Statutory Authorization—Findings of Fact—Purpose—Methods

El Paso City Code tit. 18, ch. 18.60, art. I

in effect

El Paso City Code § 18.60.010 Statutory authorization.

18.60.010 - Statutory authorization. The Legislature of the State of Texas has, in the Flood Control and Insurance Act (V.T.C.A., Water Code Art. 16.311), delegated the responsibility to local governmental units to adopt regulations designed to minimize flood losses. Therefore, the city council of the city does adopt this chapter. (Ord. No. 019528, § 1, 8-1-2023)

El Paso City Code § 18.60.020 Findings of fact.

18.60.020 - Findings of fact. A. The flood hazard areas of El Paso are subject to periodic inundation which results in loss of life and property, health and safety hazards, disruption of commerce and governmental services, and extraordinary public expenditures for flood protection and relief, all of which adversely affect the public health, safety and general welfare. B. These flood losses are created by the cumulative effect of obstructions in floodplains which cause an increase in flood heights and velocities, and by the occupancy of flood hazard areas by uses vulnerable to floods and hazardous to other lands because they are inadequately elevated, floodproofed or otherwise protected from flood damage. (Ord. No. 019528, § 1, 8-1-2023)

El Paso City Code § 18.60.030 Statement of purpose.

18.60.030 - Statement of purpose. It is the purpose of this chapter to promote the public health, safety and general welfare and to minimize public and private losses due to flood conditions in specific areas by provisions designed to: A. Protect human life and health; B. Minimize expenditure of public money for costly flood control projects; C. Minimize the need for rescue and relief efforts associated with flooding and generally undertaken at the expense of the general public; D. Minimize damage to public facilities and utilities such as water and gas mains, electric, telephone and sewer lines, streets and bridges located in floodplains; E. Help provide information regarding flood-prone areas to the public. (Ord. No. 019528, § 1, 8-1-2023)

El Paso City Code § 18.60.040 Methods of reducing flood losses.

18.60.040 - Methods of reducing flood losses. In order to accomplish its purposes, this chapter uses the following methods: A. Restrict or prohibit uses that are dangerous to health, safety or property in times of flood, or cause excessive increases in flood heights or velocities; B. Require that uses vulnerable to floods, including facilities which serve such uses, be protected against flood damage at the time of initial construction; C. Control the alteration of natural floodplains, stream channels, and natural protective barriers which are involved in the accommodation of floodwaters; D. Control filling, grading, dredging and other development which may increase flood damage; E. Prevent or regulate the construction of flood barriers which will unnaturally divert floodwaters or which may increase flood hazards to other lands. (Ord. No. 019528, § 1, 8-1-2023)

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_CH18.60FLDAPR_ARTISTAUINFAURETFetched: 10/28/2026