El Paso, TX Parking Rules: Curb Color Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Curb color
- Red, with white FIRE LANE lettering
- Letter size
- 3 inches tall, 1/2-inch stroke
- Marking interval
- Every 50 feet along the lane
- Governing sections
- §§ 9.52.180.4, .5, .10 (Appendix D)
- Enforcement
- Towing + up to $2,000/day fine
- Adopted
- Ord. No. 019521, 7-5-2023
Summary
El Paso's Fire Code amendments require fire apparatus access roads and hydrant curbs to be painted red and marked "FIRE LANE. TOW AWAY ZONE" in three-inch white letters. City Code § 9.52.180.4 covers hydrant access curbs; § 9.52.180.10 extends the same red-paint-and-lettering standard, at intervals no more than 50 feet, to every designated fire lane citywide, with unauthorized vehicles subject to towing.
D103.1.1.1 Access road with hydrant access curbs. Hydrant access curbs are to be painted red and be conspicuously and legibly marked with the warning "FIRE LANE—TOW AWAY ZONE" in white letters at least three inches tall with a one-half inch stroke.
Full Breakdown
Adopted July 5, 2023 under Ordinance No. 1) requires that hydrant access curbs be painted red and conspicuously marked with the warning FIRE LANE, TOW AWAY ZONE in white letters at least three inches tall with a one-half inch stroke. 5 substitutes a minimum six-inch red pavement stripe carrying the identical warning. 6) applies the same standard to every fire lane the Authority Having Jurisdiction designates, requiring curbs painted red at intervals not exceeding 50 feet with matching white lettering, whenever the AHJ requires curb marking in addition to or instead of posted signs.
That section also makes it unlawful for any person, without lawful authority, to remove fire-lane signage, or to use the color red for the marking of a no-parking zone that purports to be, imitates, or resembles official fire-lane signage or marking, a property owner cannot paint a curb red on their own initiative to create a private no-parking zone. 15. 7).
Violations & Fines
Parking an unauthorized vehicle in a red-painted fire lane is unlawful under § 9.52.180.14, and the vehicle may be towed to a storage facility at the AHJ's direction. Painting a curb red to imitate official fire-lane marking without authority is also unlawful under § 9.52.180.10. General Fire Code violations carry a misdemeanor fine of up to $2,000 per day under § 9.52.030.17.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is allowed to paint a curb red in El Paso?
What does a red curb mean in El Paso?
How far apart must fire lane curb markings be?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in El Paso
Texas rules heatmap·Compare El Paso to another location·View the Texas parking rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.