ARTICLE V. ADDRESS NUMBERING AND STREET NAMING
27-100 Enhanced 911 coordinator appointment.
The city council shall have such authority and responsibility relating to the appointment of the Enhanced 911 (E911) coordinator to serve as the city’s liaison to the Vermont 911 System on all database and mapping maintenance issues, maintain the municipal addressing system, and share information regarding new and revised addresses and street names.
(Ord. of 2-18-20(2))
27-101 Authority to name and number.
The E911 coordinator, subject to the orders and ordinances of the city council and in conformance with State law, the Vermont State E911 standards, and the provisions of this article, shall be authorized to name all newly proposed public and private streets, rename both public and private streets subject to Title III, Article 27 of the City Charter, number and renumber all property parcels, buildings, and units, and direct numbers to be affixed to or inscribed on all dwelling houses and other buildings or parts of buildings fronting on a public or private street, alley, or public place.
(Rev. Ords. 1962, § 4401; Ord. of 2-18-20(2). Formerly 27-100)
27-102 Duty to affix numbers.
It shall be the duty of every owner or occupant to affix such numbers as directed by the E911 coordinator to their parcel, building, unit, or dwelling.
(Rev. Ords. 1962, § 4401; Ord. of 2-18-20(2). Formerly 27-101)
27-103 Form, size, material and manner of affixing numbers.
The E911 coordinator shall determine the form, size and material of numbers, and the mode, place, succession, and order of inscribing and affixing them on houses or other buildings, or property parcels.
(Rev. Ords. 1962, § 4401; Ord. of 2-18-20(2). Formerly 27-102)
27-104 Method of numbering.
Addressing of new streets, and re-addressing of existing streets, shall follow Vermont State E911 standards using a 5.28-foot increment with odd numbers on the left and even numbers on the right. The numbering of parcels, dwellings, and buildings shall proceed continuously from the place of beginning and each number shall be as nearly opposite its alternate as possible.
(a) North and south streets. In all streets running in a north and south direction, the numbering shall commence at the end of such street at or nearest Pearl Street or its continuation and proceed in a direction away from Pearl Street or its continuation. The odd numbers shall be on the west side of all such streets and the even numbers on the east side.
(b) East and west streets. In all streets running in an east and west direction, the numbering shall commence at the west end of such streets. The odd numbers shall be on the south side of all such streets and the even numbers on the north side.
(c) Streets crossing Pearl Street. The names of streets crossing Pearl Street shall be prefixed by the word "South" on the south side of Pearl Street, and by the word “North” on the north side of Pearl Street.
(d) Dead end streets. The numbering of streets which have the same entrance and exit, and cul-de-sacs, shall ascend from their beginning with odd numbers on the left and even numbers on the right.
(e) New north end streets. The numbering of streets accessed from North Avenue, north of Convent Square, shall ascend from their intersections with North Avenue, or from their intersections with streets that lead to North Avenue. Odd numbers shall be on the left and even numbers on the right.
(f) Re-address notification. In the case of re-addressing of an existing street, the E911 coordinator shall notify affected properties in writing of their new addresses thirty (30) days prior to implementation, and provide an opportunity for comment. Such notification may be transferred electronically or by U.S. mail. In addition, the E911 coordinator may also hold public informational meeting(s).
(g) Multi-unit building unit numbering.
(1) Residential units shall be named "Unit" or "Apt."
(2) Commercial, office, and other non-residential use units shall be named "Suite."
(3) Buildings with all unit entrances located on the first floor may be numbered 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, etc. Buildings with no more than 5 units may be numbered 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 regardless of unit entrance location. Otherwise hotel-style unit numbering shall be applied (e.g., units on the first floor in the 100s ascending from 101, units on the second floor numbered in the 200s ascending from 201, and so forth to the top floor).
(4) Units numbered with letters, fractions, and decimals are prohibited.
(5) Street address numbering may be applied in lieu of unit numbering to first floor unit entrances at the discretion of the E911 coordinator.
(6) Buildings on corner lots shall use the same street name for all units.
(Rev. Ords. 1962, §§ 4402—4405; Ord. of 2-18-20(2))
27-105 Vanity address prohibition.
Any use of building and place names and/or numbers that mimics the city’s E911 street naming and addressing system by using a fictitious, or "vanity," address consisting of a combination of a number, name, and/or place type (e.g., "1 City Square") that has not been assigned by the city and does not otherwise comply with the requirements of this article are prohibited.
(Ord. of 2-18-20(2))
27-106 Penalties.
An owner or occupant of a building or part of a building who shall neglect or refuse for sixty (60) days to affix to the same the number designated by the E911 coordinator, or who shall affix to the same or retain thereon more than one (1) day a number contrary to the direction of the Enhanced 911 coordinator shall be fined as provided by Section 1-9.
(Rev. Ords. 1962, § 4406; Ord. of 2-18-20(2). Formerly 27-108)
27-107 Variance from article permitted.
The E911 coordinator may, on written application, grant a variance from the provisions of this article. A variance from the provisions of this article may be granted if all of the following facts are found and specified in a written decision:
(a) That there are unique circumstances or conditions present that the authorization of a variance is necessary to enable the reasonable addressing of property;
(b) No unnecessary hardship has been created by the applicant; and
(c) That the variance, if authorized, will represent the minimum variance necessary that will afford relief and will represent the least deviation possible from the provisions of this article.
The E911 coordinator shall give written notice of their decision to all interested parties no later than thirty (30) days after receipt of an application for a variance. In rendering a decision in favor of an applicant, the E911 coordinator may attach such conditions as are considered necessary and appropriate under the circumstances to implement the purposes of this article.
(Rev. Ords. 1962, § 4401; Ord. of 2-18-20(2). Formerly 27-103)
27-108 Appeals.
(a) Any owner of parcels, dwellings, or buildings, or any other interested person, may appeal an action or failure to act by the E911 coordinator. A written notice of appeal shall be filed with the office of the city attorney within fourteen (14) calendar days of receiving the actual notice of the order or action complained of, and shall set forth in detail the grievances of the appellant.
(b) The city council’s license committee shall meet within forty-five (45) days of the filing of the notice of appeal. All hearings shall be public, and all interested parties shall be given an opportunity to be heard and to present evidence and arguments.
(c) The city council’s license committee shall give written notice of its decision to all interested parties no later than thirty (30) days after the close of the hearing. The decision of the city council’s license committee shall be final.
(Ord. of 2-18-20(2))