Chapter 14.48
STREET NAMES AND BUILDING ADDRESSES

Sections

14.48.010    Purpose.

14.48.020    Grid system adopted.

14.48.030    Street designations.

14.48.040    Council redesignation.

14.48.050    Block designations.

14.48.060    Street signs.

14.48.070    Address designations.

14.48.080    Address assignments.

14.48.090    Notification of address assignments.

14.48.100    Building official powers and duties.

14.48.110    Compliance required.

14.48.010 Purpose.

The purpose of this chapter is to grant the building official the authority to assign street names and numbers and to address the principal entrances of all buildings or other uses in conformance with the grid system adopted by this chapter. [Ord. 1407 § 194, 2007.]

14.48.020 Grid system adopted.

The grid system adopted by King County Resolution No. 16622, as amended by Ordinance Nos. 1630, 1721, 1874, 1970, 2081, 2221, and 2362, as presently constituted or as may be subsequently amended, and as amended, added to, or excepted in this chapter, together with all amendments and additions provided in this title, is adopted and is applicable within the city. [Ord. 1407 § 195, 2007.]

14.48.030 Street designations.

(1) The building official shall:

(a) Designate all public and private streets using the guidelines of the grid system; and

(b) Not name a street unless the building official determines that the number assigned to the street by the grid system is not feasible.

(2) The building official may redesignate existing streets if the building official determines the street name or number is inconsistent with the grid system.

(3) Public and private streets shall carry a cardinal point prefix or suffix. Public and private streets designated as:

(a) Avenues are preceded by a numerical designation, are assigned a cardinal point suffix, and are in a generally north-south direction;

(b) Streets are preceded by a numerical designation, are assigned a cardinal point prefix, and are in a generally east-west direction; and

(c) Circles, courts, drives, highways, lanes, places, and ways are assigned a cardinal point:

(i) Suffix if it is in a generally north-south direction; and

(ii) Prefix if it is in a generally east-west direction.

(4) A person may appeal a street designation to the hearing examiner in accordance with the hearing examiner code, provided a written appeal is filed with the city clerk within 10 days following the designation. [Ord. 1407 § 196, 2007.]

14.48.040 Council redesignation.

(1) Notwithstanding DMMC 14.48.010 through 14.48.030, the city council reserves the option of changing street names or changing numbered streets to named streets. Applications to the city council for street renaming shall contain the signatures of the majority of persons having ownership in properties addressed on the street. The filing fee for a street name change application is established by administrative order of the city manager. The building official shall provide written notification to affected property owners at least 20 days before final city council action.

(2) In its deliberations, the city council shall consider technical information from the building official, location and development characteristics relative to the street, and the impact of the change on existing businesses and residences, as well as on emergency vehicle responsiveness. Only entire street lengths or distinct major portions of streets are eligible for renaming by the city council. For the purposes of this chapter, “distinct major portion” means a separate portion of a street identifiable by either a directional shift of at least 45 degrees or an interrupted interval of at least one-quarter mile.

(3) A street name change is accomplished by the adoption of an ordinance directing the change. [Ord. 1407 § 197, 2007.]

14.48.050 Block designations.

The grid system shall determine numerical block designations. [Ord. 1407 § 198, 2007.]

14.48.060 Street signs.

The building official shall provide for the placing of street identification signs at the northeast and southwest corners of all intersections and at other locations determined by the building official. All signs shall have international style, size, and white lettering on a blue background. [Ord. 1407 § 199, 2007.]

14.48.070 Address designations.

(1) The building official shall assign building addresses using the following criteria:

(a) Even-numbered addresses are used on the:

(i) Northerly side of streets having a generally east-west direction; and

(ii) Easterly side of streets having a generally north-south direction; and

(b) Odd-numbered addresses are used on the:

(i) Southerly side of streets having a generally east-west direction; and

(ii) Westerly side of streets having a generally north-south direction.

(2) Buildings not visible from a public street or set back from a public street to the extent that the building address is not readily visible, are addressed from the driveway access.

(3) Addresses shall contain only whole numbers. The building official shall redesignate an existing address if the building official determines the address is inconsistent with this subsection.

(4) Multiple-dwelling units shall receive one building address. The location of the main entrance determines that number. The multiple-dwelling unit owner shall provide individual units within the complex a number composed of the unit number and floor in a clockwise direction from the main entrance. [Ord. 1407 § 200, 2007.]

14.48.080 Address assignments.

(1) In existing subdivision or short subdivision plats, in binding site plans, planned unit developments, and in land not yet platted, the assignment of addresses for new buildings shall occur in conjunction with the issuance of a building permit.

(2) In subdivision or short subdivision plats approved after September 14, 1993, the assignment of addresses shall conform with DMMC 17.40.050. [Ord. 1407 § 201, 2007.]

14.48.090 Notification of address assignments.

Upon assignment of a building address, the building official shall notify the:

(1) United States Postal Service;

(2) South King fire and rescue department;

(3) Des Moines police department; and

(4) Other agencies as determined by the building official. [Ord. 1407 § 202, 2007.]

14.48.100 Building official powers and duties.

(1) The building official shall promulgate rules to implement this chapter.

(2) The building official shall maintain the official record of current addresses. [Ord. 1407 § 203, 2007.]

14.48.110 Compliance required.

(1) Should the building official find that a building is not provided with an address, is not correctly addressed, or is not using the assigned address, the building official shall notify the owner or occupant of the correct address.

(2) The correct address number shall be placed and used by the effective date shown on the notice from the building official. [Ord. 1407 § 204, 2007.]