Other Exemptions

El Paso City Code tit. 18, ch. 18.18, art. X

in effect

El Paso City Code § 18.18.310 Nonconformance.

18.18.310 - Nonconformance. A. Bottom-mounted or unshielded on-premise or off-premise sign lighting shall be brought into compliance with the shielding standards of Section 18.18.070 no later than May 7, 2015. An existing off-premise sign may remain as upward directed sign lighting if LED type luminaires are utilized and installed no later than May 7, 2016. No exceptions to this section will be permitted after May 7, 2016. B. Post top antique or acorn style luminaires that cannot achieve full cutoff may be used if they achieve cutoff. C. There shall be no changes in type, size or wattage of either lamp or ballast or any alterations to structural members, including but not limited to poles and bases, without conforming to all applicable requirements of this Code. D. All existing outdoor lighting fixtures shall be brought into compliance with the shielding standards of Section 18.18.070 not later than May 7, 2015. Compliance with lumens cap is not mandatory but is encouraged. (Ord. 15996 § A (part), 2005) (Ord. 17171, § 26, 8-18-2009; Ord. No. 18366, § 1, 6-2-2015)

El Paso City Code § 18.18.320 Flag illumination.

18.18.320 - Flag illumination. Illumination of city, county, state or U.S. flags with spot lights or flood lamps is exempt from all the requirements of this Code. (Ord. 15996 § A (part), 2005)

El Paso City Code § 18.18.330 State and federal facilities.

18.18.330 - State and federal facilities. Compliance with the intent of this Code by facilities that are owned, operated and maintained by the state or federal government is encouraged but not required. (Ord. 15996 § A (part), 2005)

El Paso City Code § 18.18.335 Statutes and sculptures displayed for public viewing.

18.18.335 - Statutes and sculptures displayed for public viewing. Illumination of statues or sculptures that are displayed in a manner that the public may view such statute or sculpture shall be exempt from the requirements of this Chapter. (Ord. 17171, § 27, 8-18-2009)

El Paso City Code § 18.18.340 Emergency lighting.

18.18.340 - Emergency lighting. Emergency lighting, used by police, firefighting, or medical personnel, or public entities, including but not limited to water utilities, electric and gas companies or at their direction, is exempt from all requirements of this Code for as long as the emergency exists. (Ord. 15996 § A (part), 2005) (Ord. 17171, § 28, 8-18-2009)

El Paso City Code § 18.18.345 Seasonal decorations.

18.18.345 - Seasonal decorations. Seasonal decorations are exempt from all requirements of this chapter. Except that laser source lights or searchlights used in conjunction with seasonal decorations shall require a temporary exemption permit issued pursuant to sections 18.18.280 through 18.18.300. A. Temporary exemption permits apply to: 1. Carnivals, festivals, grand openings, concerts and other similar temporary events. 2. Construction, provided that such temporary exemption shall not apply to the use of lights otherwise prohibited under this chapter during hours of the day during which construction is prohibited by law. 3. The temporary use of laser source light and searchlights, provided that temporary exemption permits issued for laser source light use shall be issued pursuant to the requirements of Section 18.18.240 and that temporary exemption permits issued for searchlight use shall be issued pursuant to the requirements of Section 18.18.250. B. An applicant requesting a temporary exemption permit under this chapter shall submit such application at the time of the application for any other permit required for the temporary event that is required by this City Code. C. Temporary exemption permits shall be requested no less than five city working days prior to the beginning of the temporary event. D. The city is authorized to charge fees related to the issuance of temporary exemption permits. Such fees shall be in accordance with the fee schedule established pursuant to budget resolution or other resolution adopted by the city council. (Ord. 17171, § 29, 8-18-2009; Ord. No. 17882, § 5, 10-2-2012)

El Paso City Code § 18.18.350 Swimming pool and fountain lighting.

18.18.350 - Swimming pool and fountain lighting. Underwater lighting used for the illumination of swimming pools and fountains is exempt from the lamp type and shielding standards of Section 18.18.070, though such lighting shall conform to all other provisions of this chapter. (Ord. 15996 § A (part), 2005)

El Paso City Code § 18.18.355 Entertainment districts.

18.18.355 - Entertainment districts. Entertainment districts established by the city council are exempt from all requirements of this chapter. (Ord. 17171, § 30, 8-18-2009)

El Paso City Code § 18.18.360 Fossil fuel lights.

18.18.360 - Fossil fuel lights. All outdoor light fixtures producing light directly by the combustion of natural gas or other fossil fuels are exempt from all requirements of this Code. (Ord. 15996 § A (part), 2005)

El Paso City Code § 18.18.365 Downtown.

18.18.365 - Downtown. The geographic area of downtown is exempt from all the requirements of this Chapter. For purposes of this section, downtown is the area bounded by: Paisano, Stanton, Loop 375, S. Oregon St., 6th St., S El Paso St. Paisano, S. Santa Fe St. to the intersection of Father Rahm Ave. From the intersection of Father Rahm and S. Santa Fe St. north and east of the railway right of way to the intersection of W. Paisano and S. Coldwell St, to W. San Franciso St. to S. Durango St., to E. Missouri to N. Santa Fe St. to Interstate 10 to N. Campbell to E. Main St. From the intersection of N. Campbell and E. Main St. south and west of the rail right of way to Virginia, to E. San Antonio to St. Vrain to Paisano. (Ord. 15996 § A (part), 2005) (Ord. 17171, § 31, 8-18-2009)

El Paso City Code § 18.18.370 El Paso Star on the Franklin Mountain.

18.18.370 - El Paso Star on the Franklin Mountain. The El Paso Star on the Franklin Mountain, operated as of the date of the ordinance codified in this chapter, is exempt from all requirements of this Code. (Ord. 15996 § A (part), 2005) (Ord. 17171, § 28, 8-18-2009)

El Paso City Code § 18.18.375 Historic properties.

18.18.375 - Historic properties. Properties designated as federal, state, or local historic landmarks or that are within a federal, state, or local historic district shall be exempt from this chapter if there is a finding of an adverse impact to any significant historical, cultural, or archaeological element of the property as determined in writing by the El Paso historic landmark commission or by the Texas Historic Preservation Officer whenever the El Paso historic landmark commission is without jurisdiction to require review of proposed work pursuant to Chapter 20.20 of the El Paso City Code. (Ord. 16041 § 1, 2005) (Ord. 17171, § 33, 8-18-2009)

El Paso City Code § 18.18.376 City-owned facilities.

18.18.376 - City-owned facilities. The following city-owned properties and projects are exempt from complying with the intent of this Code: 1. Spray parks; 2. The El Paso International Airport, which for the purposes of this section is from a point beginning at the intersection of Terminal Dr. and Piper Ct., north and west along Airway Blvd. to Convair Rd., north and east along Convair Rd. to the easternmost point of Terminal Dr., and south along Terminal Dr. to the point of beginning, to include the airport terminal building and all property located within the security identification display area (SIDA) and the airport security perimeter. 3. All projects associated with the City of El Paso Sun City Lights Program at the following locations: a. Washington Park. b. Pueblo Viejo Park. c. Marty Robbins Park. d. Piedras - Five Points. (Ord. No. 18507, § 1, 5-31-2016; Ord. No. 018884, § 1, 12-11-2018; Ord. No. 019829, § 1, 1-6-2026)

El Paso City Code § 18.18.377 Heritage corridors.

18.18.377 - Heritage corridors. Ornamental lighting including but not limited to string lights, lighted archways and spires located within the public rights-of-way for the following heritage corridors are exempt from all requirements of this chapter: 1. El Paso International Airport Corridor which is Airway Boulevard from Interstate 10 to Airport Road; 2. Kern Place Neighborhood Corridor which is Cincinnati Avenue which is from North Stanton Street to North Oregon Street; East Glory Road from North Mesa Street to North Oregon Street; and East Baltimore Avenue from North Stanton Street to North Mesa Street. (Ord. No. 18665, § 1, 4-18-2017)

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_CH18.18OULICO_ARTXOTEXFetched: 10/28/2026