EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) – Staff with the City of El Paso wants to remind the public and educate the City Council that you can’t rent out your house or your home swimming pool for events.
Tuesday, Jan. 4, the City Council discussed whether homeowners should be allowed to do just that.
Representatives heard amended language to the current city code during a presentation given by staff.
According to City documents, the council approved a motion to draft an ordinance prohibiting the use of residential properties as so-called entertainment venues. The same document also includes a ban on renting out residential swimming pools.
During the meeting, a presentation was given to clarify the ordinance further, stressing party halls and entertainment venues are not permitted in areas zoned as residential. The addition to the code reads: “Use of residential properties for dancehalls or entertainment venues is prohibited.”
In the same presentation, City officials said renting out a noncommercial swimming pool is also a violation. The only exemption to this would be to provide private swimming lessons.
No action was taken during the meeting, but Steve Alvarado, director of Code Enforcement with El Paso Police Department, said the presentation was to educate council members on the amended code language. The council tasked the city manager and staff to produce more data on complaints and community feedback for the future.
No deadline was given for the follow-up.
During the discussion, council members brought up several questions – primarily about how the ordinance would be enforced and how this would impact community members hosting private parties.
“If you’re having a family party, family gathering, those are allowed. It’s when you’re renting the residence out and pools out, that’s when it becomes an issue,” Alvarado with Code Enforcement said.
Alvarado said the residential properties do not have the proper permits or licensing to operate as entertainment venues – posing a safety concern to the community. In addition, he said the noise and parking complaints have also been an issue across the City, something he hopes enforcement will help with.
According to the presentation, enforcement requires catching violators in the act. Alvarado said to do this he will have a designated department to conduct sweeps on Fridays and Saturdays of residential areas.
“Just comply with the local ordinances. If they’re not allowed, then they would be prohibited. Be mindful of your neighbors; it impacts quality of life issues. Also, parking issues are a major complaint and debris that’s left behind by patrons or people going to their vehicles and dropping whatever,” Alvarado said.
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