Chapter 12.12
ADDRESSING AND GRID SYSTEM

Sections:

12.12.010    Official map.

12.12.020    Definitions.

12.12.030    Way-of-travel designation.

12.12.040    Numerical designation of buildings and real property.

12.12.050    Denoting ways-of-travel.

12.12.060    Powers and duties of department.

12.12.070    Display of designations.

12.12.080    Filing fee.

12.12.090    Violation – Penalty.

12.12.010 Official map.

A. The official map shall impose upon Gig Harbor a numerical grid as set forth within such official map.

B. The official map is adopted as part of this chapter and incorporated by reference as though fully set forth herein.

C. The official map thereof shall be maintained in the Gig Harbor department of planning. The official map or copy thereof shall be available for public inspection during regular business hours. (Ord. 750 § 1, 1997; Ord. 462 § 1, 1985).

12.12.020 Definitions.

Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the following terms shall have the meanings which follow:

A. “Department” means the Gig Harbor department of planning and building.

B. “Private driveway” means a way-of-travel which is maintained by one or two dwellings (one duplex) for use as their exclusive access.

C. “Private road” means a way-of-travel which is maintained and has road sign designations posted for use as their exclusive access by more than two dwelling units (triplex or larger).

D. “Way-of-travel” means a roadway of whatever sort, including but not limited to avenues, boulevards, courts, drives, lanes, places, roads, streets, and ways, which is capable of carrying traffic. (Ord. 750 § 1, 1997; Ord. 462 § 2, 1985).

12.12.030 Way-of-travel designation.

The following way-of-travel designations shall apply to way-of-travel names and way-of-travel signs:

A. Streets are major ways-of-travel which run easterly-westerly.

B. Avenues are major ways-of-travel which run northerly-southerly.

C. Drives are winding major ways-of-travel or other major ways-of-travel as designated by the Gig Harbor city council.

D. The designation “road” as determined by the city council, shall be used only where the name has longstanding meaning or public sentiment.

E. Places shall be permanently closed avenues which run northerly-southerly.

F. Courts shall be permanently closed streets which run easterly-westerly, such as a cul-de-sac.

G. Loops shall be small loop-type streets to carry the name of the street from which they originate.

H. Lanes or other street names with the (Pvt) designation shall be private roads.

I. Ways are rights-of-way running at oblique angles to the four points of the compass.

J. The designations of ways-of-travel existing prior to the adoption of the ordinance codified in this chapter need not be changed to conform to the above requirements unless, in the opinion of the Gig Harbor city council, such change is necessary to promote the intent and spirit of the ordinance or to reduce or eliminate potential confusion.

K. All proposed names for new or existing ways-of-travel and private roads must be reviewed and approved by the Gig Harbor city council; however, private driveways are exempted. All proposed names within the “historical name area” as designated by the official map shall come from a list submitted by the Gig Harbor Historical Society or from other lists as approved by the Gig Harbor city council. All proposed names outside the “historical name area” as designated on the official map shall conform to the current Pierce County addressing grid numbering system. Ways‑of‑travel which extend beyond the historical name district may be designated by the historical name if approved by the Gig Harbor city council.

L. City ways-of-travel shall not have a number of “N.W.” as a designator.

M. All named or numbered arterials shall be signed at intersections. The sign shall carry the street or avenue designation and shall be subtitled the hundred block designation. Private roads shall have the name ending “Lane” or the “Pvt” designation.

Example:

Example:

(Ord. 750 § 1, 1997; Ord. 462 § 3, 1985).

12.12.040 Numerical designation of buildings and real property.

A. Buildings and unimproved real property, when required to be designated by this chapter, shall be designated numerically. The first numerals of such designation shall consist of the grid block number as shown by the official map in which the building or unimproved real property is situated, e.g., 16, 80, 76. The last two numerals of such designation shall be no less than 01 nor greater than 99 on the north and east sides of the way-of-travel, and no less than 02 nor greater than 98 on the south and west sides of the way-of-travel. The last two numerals shall never be 00, as that designation indicates an entire block, unless the building lies at the intersection of two ways‑of‑travel.

Ergo, the complete numerical designation for a building or unimproved real property may be, for example, 1605, 1428, 2882, 4013.

B. Except as provided in subsection C of this section, odd numerical designations shall be assigned to the north and east sides of ways-of-travel and even numerical designations shall be assigned to the south and west sides of ways-of-travel.

The geographic direction of a way-of-travel shall be determined by observing its overall length and noting its general or predominant direction.

When possible, even and odd numerical designations shall be assigned consecutively and opposite one another.

C. Buildings and unimproved real property situated on a circular way-of-travel may be numbered consecutively beginning at the point of origin and proceeding progressively around such circle or loop, provided that such a numbering system is necessary to promote the intent and spirit of this chapter or to reduce or eliminate potential confusion.

D. Each dwelling unit of duplexes, triplexes or fourplexes shall receive a numerical designation.

E. Buildings with multiple dwelling units, such as apartment buildings and condominiums, shall receive one numerical designation. Individual units shall be designated by suffixed letters or numbers. (Ord. 750 § 1, 1997; Ord. 462 § 4, 1985).

12.12.050 Denoting ways-of-travel.

All new or replaced signs denoting ways-of-travel shall display the name or numerical designation of the way-of-travel, and the district designation.

A. Signs on city roads shall be placed and maintained by the Gig Harbor public works department.

B. Signs on state roads shall be placed and maintained by the Washington State Department of Transportation.

C. Signs on private roads shall be placed and maintained by the Gig Harbor public works department. All costs incurred by the Gig Harbor public works department shall be borne by the first citizen or developer erecting a structure having a newly developed private road as its access; existing private roads shall have sign erection costs borne by the individual or individuals requesting a street name change. Easements must be recorded which enable access by the Gig Harbor public works department; such easements must be approved by the Gig Harbor public works director. (Ord. 750 § 1, 1997; Ord. 462 § 5, 1985).

12.12.060 Powers and duties of department.

A. The department is authorized and empowered to assign and/or change numerical designations of buildings and unimproved real property.

B. The department may use Report No. 332 of the American Society of Planning Officials (published March, 1978) as a guide in the numerical designation of buildings and unimproved real property.

C. When necessary to promote the intent and spirit of this chapter or to reduce or eliminate potential confusion, the department is authorized and empowered to assign and/or require numerical designations of buildings and unimproved real property in a manner other than specified in GHMC 12.12.030, 12.12.040 or 12.12.050.

D. The department is authorized and empowered to promulgate reasonable rules and regulations to implement and effect this chapter and to ensure the proper operation of the addressing and grid system.

E. The department shall maintain maps and files which catalog names or numerical designations of ways-of-travel and numerical designations of buildings and unimproved real property. (Ord. 750 § 1, 1997; Ord. 462 § 6, 1985).

12.12.070 Display of designations.

A. The owner, occupant, tenant, lessee or any other person or entity with a legal or equitable interest in any building which is habitable for residential, commercial, business, storage, or other purposes shall conspicuously display the numerical designation assigned to such building by the department. The numerical designation shall be easily legible with numerals not less than three inches in height and the numerals shall be displayed upon a contrasting background. Numeral and background colors shall be compatible with the building colors.

The numerical designation shall be displayed upon the building unless the building is not clearly visible from an adjacent way-of-travel. For buildings not clearly visible from an adjacent way‑of‑travel, the numerical designation shall be displayed near the main entrance to the property upon which the building is situated. Sign location and dimensions shall be approved by the department.

B. Buildings which are accessory to buildings which are required to be numerically designated need not, but may, be numerically designated. Unimproved real property need not, but may, be numerically designated. (Ord. 750 § 1, 1997; Ord. 462 § 7, 1985).

12.12.080 Filing fee.

A. The department shall collect a $50.00 filing fee from each applicant requesting a new name or name change to a way-of-travel or private road.

B. When the city changes the names of way‑of‑travel, no filing fee shall be required. (Ord. 750 § 1, 1997; Ord. 462 § 8, 1985).

12.12.090 Violation – Penalty.

Violation of any portion of this chapter is a civil infraction and subject to a penalty of $100.00 per day as provided in GHMC 1.16.010D. (Ord. 750 § 1, 1997; Ord. 462 § 9, 1985).