Chapter 12.15
PROCEDURE FOR ASSIGNING NAMES TO CITY STREETS
Sections:
12.15.040 Uncertainty of road designations.
12.15.060 Council redesignation of streets.
12.15.010 Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to delegate to the Department of Public Works the authority to assign road names in conformance with the grid system established by King County. (Ord. 705 § 4, 2020; Ord. 64 § 1, 1993)
12.15.020 Road designations.
(1) Public or private roads shall be designated within the guidelines of the grid system as determined by the Public Works Director or designee. Named roads can only be assigned when the numbered grid is determined infeasible by the Public Works Director or designee or by resolution of the City Council. The Public Works Director or designee may redesignate existing private roads if such roads are determined to be inconsistent with the surrounding road designation system.
(2) All roads shall carry a geographic suffix or prefix. Roads designated as avenues shall carry a geographic suffix and shall extend in a north-south direction, and roads designated as streets shall carry a geographic prefix and shall extend in an east-west direction. Diagonal roads are treated as being either north-south or east-west roads. Names such as place, way, court, and drive may be used on a road extending in either direction.
(3) Appeals of designations shall first be heard by the City Manager. Subsequent appeal may be made to the City Council. (Ord. 705 § 4, 2020; Ord. 64 § 2, 1993)
12.15.030 Building addresses.
Repealed by Ord. 705. (Ord. 64 § 3, 1993)
12.15.040 Uncertainty of road designations.
Whenever there is doubt or difference of opinion as to the correct road designation, the road designation shall be determined by the Public Works Director or designee in accordance with this chapter. (Ord. 705 § 4, 2020; Ord. 64 § 4, 1993)
12.15.050 Maintenance.
Repealed by Ord. 705. (Ord. 64 § 5, 1993)
12.15.060 Council redesignation of streets.
(1) Notwithstanding provisions in this chapter, the City Council reserves the option of changing street names or changing numbered streets to named streets. Applications to the Council for street renaming shall contain the signatures of the majority of persons having ownership in properties addressed on the street to be renamed. Notice of proposed name changes shall be mailed to all property owners whose addresses would be changed at least 20 days prior to Council action. A change of street names shall be accomplished by the adoption of an ordinance directing such change.
(2) The Council shall consider technical input from the Public Works Department, locational 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, in determining whether the change should be granted. Only entire street lengths or distinct major portions of streets shall be separately renamed by the City. For purposes of this chapter, “distinct major portions” shall mean 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. (Ord. 705 § 4, 2020; Ord. 64 § 6, 1993)