VISIBILITY OBSTRUCTIONS

El Paso City Code tit. 12, ch. 12.68

in effect

El Paso City Code § 12.68.010 Definitions.

12.68.010 - Definitions. For the purposes of this chapter the following terms shall have the meaning ascribed herein: A. "Curbline" means the boundary of that portion of any street which is improved, designed or ordinarily used for vehicular travel. B. "Object" means every sign, advertisement, container or display item of any type or form, portable or fixed, which is not authorized by state law or city ordinance. "Object" shall also include buildings and structures of all types, trailers not otherwise classified as vehicles, and any form of outside storage. C. "Plants" means any hedge, bush, shrub, vine, palm or other vegetation except trees. D. "Property line" means the boundary line of a parcel of land defined by metes and bounds in a recorded deed or by boundary lines on a recorded map, which line marks the division between the area for a public street and the property abutting upon the street. E. "Street" means the entire width between the boundary lines of every way open to the use of the public for the purpose of traffic. F. "Traffic" means the use of any street for the purpose of travel by pedestrians, riders of animals, vehicles and other conveyances. (Prior code § 20-157.1)

El Paso City Code § 12.68.020 Plants, objects, vehicles over three feet.

12.68.020 - Plants, objects, vehicles over three feet. A. Street Corners. It is unlawful for any person to place or maintain or cause to be placed or maintained, any plant, object or vehicle having a height greater than three feet above the level of the center line of the nearest abutting street on or in that area of a triangle formed by the intersecting property lines and a diagonal line joining the property line at points twenty feet from their intersection of any corner lot on which a front yard is required by Title 20 of this code. B. Sidewalk Areas. It is unlawful for any person to place, maintain or cause to be placed or maintained any plant, object or vehicle having a height greater than three feet above the level of the center line of the nearest abutting street on or in that area which lies between the property lines of any corner lot and curb lines of any street in the city. C. Fences. No person shall construct or reconstruct, or cause to be constructed or reconstructed, any fence or wall on a corner lot if the top of such fence or wall is more than three feet above the level of the centerline of the nearest abutting street, and such fence or wall is within a triangle formed by the intersecting property lines and a line joining the property lines at points twenty feet from their point of intersection. Provided, this subsection shall not apply to a retaining wall necessary for the support of the lot, nor to a wall of a building when the building legally extends into such triangle. D. Variance Authorized by Traffic Engineer. Where special conditions exist, or where practical difficulties in the development and adequate use of land would result from the literal enforcement of the terms of this section, the traffic engineer is hereby authorized to issue a permit to vary the requirements herein set forth, provided that any such variances granted shall be in harmony with the general intent of this section, and consistent with the public interest, safety and general welfare. Any substantial variances shall be in writing and shall be specifically set forth in the permit issued. (Prior code § 20-157.2)

El Paso City Code § 12.68.030 Trees and other objects—Trimming by lot owners required.

12.68.030 - Trees and other objects—Trimming by lot owners required. A. Street Corners. It shall be the duty of every owner or occupant of any corner lot in the city to keep any and all trees trimmed and pruned of limbs, branches and foliage to a minimum clearance of ten feet above the street level at the nearest curb line in that area of a triangle formed by the intersecting property lines and a diagonal line joining the property lines at points twenty feet from their intersection on such corner lot. B. Sidewalk Areas. It shall be the duty of every owner or occupant of any property in the city to keep any and all trees trimmed and pruned of limbs, branches and foliage to a minimum clearance of eight feet above the sidewalk level in that area between his property line and the curbline of any abutting street. C. Keeping Free Passage in Sidewalk Area. It shall be unlawful for any person to place, maintain or permit, or cause to be placed or maintained, any tree, plant or object on or in the area between the property line of any lot and the curb line of any street abutting such lot in any way that obstructs the free passage and use of that area by the public. D. Clearance Near Fire Hydrants. It is unlawful for any person to place, maintain or permit, or cause to be placed or maintained any tree, plant or object within five feet of any fire hydrant in the city. E. Notwithstanding the provisions of any other section in this chapter it is unlawful for any person to place, plant or maintain any plant, tree, or other object in such a manner as to obstruct from view any traffic-control device. (Prior code § 20-157.3)

El Paso City Code § 12.68.040 Notice of violation—Correction period—Complaint.

12.68.040 - Notice of violation—Correction period—Complaint. The traffic engineer shall have a written notice served upon the owner or occupant of any property upon which any violation of any section in this chapter exists to correct the condition which constitutes a violation herein within ten days after service of this notice. Service of the notice may be accomplished by sending same to the owner or occupant by certified mail or by personal service upon the owner or occupant. If such condition is not corrected by the end of such ten-day period, the code enforcement division or other designees of the city manager shall file a complaint in corporation court against such owner or occupant. (Prior code § 20-157.4; Ord. No. 17690, § 24, 12-6-2011)

El Paso City Code § 12.68.050 Trimming and removal by city.

12.68.050 - Trimming and removal by city. The traffic engineer is authorized to remove, or cause to be removed, any tree, plant or object found between the opposite curblines in any street in the city, and to trim branches, limbs or foliage of any tree or plant which overhangs or grows above the area which lies between the opposite curblines of any street to a minimum clearance of ten feet above the street level at the curbline and graduated toward the center line of the street to a clearance of twelve feet above such centerline. The traffic engineer is further authorized to trim or remove any tree or plant which obstructs any traffic control device in the city. (Prior code § 20-157.5)

El Paso City Code § 12.68.060 Planting in arterial and local street medians.

12.68.060 - Planting in arterial and local street medians. A. Policy. 1. Landscaping in both arterial and local street medians is required in new medians. Landscaping in both existing arterial and local street medians is encouraged provided that the provisions specified in this chapter are adhered to. 2. Safety shall be the foremost consideration in the selection of and placement of landscaping materials in both arterial and local street medians. 3. The traffic engineer will publish planting guidelines for arterial and local street medians. Such guidelines will contain, but not be limited to, suggested plant materials, water harvesting and planting procedures. 4. Desert and drought tolerant landscaping is encouraged. B. Criteria. 1. Subject to sight distance requirements, landscaped areas in arterial medians will be divided into three zones as specified in the city guidelines. 2. Pedestrian crossing areas shall be surfaced with hard paving suitable for foot and wheel-chair traffic. 3. Vegetation will not be allowed: a. If the slope of the median is not conducive to irrigating and has a slope of five to one or greater. b. In portions of the median where the minimum width of the median is five feet or less. 4. Landscaped areas in medians which will not contain vegetation shall: a. Have a natural topping, including, but not limited to, granite, river rock or chat; b. Have a weed barrier mat beneath the natural topping; c. Have surfaces which shall be two inches below the top of the curbline for all areas within twenty-four inches of the back of the curbline. Swales and berms are permitted to allow natural water harvesting. 5. Landscaped areas in medians which will contain vegetation: a. An irrigation system shall be installed if the minimum width of the median is five feet or more. The irrigation system shall be a low water demand system, with a subterranean system being the most desirable type of system. If sprayheads are installed, the sprayheads shall be designated so as not to spray into the adjacent roadways. The installation of the irrigation system shall be done by a registered irrigator or by any other person authorized under state law to perform the installation. b. Landscaped surfaces shall be two inches below the top of the curbline for all areas within twenty-four inches of the back of the curbline. Swales and berms are permitted to allow natural water harvesting. c. Trees and shrubs are permitted in medians if they are planted in locations which do not obstruct sight distance and where low-hanging tree or shrub branches do not hinder traffic movement. d. All low lying plants must be kept pruned a minimum of two feet from the back of the curbline. e. Plant wells shall be constructed by means of swales rather than through the use of berms. C. Procedures. 1. The landscape plan and the irrigation plan, where applicable, as well as all specifications, shall conform to all applicable codes. 2. Landscaped areas in arterial and local street medians shall be subject to the approval of the traffic engineer. 3. Landscaping plans for new development shall be submitted with subdivision improvement plans. 4. For landscaping plans on existing medians, an application shall be submitted to the traffic engineer. 5. After approval of the plans by the traffic engineer, as provided for above, landscaping projects proposed by private groups or individuals shall be submitted to the city council for authorization to proceed with the project. Such authorization, if granted, shall be subject to a contract between the city and the private group or individual, setting forth the responsibilities of the group or individual. The proposed contract as approved by city council may provide that the traffic engineer will be authorized to approve additional landscaping projects proposed by the named private group or individual. (Ord. 13062 § 14, 1997; Ord. 13030, 1996: Ord. 8132, 1984: prior code § 20-157.5.1)

El Paso City Code § 12.68.070 Violation—Penalty.

12.68.070 - Violation—Penalty. Any person violating this article shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and punished as provided in Section 12.84.010. (Prior code § 20-157.6)

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=TIT12VETR_CH12.68VIOBFetched: 10/28/2026