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Building commission orders demolition of dilapidated house at 4948 Riley Court
Summary
El Paso’s Building and Standards Commission found the single-family dwelling at 4948 Riley Court unfit for habitation and approved a demolition order, giving the owner 30 days to secure, clean and demolish the structure or face city action and a lien.
The Building and Standards Commission on Feb. 19 ordered the demolition of a single-family dwelling at 4948 Riley Court after city inspectors presented evidence that the home is structurally unsound and a public-safety hazard.
Inspector Naomi Castro of the Department of Code Enforcement told commissioners the property, built about 1955 and identified in city records as owned by Patricia Lopez, was found during an investigation that began Sept. 17, 2025, to have “substantial damage and [be] dilapidated,” with a deteriorated roof open to the elements, cracked exterior walls, combustible debris inside and unauthorized entry. Castro said the house lacked electric, gas and water meters as of Feb. 10, 2026, and listed the case number as ENHS25-4742. The department recommended revoking the certificate of occupancy, securing the structure within 30 days and demolishing it within 30 days.
“The structure is substandard and unfit for habitation or use and a hazard to the public health, safety and welfare,” Castro said in her presentation.
Commissioners asked staff about the identity and whereabouts of the owner and whether occupants had been living there. Staff replied they perform detailed title searches, check city tax records, talk to neighbors and ‘‘over notify’’ interested parties as part of due process. Neighbors told staff that the owner may be incarcerated, and staff said they had exhausted other efforts before bringing the case to the commission.
Two members of the public who signed up to speak — Carlos Marquez and Joe Herrera — said they were interested in purchasing the property; they did not speak on behalf of the current owner.
A commissioner moved to adopt the staff recommendation for securing, cleaning and demolishing the structure within 30 days; the motion was seconded and the commission voted to approve the order.
If the owner or any interested party fails to comply, staff told the commission the city may take necessary action — including demolition — and place a lien on the property for costs incurred by the city.
Next steps: the owner has 30 days to comply with the order and permitting requirements, or the city may proceed with demolition and place a lien to recover costs.
