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Addressing

Addressing (pdf)

ADDRESSING ORDINANCE FOR THE TOWN OF WATERFORD, MAINE

Section 1. Purpose
The purpose of this ordinance is to enhance the easy and rapid location of properties by law enforcement, fire, rescue, and emergency medical services personnel in the town of Waterford.
Section 2. Authority
This ordinance is adopted pursuant to and consistent with the Municipal Home Rule Powers as provided for in Article VIII, Part 2, Section 1 of the Constitution of the State of Maine and Title 30-A M.R.S.A. Section 3001.
Section 3. Administration
This ordinance shall be administered by the Selectmen, who are authorized to and shall assign road names and numbers to all properties, both on existing and proposed roads, in accordance with the criteria in Sections 4 and 5. The Selectmen shall also be responsible for maintaining the following official records of this ordinance:

  1. A Waterford map for official use showing road names and numbers.
  2. An alphabetical list of all property owners as identified by current assessment records, by last name, showing the assigned numbers.
  3. An alphabetical list of all roads with property owners listed in order of their assigned numbers.

Section 4. Naming System
All roads that serve two or more properties shall be named regardless of whether the ownership is public or private. A “road” refers to any highway, road, street, avenue, lane, private way, or similar paved, gravel, or dirt thoroughfare. “Property” refers to any property in which a more or less permanent structure has been erected or could be placed. A road name assigned by the town of Waterford shall not constitute or imply acceptance of the road as a public way.
The following criteria shall govern the naming system:

  1. No two roads shall be given the same name (e.g., no Pine Road and Pine Lane).
  2. No two roads should have similar-sounding names (e.g., Beech Street and Peach Street).
  3. Each road shall have the same name throughout its entire length.
  4. All roads that are town maintained shall be called a street or road. All private drives, etc. shall be called a drive or a lane and those which branch off from those shall be called ways.

Section 5. Numbering System
Numbers shall be assigned ever 50 (fifty) feet along both sides of the road, with even numbers appearing on the left side of the road and odd numbers appearing on the right side of the road, determined by the number origin. (The frontage interval may vary in more densely or lightly populated areas, and it should be so indicated where that particular interval applies.)
The following criteria shall govern the numbering system:

  1. All number origins shall begin from the designated center of Waterford or the end of the road closest to the designated center. (The numbering origin does not have to be the town center but could be a border with another community.) For dead end roads, numbering shall originate at the intersection of the adjacent road and terminate at the dead end.
  2. The number assigned to each structure shall be that of the numbered interval falling closest to the front door. If the front door cannot be seen from the main road, the number shall be that of the interval falling closest to the driveway of said structure.
  3. Every structure with more than one principal use or occupancy shall have a separate number for each use or occupancy (e.g. duplexes will have two separate numbers; apartments will have one road name with an apartment number, such as 235 Maple Street, Apt 2).

Section 6. Compliance
All owners shall, by the date stipulated in Section 8, display and maintain in a conspicuous place on said structure, the assigned numbers in the following manner:

  1. Number on the Structure or Residence. Where the residence or structure is within 50 (fifty) feet from the edge of the road right-of-way, the assigned number shall be displayed on the front of the residence or structure near the front door or entry
  2. Number at the Street Line. Where the residence or structure is over 50 (fifty) feet from the edge of the road right-of-way, the assigned number shall be displayed on a post, fence, wall, mail box, or on some structure at the property line next to the walk or access drive to the residence or structure.
  3. Size and Color of Number. Numbers shall be displayed in a contrasting color and shall be at least 3 inches in size and shall be located to be visible from the road.
  4. Every person whose duty is to display the assigned number shall remove any different number that might be mistaken for, or confused with, the number assigned in conformance with this ordinance.
  5. Interior Location. All residents and other occupants are requested to post the assigned number and road name next to their telephone for emergency reference.

Section 7. New Construction and Subdivisions
All new construction and subdivisions shall be named and numbered in accordance with the provisions of this ordinance and as follows:

  1. New Construction. Whenever any residence or other structure is constructed or developed, it shall be the duty of the new owner to obtain an assigned number from the Town Office. This shall be done at the time of the issuance of the building permit.
  2. New Subdivisions. Any prospective subdivider shall show a proposed road name and lot numbering system on the preapplication submission to the Planning Board. Approval by the Planning Board, after consultation with the addressing authority, shall constitute the assignment of road names and numbers to the lots in the subdivision. On the final plan showing proposed roads, the applicant shall mark on the plan, lines or dots, in the center of the streets every 50 (fifty) feet to aid in assignment of numbers to structures subsequently constructed.

Section 8. Effective Date
This ordinance shall become effective as of March 2, 1996 . It shall be the duty of the E911 Committee to notify by mail each property owner and the Post Office of a new address at least 30 (thirty) days before the effective date of its use. It shall be the duty of each property owner to comply with this ordinance, including the posting of new property numbers, within 30 (thirty) days following notification. On new structures, numbering will be installed before final inspection or when the structure is first used or occupied, whichever comes first.

Section 9. Enforcement
Enforcement of this ordinance shall be the responsibility of the Selectmen who may designate authority.

Section 10. Maintenance
The upkeep and replacing of road signs shall be done each spring by the Town Road Crew, per order of the Selectmen.

Approved by voters at the March 2, 1996 town meeting