Prohibitions

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

in effect

El Paso City Code § 18.18.230 Installation of nonconforming light fixtures and lamps.

18.18.230 - Installation of nonconforming light fixtures and lamps. The installation of any outdoor lighting fixture or lamp for new construction, additions, or new outdoor lighting fixtures, including but not limited to replacement light fixtures, to existing facilities not in compliance with this chapter is prohibited. (Ord. 15996 § A (part), 2005) (Ord. 17171, § 18, 8-18-2009)

El Paso City Code § 18.18.240 Laser source light.

18.18.240 - Laser source light. The use of laser source light or any similar high intensity light for outdoor advertising, entertainment or decorative purposes, when projected above the horizontal, is prohibited unless a temporary exemption permit is obtained pursuant to sections 18.18.280 through 18.18.300. (Ord. 15996 § A (part), 2005) (Ord. 17171, § 19, 8-18-2009; Ord. No. 17882, § 2, 10-2-2012)

El Paso City Code § 18.18.250 Searchlights.

18.18.250 - Searchlights. The operation of searchlights for non-governmental purposes is prohibited unless a temporary exemption permit is obtained pursuant to sections 18.18.280 through 18.18.300. (Ord. 15996 § A (part), 2005) (Ord. 17171, § 20, 8-18-2009; Ord. No. 17882, § 3, 10-2-2012)

El Paso City Code § 18.18.260 Adjustable light fixtures prohibited.

18.18.260 - Adjustable light fixtures prohibited. Outdoor light fixtures shall be in a fixed position and shall not have adjustable hinges or knuckles unless such light fixture is exempt from the shielding standards pursuant to Section 18.18.335. (Ord. 15996 § A (part), 2005) (Ord. 17171, § 21, 8-18-2009)

El Paso City Code § 18.18.270 Lighting causing light trespass.

18.18.270 - Lighting causing light trespass. A. If after complaint and investigation, the director finds that a light fixture directs light toward residential buildings, the director shall give written notice of such violation to the owner and/or to the occupant of such premises demanding that the violation be abated within ninety days of the date of written notice. B. Light trespass onto residential property from lighting shall be remedied by redirecting the light fixture or by controlling the light output as necessary. C. Light levels shall not exceed a maximum of 0.25 footcandles (2.5 lux) at the property line of any residential property at a vertical point five feet above grade. D. Light trespass measurements shall be made at the property line of the residential site, with the meter held normal to a line between any offending light source(s) and the light meter. If measurement on private property is not possible or practical, light level measurements may be made at the boundary of the public right of way or at any other location on an adjacent property. E. Measurement shall be made using a commercial cosine and color corrected meter having an accuracy tolerance of plus or minus five percent or better at one lux (0.1 footcandle). The meter shall have been calibrated within two years of the date of measurement by the manufacturer or by a certified illumination laboratory. F. Measurements shall be taken using a 4.5″ long, 1.75″ +/- 0.25″ diameter thin wall black tube baffle atop the meter's photoelectric cell aperture to prevent any stray light from other sources from affecting the measurement. (Ord. 15996 § A (part), 2005) (Ord. 17171, § 22, 8-18-2009)

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_ARTVIIIPRFetched: 10/28/2026