Planning & Inspections

State Legislature Limits City of El Paso’s Zoning Authority

The 89th Texas Legislature passed multiple laws that will change the City’s land use and planning policies and regulations.

Senate Bill 840 (Multifamily Permissions and Conversions)
SB 840 allows multifamily and mixed-use housing, with limited exceptions, to be constructed in zoning districts that allow office, commercial, retail, warehouse, or mixed-use developments in certain Texas cities, including El Paso.  The law impacts the City’s ability to regulate density, parking, height, lot coverage, and setbacks for all multifamily and mixed-use housing. 

Senate Bill 15 (Small Lot Single-Family)
SB 15 allows small lot single-family development on properties that are five acres and larger, have never been platted, and are zoned for single-family homes. The law impacts the City's ability to regulate certain standards, such as setbacks, lot coverage, and height in these subdivisions.

The legislation for these two bills is effective September 1, 2025. The City of El Paso is working to assess the impact of this legislation. The final interpretation and application of these laws are still under review by the City of El Paso.

Senate Bill 840
Senate Bill 15

One-Stop Shop

The City of El Paso’s One Stop Shop is designed to better serve the public with their licensing and permitting needs by consolidating land development, licensing, and permitting assistance into a single location.

The One Stop Shop is the primary intake point for land development, building permits, and most business licenses. It also serves as a primary payment location for all building and over-the-counter construction permits and most other City applications and licenses.

Representatives from the Planning and Inspection Department, as well as other City departments involved in the development and licensing process, are available at our information counters to answer questions and offer guidance and assistance during the design, review, and inspection phases of the development process.