New Ordinance To Keep Vacant Buildings Maintained

A new City of El Paso ordinance is on the books to make sure owners of vacant buildings keep their properties well maintained.

El Paso City Council passed the ordinance during Tuesday’s meeting.

City officials estimate there are more than 5,700 properties throughout the city that are sitting vacant. Of those properties, most are wasting away, according to El Paso Deputy City Manger, Patricia Adauto.

She said the the ordinance which passed on Tuesday by a unanimous vote will, “Send a signal that property owners need to take care of their properties.”

Under the new plan, all owners of residential building that have been vacant for more than two years will have to get their property inspected by the El Paso Fire Department. Same goes for commercial buildings that have been vacant for three or more years. The inspectors will make sure the buildings do not have broken windows or missing doors, among other things.

City Council members said the goal is to reduce blight and crimes associated with vacant building in disrepair.

Enforcement of the new ordinance will start March 1, 2011. Property owners that do not comply with the new regulation could be fined up to $2,000.