structurally alter the sign. F. Where the building official determines that a permit was issued in accordance with the law in effect at the time the sign was erected and that such permit was lost or destroyed, the building official shall provide a replacement permit when the sign permit is still valid under such law. G. Sign permit applications must be accompanied by all applicable fees, as established by formal action of city council. H. After a permit application has been submitted, if additional information is requested in order to process the application, then the applicant has ninety days to provide the information or the sign permit application shall be deemed to have been abandoned. One extension of time for a period not to exceed ninety days may be allowed by the permit official if the extension is requested in writing. (Ord. No. 17317, § 1, 5-4-2010; Ord. No. 17442, § 45, 10-26-2010; Ord. No. 17686, § 2, 12-6-2011; Ord. No. 17960, § 3, 2-19-2013)

El Paso City Code § 20.18.110 Application procedure.

20.18.110 - Application procedure. A. Permit—Method of application. An application for a sign permit shall be made on forms as prescribed by the planning official. Such an application shall be filed with the planning division. The application shall be accompanied by any fees or bonds as specified by city council resolution. In addition to all the information required by Title 18 (Building and Construction), the application for a sign permit shall include the following: 1. Permit application—Contents. A sign permit application shall contain the location by street and number of the proposed sign structure, the PID for the property, as well as the name and address of the owner and the sign contractor or installer. One electronic copy, in a format authorized by the planning official, and three copies of the plans, fully dimensioned, shall be filed with the application, including: a. Plot plan, fully dimensioned, showing location and dimensions of all buildings and improvements and the location of each proposed sign together with the location, setback, size and height of all existing signs on the premises/site. The street frontage shall be clearly indicated on the plan as well as the property line; b. Elevation plan, fully dimensioned, showing height and size of each proposed sign, method of illumination and materials of construction, and if a wall sign, the exact location on the face of the building; c. Nearest street intersections and abutting arterials; d. Legal description of the property; e. Zoning; f. Written evidence that the property owner has authorized the placing of the sign(s) on the property; g. Structural and wind load calculations; h. Name, address and city or state sign electrical contractor license number of applicant; i. If the proposed sign is over twenty-four feet high, the certification of an engineer licensed or registered in Texas; and j. Structural details and circulations prepared and signed by an engineer or architect registered in the State. Such details shall be required when the area of the sign exceeds five square feet and the height of the sign exceeds six feet. Structural details shall include all attachments such as satellite dishes, sign cabinets, etc. These plans shall also be submitted electronically in a format authorized by the planning official. 2. A statement by the owner of the proposed sign as to whether the display face will be permanent, changeable, or a permanent structure with changeable elements. If the proposed sign is to be used to display commercial messages, then the applicant shall also state whether the message is to be onsite or offsite, and whether it is proposed to be used to display general advertising for hire. B. For billboard sign demolitions and/or relocations and/or replacements. 1. Size and location of all sign(s) to be removed or relocated; 2. Photograph or digital image of all sign(s) to be removed; 3. A copy of the original permit for the sign(s) to be removed or a copy of the registration list provided to the city manager or designee, provided that the sign to be demolished, relocated or replaced must be on the registration list; 4. For billboard replacement or relocation permits for billboards removed after July 2, 2002: a. Completed application with site plan and structural calculations; b. Size(s), location(s) and type(s) of sign(s) removed; and c. Copy of the demolition permit(s) for the sign(s) removed; 5. Issuance of building permits and revocation of permits shall be done in accordance with provisions of Title 18. C. Multiple sign applications. When an application proposes two or more signs, the application may be granted either in whole or in part, with separate decisions as to each proposed sign. D. Grounds for denial. When an application is denied in whole or in part, the planning official's written notice of determination shall specify the grounds for such denial. E. Portable sign permits shall not be issued for a period of more than three hundred sixty-five days. F. Revocation or cancellation. The planning official shall revoke any approval or permit upon refusal or failure of the holder thereof to comply with the provisions of this chapter and/or the terms or conditions of any permit, after written notice of noncompliance and at least ten (10) days opportunity to cure. G. Permits issued in error. Any approval or permit issued in error may be summarily revoked at any time by the city upon written notice to the holder of the reason for the revocation. (Ord. No. 17317, § 1, 5-4-2010; Ord. No. 17442, § 46, 10-26-2010; Ord. No. 17960, § 4, 2-19-2013)

El Paso City Code § 20.18.115 Appeals.

20.18.115 - Appeals. All sign permit applications shall be initially reviewed by the director. When the director issues a decision on a sign permit application, or when the time for doing so has expired without a written decision, then the applicant or any concerned person may appeal to the zoning board of adjustment under the provisions of 2.16.040 of the El Paso City Code. The appeal shall be processed under the same procedures specified for appeals to the zoning board of adjustment. The zoning board of adjustment shall hold a duly noticed public hearing thereon, and issue a written decision thereon, within 30 business days. Failure of the board to render a decision within the time specified hereunder shall deem the appeal denied. The written decision shall make findings and state reasons, supported by evidence in the record, for the decision. In determining the appeal, the zoning board of adjustment shall not consider message content or graphical design of the sign, unless the message or image has no protection under the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. (Ord. No. 17317, § 1, 5-4-2010)

El Paso City Code § 20.18.120 Maintenance.

20.18.120 - Maintenance. A. Every sign, including those specifically exempt from this Code in respect to permits and permit fees, shall be maintained in good structural condition at all times. All signs shall be kept neatly painted, including all metal parts and supports thereof, except those portions that are galvanized or of rust-resistant material. The building official shall inspect all signs and shall have the authority to order the painting, repair, alteration or removal of any sign which constitutes a hazard to safety, health or public welfare by reason of inadequate maintenance or dilapidation. The owner of the property on which a sign is located and the owner of the sign shall be jointly and severally responsible for the conditions of the area occupied by the sign and shall be required to keep the area clean, sanitary and free from rubbish; and failure to comply with this section shall constitute a violation of this Code. For purposes of responsibility, the owner of the property refers, jointly and severally, to the legal owner of the property, as well as to all parties holding the present right of possession and control. B. Billboard maintenance and repair. The following are considered to be routine maintenance activities that do not require a permit: 1. The replacement of nuts and bolts; 2. Nailing, riveting, or welding; 3. Cleaning and painting; 4. Changing of the advertising message; 5. The replacement of minor parts if the materials of the minor parts are the same type as those being replaced and the basic design or structure of the sign is not altered; 6. Changing all or part of the sign face structure but only if like materials are used. C. The following are customary maintenance activities that require a permit before initiation: 1. Replacement of poles, but only if not more than one-half of the total number of poles of the sign structure are replaced in any twelve-month period and the same material is used for the replacement poles; and 2. Adding a catwalk to the sign structure. D. The following are examples of substantial changes that require a permit application before the initiation of such an activity; however, legal nonconforming signs may not engage in such maintenance activities and will lose their legal nonconforming status if they engage in such maintenance, regardless of whether or not a permit was issued: 1. Adding lights to an unilluminated sign or adding more intense lighting to an illuminated sign whether or not the lights are attached to the sign structure; 2. Changing the number of poles in the sign structure; 3. Adding permanent bracing wires, guy wires, or other reinforcing devices, except if the structure is modified to convert a static sign to a CEVM sign to conform with the current IBC Code; 4. Changing the material used in the construction of the sign structure, such as replacing wooden material with metal material; 5. Adding faces to a sign or changing the sign configuration; 6. Increasing the height of the sign; 7. Changing the configuration of the sign structure, such as changing a "V" sign to a stacked or back-to-back sign, or a single face sign to a back-to-back sign; and 8. Moving the sign structure or sign face in any way unless the movement is made in accordance with a relocation or replacement. E. An added catwalk must meet occupational safety and health administration guidelines. (Ord. No. 17317, § 1, 5-4-2010; Ord. No. 17960, § 5, 2-19-2013)

El Paso City Code § 20.18.130 Removal of signs.

20.18.130 - Removal of signs. A. After inspection by the building official, the following signs may be subject to removal by the city, in accordance with the procedure enumerated herein; however, the city may at any time under its police powers immediately remove signs which constitute and immediate danger to persons or property without going through the procedures identified herein: 1. Signs or their supporting structures which appear to the building official to have become abandoned, neglected or made unattractive by missing letters, panels, lights, faded or peeling paint or graffiti; 2. Any sign which constitutes a hazard to safety, health or public welfare by reason of inadequate maintenance or dilapidation; 3. Any sign erected without permit that cannot be registered under the provisions in this chapter. B. Procedure. Except as provided herein, prior to the removal of a sign by the city, the building official shall follow the following procedure: 1. The building official shall inform the permit holder, if a permit has been issued; if no permit has been issued, the building official shall send a written notice, via certified mail, to the owner, if the owner is known, by mailing a written notice to the last known address of the owner, or lessee of the sign if that person is identified on the sign or is otherwise known to the building official, to remove such sign and structure or to cure the defect resulting from its neglect within a period of ten days after receipt of notification of violation of this chapter. 2. If the permit holder, owner, or lessee is unknown or cannot be reached, the building official shall publish a legal notice identifying the sign, its location and the corrective action required. The legal notice shall be given by any contemporary means of information sharing, including, but not limited to, publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the city and placement on the city's official website. 3. If no response is received by the building official within ten working days from the date of receipt of notification, or five working days after the date of publication, the building official shall refer the case to the building and standards commission and the case shall be processed under the procedures of Chapter 2.38 of the El Paso City Code. C. An on-premises sign shall be removed in compliance with the Local Government Code Title 7 Subtitle A. Sec. 216.003. (Ord. No. 17317, § 1, 5-4-2010)

El Paso City Code § 20.18.140 Prohibited signs.

20.18.140 - Prohibited signs. In addition to the list of prohibited signs stated below, any sign erected in violation of the city's building, electrical, lighting, or other applicable local, state or federal regulations, not expressly authorized by the code, a sign not specifically authorized by action of city council or specifically exempted from the provisions hereof, is prohibited within the corporate limits of the city and, as to billboards only, the city's extraterritorial jurisdiction. The following sign types are prohibited: A. New static or CEVM billboards except as provided herein. B. Off-premises commercial wall signs, except as provided herein. C. Off-premises portable signs or any portable sign that is electrical or is more than seven feet in height including the support structure. D. Wall signs that extend beyond the elevation of the building more than three feet. E. Any sign which resembles an official traffic sign or signal or that bears the words "Stop," "Go," "Slow," "Caution," "Danger," "Warning" or similar words, or that bears symbols communicating similar meanings in a manner which is likely to be confused with official traffic signs. F. Signs which, by reason of their size, location, movement, content, coloring or manner of illumination, may be confused with or construed to be a traffic control sign, signal or device, or the light of an emergency or road equipment vehicle, or which hide from view any street or traffic sign, signal or device. G. Any banner, handbill whether commercial or noncommercial, advertisement, notice, circular poster, piece of paper, figure, word, or letter, or any other kind of sign printed, painted, cut, branded, stamped, marked, written, posted, pasted, installed, or affixed in any way upon any utility post or stand, upon traffic control signs or signals, or upon any public property or public right-of-way, including, but not limited to, public buildings, sidewalks, parkways, easements and curbs; unless such sign is installed or affixed pursuant to authorization granted a special privilege license or by a city ordinance, resolution, or other valid official city authorization, or is otherwise permitted or regulated in the code. H. Signs on vehicles or trailers that are parked or located for the primary purpose of displaying a commercial message. It shall be prima facie evidence that the primary purpose of a vehicle or trailer is to display a sign if the vehicle or trailer is parked on a site, or in the same general location, for a continuous period exceeding seventy-two hours per month. This prohibition does not apply to a vehicle displaying a commercial message which pertains to the establishment of which the vehicle is an instrument, and the parking is short term and incidental to the performance of the establishment's customary activities. I. Reserved. J. Festoons, including tinsel, strings of ribbon, streamers and pinwheels. K. Signs erected or maintained upon trees, painted or drawn upon rocks or other natural features. L. Satellite dishes, cell phone, microwave or broadcast towers, operable or inoperable, used as signs. M. Signs, any portion of which revolves or rotates at a speed greater than three revolutions per minute. N. Animated, flashing, running light or twinkle signs, excluding CEVM signs that are permitted pursuant to the provisions of Article III of this chapter. O. Signs projecting or displaying three-dimensional or holographic images. P. "V" type signs with a face that protrudes from the opposite face at an interior angle greater than twenty-five degrees. This restriction shall not be construed to prohibit oval, cylindrical or box type signs. Q. Signs located on or attached in any manner to fences or between or on the poles of another sign or light fixture, except as may be permitted herein. R. Signs projected (from a light source) onto the sides of buildings. S. CEVM billboards and on premise signs, except that CEVM billboards and CEVM on-premises signs which conform to the provisions of this chapter are allowed. T. Static or CEVM billboards, except that static or CEVM billboards and CEVM on-premises signs which conform to the provisions of this chapter are allowed. (Ord. No. 17317, § 2, 5-4-2010; Ord. No. 17960, § 6, 2-19-2013; Ord. No. 18245, § 2, 9-16-2014; Ord. No. 19300, § 1, 2-15-2022)

Source: City of El Paso, City Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/tx/el_paso/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT20ZO_CH20.18SIRE_ARTIIADFetched: 10/28/2026