Emergency response information, signage, and installation of fire suppression systems.
El Paso City Code § 18.40.110
in effect18.40.110 - Emergency response information, signage, and installation of fire suppression systems.
A. An owner of a vacant building shall provide the permit official with the name, street address, mailing address, and telephone number of a person or persons who can be contacted twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, in the event of an emergency condition in or on the premises of the vacant building. An emergency condition includes any fire, natural disaster, collapse hazard, burst pipe, serious police incident, or other condition that requires an immediate response to prevent harm to property or the public.
B. The owner of the vacant building shall notify the permit official within five days after any change in the emergency response information.
C. The owner of the vacant building, or an authorized agent, must arrive at the premises within one hour after a contract person named under this section is notified by the city or emergency response personnel that an emergency condition has occurred on the premises.
D. Upon issuance of a certificate of registration for any vacant building designated for nonresidential uses or for residential use having four or more dwelling units, the owner shall install placards approved by the fire chief or designee, which apply the following marking system to alert city or emergency response personnel to potential hazards:
1. Any vacant building determined by the fire chief or designee to be especially unsafe in case of fire, under Section 110, Chapter 9.52 of the City Code, shall be identified and marked pursuant to the requirements of El Paso City Code Chapter 9.52, Section 311.5.
2. Prior to receiving a placard, all buildings shall be inspected thoroughly by the fire chief or designee.
E. Where a vacant building is subject to the requirements of this section and Chapter 9.52 of the City Code, whichever being the more restrictive shall govern.
F. The owner of a vacant building that has a certificate of occupancy which is designated as an assembly (A), business (B), educational (E), institutional (I), hazard (H), factory (F), mercantile (M) building, Residential (R) (excluding buildings with four or fewer dwelling units), or utility (U) shall install a fire suppression system that conforms to the standards set forth in the currently adopted International Fire Code and maintain that system in good working order.
Exception: The sprinkler requirement for vacant structures shall not apply when the premises have been cleared of all combustible materials and debris and, in the opinion of the fire code official, the type of construction, fire separation distance, and security of the premises does not create a fire hazard.
(Ord. No. 17968, § 1, 3-5-2013)
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=TIT18BUCO_CH18.40VABU_18.40.110EMREINSIINFISUSYFetched: 10/28/2026