Definitions.
El Paso City Code § 18.40.020
in effect18.40.020 - Definitions.
Unless otherwise expressly stated, the following terms shall for the purpose of this article, have the meanings indicated in this section:
A. "Owner" means a person in whom is vested the ownership or title of real property, including, but not limited to:
1. The holder of fee simple title;
2. The holder of a life estate;
3. The holder of a leasehold estate that includes the vacant portions of the building;
4. The buyer in a contract for deed;
5. A mortgagee, receiver, executor, or trustee in control of real property; and
6. The named grantee in the last recorded deed.
B. "Vacant" means any building, structure, or portion thereof, that regardless of its structural condition, is not occupied for a continuous period of two years from March 1, 2011 (the effective date of the Vacant Building Ordinance) or from the first day of vacancy, whichever is later, and to which any one of the following conditions apply:
1. It is located in an enforcement area;
2. The city has issued an order to the owner of the building or structure requiring that it be boarded up, fenced, or otherwise secured in an approved manner pursuant to Section 214.001 Texas Local Government Code; or
3. The city has issued a notice of violation of Chapter 18.50 of the City Code to the owner of the building or structure.
C. "Occupied" means that pursuant to and within the scope of a valid certificate of occupancy or within an occupancy use that is authorized for the building or structure designated primarily for nonresidential uses, that one or more persons conduct business in or reside in at least forty percent of the total area of a building or structure which is two stories or fewer (excluding stairwells, elevator shafts, and mechanical rooms); or where one or more persons conduct business in or reside in at least sixty percent of the total area of a building or structure which is more than two stories (excluding stairwells, elevator shafts, and mechanical rooms); or one or more persons reside in any portion of the building or structure where the building or structure is designated for residential use having four dwelling units or less.
D. "Enforcement area" means any area which lies within the boundaries of the Downtown 2015 Plan, as identified in Ordinance No. 016487 dated October 31, 2006, by map attached therein; the Lower Dyer Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Area, as identified by Resolution dated January 15, 2008, by map attached therein; all of which are incorporated herein by reference. Maps of the enforcement areas are on file with the city clerk.
E. "Certificate of registration" means a certificate of registration issued by the permit official under this chapter to the owner of a vacant building, which may include owner obligations to undertake certain identified improvements to the vacant building during the registration term.
F. "Nonresidential uses" means any principal use of a building, structure, or portion thereof which is an occupancy type or use group other than a residential use group having four dwelling units or less.
(Ord. No. 17968, § 1, 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=TIT18BUCO_CH18.40VABU_18.40.020DEFetched: 10/28/2026