Chapter 12.20
STREET NUMBERING
Sections:
12.20.020 Streets designated by number – Starting lines.
12.20.035 The system of numbering for multi-tenant and multiple structure complexes.
12.20.040 Assignment of addresses.
12.20.010 Address system.
The following system of addressing and street identification is accepted for those areas of the city of La Center for which said city is responsible for the issuance of addresses:
(1) The city shall be divided into quadrants by establishing a north-south baseline and an east-west baseline. The north-south baseline is 1st Street and the east-west baseline is Aspen Avenue extended. The resulting quadrants (north, south, east and west) shall be prefixed to named or numbered roads.
(2) The quadrants above developed shall be further divided on the basis of 20 blocks to the mile, except in those instances where a different base is already in effect, and the blocks so developed shall be further divided to provide an address every 25 feet, or such other division necessary to provide continuity in addressing.
(3) The dividing lines between blocks above developed shall be numbered progressively from the baselines and the addresses above developed shall be numbered progressively from the block lines. Addresses located on the north and east of block lines shall end in odd numbers and those located on the south and west of block lines shall end in even numbers.
(4) Roads running east and west shall be designated as “streets” and identified with the number of the nearest east-west block lines.
(5) Roads running north and south shall be designated as “avenues” and identified with the number of the nearest north-south block line.
(6) Roads running east and west between the streets shall be designated as “ways” and identified with the number of the preceding block line or street.
(7) Roads running north and south between avenues shall be designated as “places” and identified with the number of the preceding block line or avenue.
(8) Roads running east and west ending in a cul-de-sac or which cannot be extended shall be designated as “circles” and identified with the number of the nearest preceding east-west block line or street.
(9) Roads running north and south ending in a cul-de-sac which cannot be extended shall be designated as “courts” and identified with the number of the nearest preceding north-south block line or avenue.
(10) Roads running diagonally or irregularly in relation to the baseline shall be designated as “drives” or “roads.”
(11) Major arterials may be named to retain local or historical meaning and may be designated as “boulevards,” “highways,” “expressways,” etc., as appropriate. [Ord. 96-9 § 1, 1996.]
12.20.020 Streets designated by number – Starting lines.
Wherever possible, the streets and avenues hereafter shall be designated by a number. The starting line for the numbering of avenues shall be Aspen Avenue extended. The baseline for the numbering of streets shall be 1st Street. [Ord. 96-9 § 2, 1996.]
12.20.030 House numbers.
Numbers shall be assigned to each house based on the point of entry to the property. [Ord. 96-9 § 3, 1996.]
12.20.035 The system of numbering for multi-tenant and multiple structure complexes.
This section shall govern the numbering of units and buildings within all multiple tenant commercial and residential developments in the city. An address number shall be assigned to each primary building except for situations where public safety or consistent numbering is better achieved by single addresses for complexes of multiple buildings. All numbering systems shall be subject to review and approval by public works staff prior to construction.
(1) Multiple Dwellings in a Single Building. Where there are multiple dwelling units in a single building, as with a duplex, triplex and so forth, unit numbering shall depend upon whether the individual units have separate entrances that face the street, or whether the primary entrance(s) to the building or units face an off-street parking lot. The following subsections are intended to provide guidance and the public works director, in consultation with emergency service providers, shall have the ultimate authority to review and possibly modify the final addressing system.
(a) Single Entrance or Units Face Off-Street Parking Lot. Where the individual units share a single entrance, or if the entrance(s) to the building or units face an off-street parking lot, then the building shall have a single street address, and each unit shall be numbered as described in subsection (2) of this section.
(b) Units with Separate Entrances that Face the Street. Where the individual units have separate entrances and the entrances face the street, each unit shall have a separate street address number, and the numbering shall be consistent with the regular numbering along the street. If the building is multi-storied and individual unit numbers do not present a clear and easy-to-find addressing system for emergency service providers, then the public works director may require a single street address with separate unit numbers as provided in subsection (1)(a) of this section.
(2) Multiple Dwellings in a Multiple Building Complex. Where there are multiple dwellings in a complex consisting of multiple buildings, the complex shall be assigned a single street address. Individual buildings within the complex shall be assigned a different letter starting with the first building to the right as you enter the complex, which shall be designated with the letter “A.” The letters shall continue sequentially in a counter-clockwise direction. The letters shall be at least 24 inches high, be a contrasting color, and be affixed on the side of the building near the building’s main entrance. Each unit within the complex shall be numbered individually and sequentially with no repeated numbers. In multiple level buildings, ground level numbers shall be preceded by a one, second level number shall be preceded by a two, etc. For example, the first unit on the ground floor of building “A” should be A-101. A unit approximately above this first unit should be A-201. Each unit shall have the unit number posted near the point of entry to the unit. These numbers shall be prominently displayed pursuant to the La Center Municipal Code.
(a) If the number of units in a complex varies from one level or building to the next, the numbering of subsequent buildings shall continue from the highest preceding number as if all intervening numbers had been assigned to every floor.
(b) A recreational building shall be lettered but shall not be assigned a unit number unless there are two or more recreational buildings in the complex.
(c) Directory signs listing building addresses shall be located at all public street entries to multiple building and multiple tenant complexes. Directory signs are subject to the requirements of La Center sign code.
(3) Mobile Home Parks. A primary street address shall be assigned to a mobile home or manufactured dwelling park consisting of leased lots. Space numbers beginning with No. 1 shall be assigned to individual spaces or units within the park beginning with the first space or unit to the right as you enter the park. Numbers shall continue sequentially in a counter-clockwise direction. The number of each unit shall be prominently displayed on each unit or space pursuant to the city of La Center Municipal Code.
(4) One Organization in Multiple Buildings. Multiple buildings that house a single business, school, or other organization shall be assigned a single street address based on the main driveway location. Each building shall be assigned a letter with the same requirements described in subsection (2) of this section. Directory signs shall be located at all public street entries and are subject to the requirements of the La Center sign code.
(5) Multiple Tenant Buildings with Flexible Floor Plans. For multiple tenant commercial buildings with flexible floor plans and where units or tenants do not have individual exterior entrances, i.e., suite assignments and access is from interior hallways, public works staff may permit a single address for the building. Where tenants or units have their own individual outside entrances, a range of unit numbers will be assigned that accommodates potential future expansions. A master plan for addressing a complex may be created, but individual address assignments will be at the discretion of public works staff.
(a) Suite numbers shall be in ascending order but need not be consecutive. Gaps should be left in the numbering sequence to allow for the addition of units and suites in the future.
(b) In multiple level buildings, ground level numbers shall be preceded by a one; second level numbers shall be preceded by a two, etc. Suite numbers shall not repeat themselves. For example, the first suite number on the ground floor should be 101.
(c) Directory signs which list building addresses, unit numbers and tenant names shall be located at all public street entries to multiple tenant complexes and are subject to the requirements of the La Center sign code.
(6) Multiple Building Commercial and Business Complexes. Multiple building business parks that share a common parking lot shall follow the numbering system described in subsection (2) of this section, but shall accommodate future expansion as described in subsection (5) of this section. [Ord. 2002-9, 2002.]
12.20.040 Assignment of addresses.
All houses, residences and places of business within the city shall be numbered in accordance with LCMC 12.20.010. All homes, buildings, residences and places of business hereafter constructed shall be assigned such number as the clerk/treasurer or his/her designee shall determine in the permit granted for such construction. [Ord. 96-9 § 4, 1996.]