El Paso, TX Historic Preservation: Historic-Cultural Monuments (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing chapter
- El Paso City Code Ch. 20.20
- Local term used
- 'Historic landmark'/'H-overlay,' not 'cultural monument'
- Demolition review delay
- 60 days minimum from complete application
- State law cross-reference
- Tex. Loc. Gov't Code § 211.0165
- Named historic districts
- 9, incl. Downtown, Ysleta, Sunset Heights
Summary
El Paso doesn't use the term 'cultural monument': its equivalent is the 'historic landmark' or 'H-overlay' designation under City Code Chapter 20.20, adopted because protecting historic landmarks serves 'the culture, prosperity, education, safety and general welfare of the people.' Owners of a designated landmark need a certificate of appropriateness before altering, demolishing, or removing it.
A.The city council finds and declares as a matter of public policy that the protection, enhancement, preservation and use of historic landmarks is a public necessity and is required in the interest of the culture, prosperity, education, safety and general welfare of the people. The purposes of this chapter include the following but are not limited to:B.To protect, enhance and perpetuate historic landmarks which represent or reflect distinctive and important elements of the city's, region's, state's or nation's architectural, archaeological, cultural, social, economic, ethnic and political history and to develop appropriate settings for such places;C.To safeguard the city's historic and cultural heritage, as embodied and reflected in such historic landmarks by appropriate regulations;D.To stabilize and improve property values in such locations.
Full Breakdown
010, states that 'the protection, enhancement, preservation and use of historic landmarks is a public necessity' and lists safeguarding the city's historic and cultural heritage, stabilizing property values, and protecting tourist attractions among its purposes, the closest thing El Paso's code has to a 'cultural monument' designation used in other Southwestern cities. 0165's procedural requirements. 080). 120). 130). Nine historic districts are named in the code: Austin Terrace, Chihuahuita, Downtown, Magoffin, Manhattan Heights, Mission Trail, Old San Francisco, Sunset Heights, and Ysleta, plus the Rio Grande and Montana Avenue National Register Districts.
Violations & Fines
Demolishing, altering, or otherwise adversely affecting a designated historic landmark without first obtaining a building permit and the HLC's certificate of demolition is unlawful under § 20.20.140, and the city can sue to restrain or correct the violation. A violator is also liable for damages equal to the cost of restoring the landmark (or building a facsimile using original materials where feasible), plus the city's attorney's, architect's, and appraiser's fees incurred enforcing the chapter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does El Paso have a 'cultural monument' designation?
Can I demolish a building once it's designated a historic landmark?
What happens if I demolish a historic landmark without a permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in El Paso
Texas rules heatmap·Compare El Paso to another location·View the Texas historic preservation overview
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