Lighting.
El Paso City Code § 20.18.280
in effect20.18.280 - Lighting.
A. Intensity:
1. All CEVM displays shall be illuminated at a level no greater than 0.3 foot-candles over ambient light levels for the location and time and shall employ light cutoff devices such as, but not limited to, louvers in order to minimize light escaping above the horizontal plane. Foot-candle readings shall be measured at ground level at the following distances:
a. Signs between zero to one hundred square feet shall be measured at one hundred feet from the source;
b. Signs between one hundred one to three hundred square feet shall be measured at one hundred fifty feet from the source;
c. Signs between three hundred one to six hundred fifty square feet shall be measured at two hundred feet from the source;
d. Signs in excess of six hundred fifty-one square feet shall be measured at two hundred fifty from the source.
2. As measured from the nearest residential property line, the maximum light emanation from an adjacent digital sign display shall be 0.3 foot-candles or less.
3. A CEVM display shall be equipped with both a dimmer control and a photocell which automatically adjusts the display's intensity according to natural ambient light conditions.
4. The CEVM display shall contain a default mechanism to show a "full black" image or turn the sign off in case of malfunction or shall be turned off within twelve hours of a reported malfunction.
B. Operational requirements for CEVM billboards: A CEVM billboard display shall comply with the following standards:
1. The changeable images must be only a series of still images; moving images or images which create the appearance of motion during the static display period are prohibited;
2. The dwell time, defined as the interval of change between each individual message, shall be eight seconds, and a change of message must be accomplished within one second or less; The dwell time shall not include the one second or less required to change a message;
3. A CEVM billboard display shall not resemble or simulate any traffic control or other official signage;
4. A CEVM billboard display must be equipped with a light sensing device which automatically adjusts the display's intensity according to natural ambient light conditions; and
5. No CEVM billboard display shall be erected, installed or altered to include animation such as parts which move, blinking lights, sound, or smoke or fumes issuing from the sign.
6. Use of flashing, strobing, or scrolling line-travel test such as, but not limited to, "ticker- tape" is prohibited.
7. No CEVM billboard shall have a cabinet that extends beyond two inches from the operational face of the sign.
C. Existing signs. All CEVM displays, as defined, in existence prior to the effective date of this Ordinance shall conform to the provisions of this subsection within one year of the adoption date of this ordinance [February 19, 2013]; provided however, that incandescent or monochrome LED signs using a single display color and which are used exclusively to display text, including time and temperature signs, shall be excluded from this requirement.
(Ord. No. 17317, § 3, 5-4-2010; Ord. No. 17960, § 14, 2-19-2013)
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=TIT20ZO_CH20.18SIRE_ARTIIIBIRE_20.18.280LIFetched: 10/28/2026