17.30.040 Address numbers.
A. General. Address numbers, within the City of Bellingham shall be designated, identified, and maintained in accordance with subsections (B) through (C)(7) of this section.
B. Designation. All address number designation shall be in accordance with subsections (B) through (B)(2)(b) of this section. The city recognizes two address categories: street and unit. Address assignment shall be approved by the fire chief or their designee and be consistent with this code. The fire chief will maintain policy and procedures for the correct assignment of address during the development services permit process.
1. Street Address Numbers. Street address designation shall be in accordance with this section.
a. Sequence. Street address numbers shall increase consecutively as you travel away from the beginning point of the respective neighborhood grid. Additionally, odd numbers shall appear on the left side and even numbers on the right side of streets as you travel away from the beginning point of the respective neighborhood grid.
b. Blocks. A street address will include a one- or two-digit block number and a two-digit building number. Block numbers and building numbers will increase consecutively as you travel away from the beginning point of the respective neighborhood grid.
c. Alphanumeric and Fractional Addresses. Street addresses shall not contain either alphanumeric or fractional combinations.
d. Streets with Diagonal or Meandering Alignment. Street address numbers shall have a block range opposite to the street it intersects.
e. Streets with Circular Alignment. The number sequence shall start at the intersection nearest the beginning point of the respective neighborhood grid. Street address numbers shall have a block range opposite to the road it intersects.
f. Commercial and Residential Structures. Street address numbers shall reflect the location of vehicular access or as approved by the fire chief or their designee.
g. Alley Access. Commercial premises taking access only from an alley will utilize the street address for the portion of the structure fronting the public way and include a unit number in accordance with subsection (B)(2)(a) of this section.
h. Attached Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU). Attached ADU will use the street address of the primary residence and will include a unit number in accordance with subsection (B)(2)(a) of this section. Directional signage may also be required.
i. Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU). Detached ADUs will use a separate street address from the adjacent residence. Directional signage may also be required.
j. Uninhabited Residential Accessory Structures. Uninhabited residential accessory structures and garages will not have a street address assigned.
k. Manufactured Home Parks. Manufactured home parks will receive a single street address. Residential spaces will receive a unit number in accordance with subsection (B)(2)(b) of this section.
2. Unit Numbers. Unit number designation shall be in accordance with this section.
a. Sequence. A unit number will include a one- or two-digit floor number and a two-digit space number. Floor numbers will coincide with the building story. Space numbers will start with “01.”
Exception:
i. Basement and alley units will utilize a “B” or an “A,” respectively, preceding the unit number.
ii. Parking levels will utilize a “P” preceding the floor level.
b. Manufactured Home Parks. Unit numbers will be a two- or three-digit number. The fire chief or their designee shall approve the sequence. Additional directional signage may be required.
3. Existing Conditions. The fire chief or their designee may require existing address numbers to meet the requirements of this section when the address numbers are inconsistent with this section or when in the opinion of the fire or police chief the existing condition negatively impacts emergency services responsiveness. Address reassignment will be in accordance with BMC 17.30.050(B).
C. Identification. Address identification shall be in accordance with subsections (C)(1) through (C)(5)(b)(iii) of this section.
1. Placement. New and existing buildings shall have address identification placed in an approved position that is plainly legible and visible from the street fronting the property.
a. Remote Location. Where the building cannot be viewed from the public way or named private street, an approved monument, pole, or other sign or means shall be used to provide identification. This method requires that the identification is visible to both directions of travel along the primary street.
b. Complexes. An approved site plan sign shall be conspicuously posted at the main entrance of the complex that denotes building locations and addresses.
c. Rear Entrances. Address identification shall be prominently displayed on rear entrance or access doors when required by the fire chief or their designee.
2. Timing of Installation. Address identification shall be installed upon the start of building or tenant space construction activities and approved permanent identification must be installed prior to occupancy approval. In the case of a reassignment, the address identification shall be installed within five days of the effective date.
3. Style. Address numbers shall be Arabic numbers.
4. Contrast. Address numbers shall have a positive contrast with their background or as approved by the fire chief or their designee. When address numbers are located on clear glazing the numbers shall be white in color.
5. Number Height. Address numbers shall be in accordance with subsections (C)(5)(a) through (C)(5)(b)(iii) of this section.
a. Building Numbers. Exterior building numeral height and stroke shall be in accordance with the minimum requirements of Table 17.30.040(C)(5)(a).
|
Distancea |
Height |
Stroke |
|---|---|---|
|
0' to 50' |
6"b |
1/2" |
|
51' to 100' |
8" |
3/4" |
|
101' to 150' |
10" |
3/4" |
|
151' to 200' |
12" |
1" |
|
Over 200' |
14" |
1" |
aDistance is measured from the face of the building to the centerline of the addressed street.
bOne- and two-family and townhomes are permitted to have a minimum height of four inches.
b. Unit Numbers. Interior and exterior unit numbers shall be in accordance with subsections (C)(5)(b)(i) through (C)(5)(b)(iii).
i. Exterior Identification. Exterior commercial suite identification shall have a minimum height of six inches. Exterior multifamily unit identification shall have a minimum height of three inches.
ii. Interior Identification. Interior suite identification shall have a minimum height of one and one half inches.
iii. Rear Entrances. When required by subsection (C)(1)(c) of this section, identification shall have a minimum height of two inches.
6. Maintenance. The view to all address identification shall remain unobstructed and be maintained in an approved manner.
a. Responsibility. Identification maintenance is the responsibility of the property owner, occupant, or renter.
7. Existing Conditions. The fire chief or their designee may require existing identification or lack thereof to meet the requirements of this chapter when the identification is inconsistent with this chapter or when in the opinion of the fire or police chief the existing condition negatively impacts emergency services responsiveness. Address reassignment will be in accordance with BMC 17.30.050(B). [Ord. 2013-06-044 § 2].