Landscape standards.
El Paso City Code § 21.50.110
in effect21.50.110 - Landscape standards.
A. General to zones T2, T3, T4, T4-0, T5, T50, T6 and special districts SD3, SD4, SD5, SD6, SD7.
1. Impermeable surface shall be confined to the ratio of lot coverage specified in Tables 14f and 16f.
B. Specific to zones T2, T3, T4.
1. The first layer may not be paved, with the exception of driveways as specified in Section 21.50.100 B. and Section 21.50.100 C. (Table 17d)
C. Specific to zone T3.
1. A minimum of one tree shall be planted within the first layer for each forty feet of frontage line or portion thereof. (Table 17d)
2. Trees may be of single or multiple species as shown on Table 6.
3. Trees shall be naturalistically clustered.
4. Lawns may be permitted provided they are composed of native or non-native adapted species.
D. Specific to zone T4.
1. A minimum of one tree shall be planted within the first layer or each forty feet of frontage line or portion thereof. (Table 17d)
2. The species shall be a single species to match the species of street trees on the public frontage, or as shown on Table 6.
3. Lawns may be permitted provided they are composed of native or non-native adapted species.
E. Specific to zones T4-O, T5, T5O, T6 and special district SD6.
1. Trees shall not be required in the first layer.
2. The first layer may be paved to match the pavement of the public frontage.
F. General to special districts SD3, SD4, SD5, SD6, SD7.
1. Site and landscape design standards.
a. The spacing and placement of plants shall be adequate and appropriate for species size at maturity and/or for the grouping of a single plant species.
b. All proposed street trees shall be centered a minimum of five feet clear of underground utilities, utility meters, and service lines.
c. Proposed trees shall be a minimum height of ten feet.
d. Proposed street tree height and type shall be appropriate for the frontage conditions.
e. Trees with existing or potential canopy covering sidewalks, driveways, paths, plazas, alleys, lanes, parking space or street pavements shall be of a type that, at maturity or with minor pruning at installation, provide a clear height of eight feet for sidewalks and paths, twelve feet for driveways, parking spaces and streets, and fifteen feet for loading areas, exclusive of tree grates or planting areas with gravel mulch.
f. Vegetation with spines, thorns or needles that may present hazards to pedestrians, bicyclists or vehicles are prohibited in the first layer.
g. Bare and exposed ground on the site and/or in landscaped areas shall be covered with live plant materials and/or mulch, with the following exceptions:
i. Naturally occurring arroyos, rock outcroppings or similar landscape features typically lacking in vegetation.
ii. Hiking trails and/or traces in T1.
iii. Clay or sand surfaces associated with recreation fields and facilities.
h. All required landscape areas shall be irrigated by an automatic underground irrigation system, drip irrigation or soaker hose.
i. Where possible and practical, bubbler and drip irrigation systems shall be utilized.
j. Stormwater detention and retention ponds shall be integrated landscape features, rather than singlepurpose flood control and stormwater management ponds.
k. Stormwater detention and retention ponds shall be planted with appropriate trees, shrubs and grasses. Hydrophilic plants are required in basin areas prone to submersion.
l. Constructed water features such as fountains, streams and ponds that operate with water recirculation systems shall be designed to prevent seepage and leaks.
2. Landscape construction standards.
a. Open spaces and civic space shall be protected with a temporary construction fence during all site work and construction activities unless alterations to them are otherwise specified by landscape grading plans.
b. The soil structure of wide planting strips shall be protected from compaction with a temporary construction fence. Standards of access, excavation, movement, storage and backfilling of soils in relation to the construction and maintenance of deep utilities and manholes shall be specified.
c. The topsoil within the construction area's limits of disturbance shall be removed, stored and amended as recommended by a landscape soils test.
d. Wind erosion shall be mitigated and controlled though dust abatement and similar practices during the period of site work and construction.
e. Landscape soils that have been compacted during construction activities shall be loosened and aerated to a depth of at least six inches before planting.
f. Plants shall have normal, well-developed branches and vigorous root systems.
g. Temporary spray irrigation systems may be used to establish seeded areas for grass and groundcover.
3. Landscape maintenance.
a. All grass and vegetation shall be lightly fertilized to avoid fertilizer pollution to groundwater, streams and ponds.
b. No disturbed ground shall be left exposed. Turfgrass and other approved and appropriate groundcovers or mulch shall cover all non-paved and non-built developed areas.
c. It shall be the responsibility of the property owner(s) or his assigned agent(s) to:
i. Maintain and keep all screening and fencing in good condition at all times; and
ii. Maintain landscaping by keeping lawns properly mowed and edged, plants properly pruned and disease-free, and planting beds mulched, groomed and weeded, except in T1, and areas of naturally occurring vegetation and undergrowth; and
iii. Replace any required planting(s) which are significantly damaged, altogether removed, infested, disease ridden, or dead within one year or the next planting season, whichever occurs first, except in T1, and areas of naturally occurring vegetation and undergrowth.
G. Specific to special districts SD3 airport T5.1 and SD4 airport T5.2.
1. Trees shall not be required in the first layer.
2. The first layer may be paved to match the pavement of the public frontage.
3. Landscape islands in interior parking lots shall only occur at the end of drive aisles.
4. Islands should be the minimum size for healthy growth for the specific species of tree.
5. Porous paving materials are encouraged in order to increase stormwater infiltration on site.
H. Specific to special district SD5 airport science and technology.
1. Buffers and screening elements shall be used to screen parking areas from public view, to screen service yards and other places that are unsightly along B streets, and to buffer between the special district and the adjacent airport special districts.
2. A street landscape border may include the sidewalk and shall be a minimum of ten feet in width, running the full length of the street property line bounding the site except for points of ingress and egress. The measurement starts at the right-of-way.
3. A minimum of one tree shall be planted within the first layer for each forty feet of frontage line or portion thereof.
4. Fifty percent or more of the street landscape border area must have shrubs and vegetative cover.
5. An interior landscape border is located along common property lines and is required between SD5 airport science and technology and an airport special district.
6. Plants shall be five-gallon minimum and of a type that will maintain a screen at least thirty-six inches high. The plant chosen to provide screening must have a mature width that will provide an opaque screen.
7. Fifty percent of the interior landscape border shall be equally covered with vegetation.
I. Specific to Northwest Park, Airport and MCA SD Parks. Parks shall be managed with appropriate low care and drought tolerant grasses cut high or uncut. Parks may be left with native vegetation only.
J. Specific to Northwest Park, Airport and MCA SD Greens. Greens shall be planted or managed with appropriate low care and drought tolerant turf grasses cut high.
K. Specific to Northwest Park, Airport and MCA SD Squares. Squares shall be carefully graded, leveled, and planted with sod.
(Ord. 16945 § 2 (part), 2008) (Ord. No. 17378, § 2, 8-24-2010; Ord. No. 17542, § 32, 4-26-2011; Ord. No. 17787, § 12, 5-15-2012; Ord. No. 17962, § 9, 3-5-2013)
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_CH21.50BUSCPL_21.50.110LASTFetched: 10/28/2026