TRAFFIC-CONTROL DEVICES

El Paso City Code tit. 12, ch. 12.20

in effect

El Paso City Code § 12.20.010 Installation authority.

12.20.010 - Installation authority. The traffic engineer, subject to the approval of the city council, shall place and maintain traffic-control signs, signals and devices when and as required under the traffic ordinances of this city to make effective the provisions of such ordinances and may place and maintain such additional traffic-control devices as may be necessary to regulate traffic under the traffic ordinances of this city or under state law, or to guide or warn traffic. (Prior code § 20-35)

El Paso City Code § 12.20.020 Obedience to—Burden of providing proof of existence.

12.20.020 - Obedience to—Burden of providing proof of existence. A. The driver of any vehicle and the motorman of any streetcar shall obey the instructions of any applicable traffic-control device, signal, sign, or curb or street marking placed in accordance with any law or ordinance, unless otherwise directed by a police officer, or unless in circumstances (such as authorized emergency vehicles in certain cases) when compliance is excused by law or ordinance. B. In any prosecution for any violation of this title, it shall not be necessary for the state or city to prove the installation, or authority therefor, of any traffic-control device, signal, sign, or curb or street marking; but any person charged with such violation shall have the right to prove as a defense that the traffic-control device, signal, sign or marking was not so installed or authorized. (Prior code § 20-36)

El Paso City Code § 12.20.030 Conformance with manual and specifications.

12.20.030 - Conformance with manual and specifications. All traffic-control signs, signals and devices shall conform to the manual and specifications approved by the State Highway Commission or resolution adopted by the legislative body of this city. All signs and signals required hereunder for a particular purpose shall so far as practicable be uniform as to type and location throughout the city. All traffic-control devices so erected and not inconsistent with the provisions of state law or this chapter shall be official traffic-control devices. (Prior code § 20-37)

El Paso City Code § 12.20.040 Specific locations.

12.20.040 - Specific locations. The traffic engineer shall place and maintain traffic-control signs, signals and devices at the various intersections and locations as set out in Schedule XII, Section 12.88.140 and at all other places where traffic-control signs, signals and devices are now in place within the city. (Prior code § 20-39)

El Paso City Code § 12.20.050 Effect of illegible or missing signs—Sections effective where sign not required.

12.20.050 - Effect of illegible or missing signs—Sections effective where sign not required. No provision of this title for which signs are required shall be enforced against an alleged violator if at the time and place of the alleged violation an official sign is not in proper position and sufficiently legible to be seen by an ordinarily observant person. Whenever a particular section does not state that signs are required such section shall be effective even though no signs are erected or in place. (Prior code § 20-38)

El Paso City Code § 12.20.060 Signal legend—Go, caution and stop.

12.20.060 - Signal legend—Go, caution and stop. Whenever traffic is controlled by traffic-control signals exhibiting the words "go," "caution," or "stop," or exhibiting different colored lights successively one at a time, or with arrows, the following colors only shall be used and such terms and lights shall indicate and apply to drivers of vehicles and pedestrians as follows: A. Green alone or "go": 1. Vehicular traffic facing the signal may proceed straight through or turn right or left unless a sign at such place prohibits either such turn. But vehicular traffic, including vehicles turning right or left, shall yield the right-of-way to other vehicles and to pedestrians lawfully within the intersection or an adjacent crosswalk at the time such signal is exhibited. 2. Pedestrians facing the signal may proceed across the roadway within any marked or unmarked crosswalk unless prohibited so to do by a pedestrian "Wait" signal. B. Yellow alone or "caution" when shown following the green or "go" signal: 1. Vehicular traffic facing the signal is thereby warned that the red or "stop" signal will be exhibited immediately thereafter and such vehicular traffic shall not enter or be crossing the intersection when the red or "Stop" signal is exhibited. 2. Pedestrians facing such signal are thereby advised that there is insufficient time to cross the roadway, and any pedestrian then starting to cross shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles. C. Red alone or "stop": 1. Vehicular traffic facing the signal shall stop before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or, if none, then before entering the intersection, and shall remain standing until green or "go" is shown alone, except that the vehicle may make on the red signal any turn permitted by state law. a. Provided, such turns on a steady red signal are prohibited on the named approaches to the following intersections: Intersection | Approach Alabama Street—McKelligon | Westbound on McKelligon Drive Alabama Street—Nashville Avenue | Westbound on Nashville Eastbound on Nashville Alameda Avenue—Candelaria Street—Old Pueblo Drive | Southbound on Candelaria Southbound on Old Pueblo Alameda Avenue—Concepcion Street | Northbound on Concepcion Chelsea Street—El Paso Drive-Paisano Drive | Southbound on Paisano Dyer Street—Ellerthorpe Avenue | Northbound and Southbound on Dyer Street Gateway North—Altura Avenue | Northbound on Gateway North Gateway North—Trowbridge Drive | Northbound on Gateway North Gateway North—Yandell Drive | Northbound on Gateway North Gateway North—Montana Avenue | Northbound on Gateway North Gateway South—Trowbridge Drive | Southbound on Gateway South Gateway South—Yandell Drive | Southbound on Gateway South Mesa Street—San Antonio Avenue | Southbound on Mesa Northbound on Mesa Mesa Street—Schuster Avenue | Eastbound on Schuster Montana Avenue—Airport Road | Westbound on Montana Southbound on Airport Raynolds Street—Gateway West | Southbound on Raynolds Santa Fe Street—Wyoming Avenue | Northbound on Santa Fe Street Trowbridge Drive—Texaco Road | Northbound on Texaco b. At intersections where dual right turns are permitted on the green signal, right turns on the red signal are permitted in the right lane only, and are prohibited in the adjacent lane. c. At the following intersection left turns on the red signal are prohibited: Intersection | Approach Kansas Street-Yandell Drive—IH-10 off-ramp | Westbound on Yandell and on-ramp Campbell Street—Yandell Drive | Northbound on Campbell Street d. At all intersections where dual left turns are permitted from a one-way street on the green signal, left turns on the red signal are permitted in the left lane only, and are prohibited in the adjacent lane. e. At all intersections where dual left turns are permitted from the center of an arterial street only on a green arrow signal, all left turns and U-turns are prohibited when no green arrow signal is displayed. D. Red with green arrow: 1. Vehicular traffic facing such signal may cautiously enter the intersection only to make the movement indicated by such arrow, but shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians lawfully within a crosswalk and to other traffic lawfully using the intersection. 2. No pedestrian facing such signal shall enter the roadway until the green or "go" is shown alone unless authorized so to do by a pedestrian "walk" signal. E. In the event an official traffic-control signal is erected and maintained at a place other than an intersection, the provisions of this section shall be applicable except as to those provisions which by their nature can have no application. Any stop required shall be made at a sign or marking on the pavement indicating where the stop shall be made, but in the absence of any such sign or marking the stop shall be made at the signal. F. The motorman of any street car shall obey the above signals as applicable to vehicles. (Ord. 12245 Exh. A, 1995; prior code § 20-40) (Ord. No. 18409, § 1, 8-25-2015; Ord. No. 18622, § 1, 12-6-2016; Ord. No. 18919, § 1, 3-19-2019)

El Paso City Code § 12.20.070 Signal legend—Walk, wait and don't walk.

12.20.070 - Signal legend—Walk, wait and don't walk. Whenever special pedestrian-control signals exhibiting the words "walk" or "wait" "don't walk" are in place, such signals shall indicate as follows: A. Walk. Pedestrians facing such signal may proceed across the roadway in the direction of the signal or in any marked crosswalk and shall be given the right-of-way by the drivers of all vehicles. B. Wait, Don't Walk, or an Illuminated Symbol of an Up-raised Palm (symbolizing don't walk). No pedestrian shall start to cross the roadway in the direction of such signal, but any pedestrian who has partially completed his crossing on the walk signal shall proceed to the nearest sidewalk or safety zone while the wait signal is showing. (Prior code § 20-41)

El Paso City Code § 12.20.080 Signal legend—Flashing signals.

12.20.080 - Signal legend—Flashing signals. A. Whenever an illuminated flashing red or yellow signal is used in a traffic sign or signal it shall require obedience by vehicular traffic as follows: 1. Flashing Red (stop signal). When a red lens is illuminated with rapid intermittent flashes, drivers of vehicles shall stop before entering the nearest crosswalk at an intersection or at a limit line when marked, or, if none, then before entering the intersection, and the right to proceed shall be subject to the rules applicable after making a stop at a stop sign. 2. Flashing Yellow (caution signal). When a yellow lens is illuminated with rapid intermittent flashes, drivers of vehicles may proceed through the intersection or past such signal only with caution. B. This section shall not apply at railroad grade crossings. Conduct of drivers of vehicles approaching railroad grade crossings shall be governed by the rules as set forth in Section 12.84.010. (Prior code § 20-42)

El Paso City Code § 12.20.090 Display of unauthorized signs.

12.20.090 - Display of unauthorized signs. A. No person shall place, maintain or display upon or in view of any highway, street or roadway any unauthorized sign, signal, marking or device which purports to be or is an imitation of or resembles an official traffic control device or railroad sign or signal or which attempts to direct the movement of traffic, or which hides from view or interferes with the effectiveness of any official traffic-control device or any railroad sign or signal. B. No person shall place or maintain, nor shall any public authority permit, upon any highway any traffic sign or signal bearing thereon any commercial advertising. C. This section shall not be deemed to prohibit the erection upon private property adjacent to highways of signs giving useful directional information and of a type that cannot be mistaken for official signs. D. Every such prohibited sign, signal or marking is declared to be a public nuisance and the authority having jurisdiction over the highway is hereby empowered to remove the same or cause it to be removed without notice. (Prior code § 20-43)

El Paso City Code § 12.20.100 Interference with devices—Prohibited without authority.

12.20.100 - Interference with devices—Prohibited without authority. No person shall without lawful authority attempt to or in fact alter, deface, injure, knock down or remove any official traffic-control device or any railroad sign or signal or any inscription, shield or insignia thereon, or any other part thereof. (Prior code § 20-44)

El Paso City Code § 12.20.110 Interference with devices—Permit required.

12.20.110 - Interference with devices—Permit required. A. No person shall remove, deface, or obscure the wording of any traffic sign or signal, or cause the same to be done, without first obtaining a permit from the traffic engineer. B. In the case of signs not electrically operated or illuminated, such person shall notify the traffic engineer of the time when the sign is to be removed, defaced, or obscured; and upon completion of the work by reason of which the sign is removed, defaced or obscured he shall promptly restore the sign and notify the traffic engineer of its restoration. C. In the case of signs or signals which are electrically operated or illuminated, removal of the sign or signal, or any alteration thereof which may affect the electrical connections, parts, or operation, and the restoration thereof, shall be done by the city and the actual cost of such work shall be paid by the person at whose instance such work is done. The person doing or causing to be done the removing, defacing or obscuring of such sign or signal shall notify the traffic engineer at least twenty-four hours in advance of the time when the same is to be done. If restoration is to be done by the city, such person shall promptly notify the traffic engineer of completion of the work by reason of which the sign is removed, defaced or obscured. If restoration is to be done by such person he shall promptly do such restoration and notify the traffic engineer. D. The traffic engineer may require a deposit or bond to protect the city against loss in doing any restoration called for under this section if in his opinion the probable cost of the work and the financial condition of the applicant justify such deposit or bond. (Prior code § 20-45)

El Paso City Code § 12.20.120 Crosswalk and safety zone designation authority.

12.20.120 - Crosswalk and safety zone designation authority. The traffic engineer is hereby authorized: A. To designate and maintain, by appropriate devices, marks or lines upon the surface of the roadway, crosswalks at intersections where in his opinion there is particular danger to pedestrians crossing the roadway, and at such other places as he may deem necessary; B. To establish safety zones of such kind and character and at such places as he may deem necessary for the protection of pedestrians. (Prior code § 20-46)

El Paso City Code § 12.20.130 Traffic lanes—Authority to mark—Compliance with required.

12.20.130 - Traffic lanes—Authority to mark—Compliance with required. A. The traffic engineer is authorized to mark traffic lanes upon the roadway of any street or highway where a regular alignment of traffic is necessary. B. Where such traffic lanes have been marked, it is unlawful for the operator of any vehicle to fail or refuse to keep such vehicle within the boundaries of any such lane except when lawfully passing another vehicle or preparatory to making a lawful turning movement. C. Whenever any street or highway has been divided into four or more even numbers of clearly marked lanes for moving traffic, it is unlawful for the operator of any vehicle to drive to the left of the centerline of any such street or highway, except for the purpose of making a lawful turning movement; provided, that this section shall not apply to emergency vehicles when responding to emergency calls. (Prior code § 20-47)

El Paso City Code § 12.20.140 Crossing yellow lines—South Stanton Street.

12.20.140 - Crossing yellow lines—South Stanton Street. A. A double yellow line parallel to and thirty-nine feet from the west curbline of South Stanton Street shall be painted on the roadway of the street between the railroad tracks immediately north of the International Bridge and a point fifty feet south of the north rail of the second railroad track north of the bridge; and a double yellow line parallel to end thirty-one feet from the west curbline of said street shall be painted on the roadway between the second railroad track north of the bridge and the south line of Ninth Avenue. The north end of the first double line and the south end of the second double line shall be connected by a straight double yellow line painted on the roadway. N. Every driver of a southbound vehicle on the above described part of Stanton Street shall keep to the west of the above described double lines, and every driver of a northbound vehicle on said part of Stanton Street shall keep to the east of the double lines. (Prior code § 20-46.1)

El Paso City Code § 12.20.150 Crossing yellow lines—Oregon Street.

12.20.150 - Crossing yellow lines—Oregon Street. A. A double yellow line parallel to and eighteen feet from the east curbline on Oregon Street shall be painted on the roadway of the street between San Antonio Avenue and Paisano Drive. B. Every driver of a southbound vehicle on the above described part of Oregon Street shall keep to the west of the double line, and every driver of a northbound vehicle on said part of Oregon Street shall keep to the east of the double line. (Prior code § 20-46.2)

El Paso City Code § 12.20.160 Crossing yellow lines—Stanton Street.

12.20.160 - Crossing yellow lines—Stanton Street. A. A double yellow line parallel to and eighteen feet from the west curbline of Stanton Street shall be painted on the roadway of the street between the north right-of-way line of Arizona Avenue and the south right-of-way line of California Avenue, and the north end of this double yellow line shall be connected by a double yellow line to the south end of a double yellow center line on Stanton Street at River Avenue. B. Every driver of a southbound vehicle on the above described part of Stanton Street shall keep to the west of the double line, and every driver of a northbound vehicle on the above described part of Stanton Street shall keep to the east of the double line, and every driver of a northbound vehicle on the above described part of Stanton Street shall keep to the east of the double line. (Prior code § 20-46.3)

El Paso City Code § 12.20.170 School flasher and pedestrian safety flasher signals.

12.20.170 - School flasher and pedestrian safety flasher signals. This section sets forth basic principles and prescribes the standards to be followed in the application, installation and maintenance of school flasher signals and pedestrian safety flasher signals. The designation of school crossing zones shall be governed by Chapter 12.28 of the El Paso City Code. (Ord. 13974 § 1 (part), 1999)

El Paso City Code § 12.20.180 Definitions.

12.20.180 - Definitions. As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the following meaning: A. "Applicant" means the individual(s), entity, organization, or group that has submitted a request for the installation of a school flasher signal or a pedestrian safety flasher signal. B. "School crossing zone" means a reduced speed zone designated upon any street by the traffic engineer to facilitate safe crossing of the street by children going to or leaving from a public or private primary or secondary school or any combination thereof as set forth in Chapter 12.28 of the El Paso City Code. C. "Pedestrian safety zone" means a reduced speed zone designated upon any street by the traffic engineer to facilitate safe crossing of the street by pedestrians. D. "School flasher signal" means an electronically or mechanically operated traffic control device placed, erected, or installed by the City of El Paso for the purpose of regulating and warning vehicular traffic at designated school zones to reduce speeds to facilitate safe crossing of streets by school children. E. "Pedestrian safety flasher signal" shall mean an electronically or mechanically operated traffic control device placed, erected or installed by the City of El Paso for the purpose of regulating and warning vehicular traffic at designated pedestrian safety zones to reduce speeds to facilitate safe crossing of streets by pedestrians. (Ord. 13974 § 1 (part), 1999) (Ord. No. 17394, § 2, 8-24-2010, eff. 9-1-2010)

El Paso City Code § 12.20.190 School flasher signal installations.

12.20.190 - School flasher signal installations. All requests for the installation of a school flasher signal shall be handled in accordance with this section. A. The applicant requesting the installation of a school flasher signal shall submit a written request to the traffic engineer. The request shall come from the school board of the school requesting the school flasher signal and shall contain the location of the requested signal and a statement that the applicant will comply with all provisions of this section, including but not limited to, the payment responsibilities set forth in section. B. The applicant shall be responsible for payment of one hundred percent of the total equipment and installation cost of the school flasher signal. C. Upon receipt of the written request, the traffic engineer shall direct the conduct of a traffic engineering study to determine the justification for a school flasher signal in the area. The applicant shall be notified of the results of the traffic engineering study. D. If the traffic engineering study indicates that a school flasher signal is justified in the area, the engineering traffic division shall designate a school crossing zone pursuant to Section 12.28.020 of the El Paso City Code in the area at no cost to the applicant. If the applicant requests that a school flasher signal be installed in addition to the school crossing zone or, if there is a school crossing zone in the area already, a school flasher signal may be installed; provided, that the applicant agrees to be responsible for the payment of one hundred percent of the costs associated with the installation of such signal and executes an agreement, in a form acceptable to the city attorney's office, setting forth the applicant's responsibilities. E. Upon execution of the agreement and the city's receipt of the payment in full, the engineering traffic division shall proceed with the design and installation of the school flasher signal. F. Any modifications to the school flasher signal requested by the applicant may be made at the city's sole discretion, at the applicant's sole expense. (Ord. 13974 § 1 (part), 1999) (Ord. No. 17394, § 3, 8-24-2010, eff. 9-1-2010; Ord. No. 17815, §§ 1, 2, 6-19-2012)

El Paso City Code § 12.20.200 Pedestrian safety flasher signal installation.

12.20.200 - Pedestrian safety flasher signal installation. All requests for installation of a pedestrian safety flasher signal shall be handled in accordance with the provisions of this section. A. The applicant requesting the installation of a pedestrian safety flasher signal shall submit a written request to the traffic engineer. The request shall contain the location of the requested signal and a statement that the applicant will comply with all provisions of this section, including but not limited to, the payment responsibilities set forth in section. B. The applicant shall be responsible for payment of one hundred percent of the total equipment and installation costs of the pedestrian safety flasher signal. C. Upon receipt of the written request, the traffic engineer shall direct the conduct of a traffic engineering study to determine the justification for a pedestrian safety flasher signal. The applicant shall be notified of the results of the traffic engineering study. D. If the traffic engineering study indicates that a pedestrian safety flasher signal is justified, the traffic engineer shall designate a pedestrian safety zone in the area pursuant to Section 12.20.120 of the El Paso City Code. If the applicant requests that a pedestrian safety flasher signal be installed in addition to a pedestrian safety zone or if there is a pedestrian safety zone in the area already, a pedestrian safety flasher signal may be installed; provided, that the applicant agrees to be responsible for the payment of one hundred percent of the costs associated with the installation of such a signal and executes an agreement, in a form acceptable to the city attorney's office, setting forth the applicant responsibilities. E. Upon execution of the agreement by the applicant and the city and the city's receipt of the payment, the traffic engineer shall proceed with the design and installation of the pedestrian safety flasher signal. F. Any modifications to the pedestrian flasher signal requested by the applicant may be made at the city's sole discretion, at the applicant's sole expense (Ord. 13974 § 1 (part), 1999) (Ord. No. 17394, § 4, 8-24-2010, eff. 9-1-2010)

El Paso City Code § 12.20.210 Traffic engineering study.

12.20.210 - Traffic engineering study. The traffic engineer shall be responsible for conducting the comprehensive traffic engineering study to analyze and determine the need for a school or pedestrian safety flasher signal. The engineering traffic study shall consist of the following: 1. Traffic volume survey; 2. Gap study; 3. Speed study; 4. A field site survey. (Ord. 13974 § 1 (part), 1999) (Ord. No. 17394, § 5, 8-24-2010, eff. 9-1-2010)

El Paso City Code § 12.20.220 Flasher signal standards.

12.20.220 - Flasher signal standards. The basic principles and prescribed standards applied in the traffic engineering study shall conform to the applicable specifications of the Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (TMUTCD). A copy of the TMUTCD shall be on file with the engineering traffic division. (Ord. 13974 § 1 (part), 1999)

El Paso City Code § 12.20.230 Ownership and maintenance.

12.20.230 - Ownership and maintenance. It shall be unlawful for a person to modify, remove or in any way damage a school flasher signal or pedestrian safety flasher signal without the approval of the deputy director of engineering. The penalties applicable to this ordinance are as provided in Section 1.08.010 of the general code provisions of the City of El Paso, which provide for a fine not exceeding five hundred dollars per violation as may be affected by state law or as may be changed from time to time by the city council. (Ord. 13974 § 1 (part), 1999)

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_CH12.20TRNTDEFetched: 10/28/2026