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A. General. Streets within the city of Bellingham shall be designated, identified and maintained in accordance with subsections (A) through (E) of this section.

B. Designation. All private and public street designation shall be in accordance with subsections (B)(1) through (B)(6) of this section. Designation assignment shall be consistent with this code and shall be approved by the fire chief or their designee.

1. Annexation. Designation of recently annexed streets, which have a centerline alignment offset less than 50 feet from an existing city intersection, shall be redesignated to bear the name of the adjacent city street. The redesignation will be in accordance with the requirements of BMC 17.30.050(B).

2. Alignment. Designation of new streets, which have a centerline alignment offset less than 50 feet, shall bear the name of the adjacent street. Otherwise, the street will be designated in accordance with this section.

3. Neighborhoods. New streets should continue any alphabetical, numerical, or type of name already established within the neighborhood.

4. Name Register. The fire department shall create and maintain a register of approved street names. The fire chief or designee will approve all street names placed on the register.

5. Street-Type Designators. Streets shall use one of the street designators from BMC 17.30.020.

6. Street Designation Threshold. Streets serving five or more residential or commercial structures shall have a name designation.

Exception: Streets within manufactured home parks.

C. Identification. Streets shall be identified with approved signs consistent with the City of Bellingham Development Guidelines and Improvement Standards.

1. Temporary Signs. Temporary signs shall be installed at each street intersection when construction of a new street allows passage of vehicles.

2. Permanent Signs. Permanent signs shall be installed in approved locations on both public and private streets prior to completion of street construction. A new structure may not be occupied until permanent signs are installed.

D. Maintenance. All street signs shall be maintained in an approved manner.

1. Responsibility. Sign maintenance is the responsibility of the property owner. Private street signs shall be the responsibility of the private property owner. Public street sign maintenance shall be the responsibility of the city of Bellingham public works department.

E. Existing Conditions. The fire chief or their designee may require existing street designation to meet the requirements of this section when the street designation is inconsistent with this section or when in the opinion of the fire or police chief the existing condition negatively impacts emergency services responsiveness. Street redesignation will be in accordance with BMC 17.30.050(B). [Ord. 2013-06-044 § 2].