Warrants, variances, and adjustments.
El Paso City Code § 21.10.050
in effect21.10.050 - Warrants, variances, and adjustments.
A. There shall be three types of modifications from the requirements of this title: Warrants, and variances, and adjustments.
B. A warrant is a modification of a standard that may be granted administratively by the CRC only where specifically stated within Title 21 as allowable and may be approved only if the applicant has complied with criteria contained in Title 21 for granting of the modification. Where no specific criteria for granting of the modification is specified, a warrant may be granted only for a dimensional deviation of less than ten percent of the specified standard.
C. A variance allows a modification of a requirement under this title, provided that the modification is not contrary to the public interest and, due to special conditions, a literal enforcement of the ordinance would result in unnecessary hardship, and so that the spirit of the ordinance is observed and substantial justice is done. "Unnecessary hardship" means a hardship by reason of exceptional shape of a lot, exceptional topographic conditions, or other exceptional physical conditions of a parcel of land. Unnecessary hardship shall not include personal or financial hardship or any other hardship that is self-imposed. Requests for variances shall be heard by the zoning board of adjustment in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 2.16 of the City Code.
D. Adjustments to regulating plans within approved SmartCode Zones will be authorized administratively by the CRC if the adjusted regulating plan complies with this title, its tables, and all the following criteria are met:
1. Community types may not be changed through the adjustment process;
2. Within each community type, revisions to transect zone boundaries are permitted provided the adjusted regulating plan:
a. Does not conflict with standards for allocation of transect zones in Table 14a;
b. Does not increase the percentage of land designated as a special district above the twenty percent maximum allowed under this title;
c. Does not reduce the percentage of land designated on the approved regulating plan as civic spaces below the five percent minimum required under this title;
d. Does not create increased conflicts with adjoining land uses outside the SmartCode Zone.
(Ord. 16945 § 2 (part), 2008) (Ord. No. 17542, § 5, 4-26-2011)
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=TIT21SMCO_CH21.10GEALPL_21.10.050WAVAADFetched: 10/28/2026