Chapter 11.18
ADDRESSING
Sections:
11.18.015 POWERS AND DUTIES OF DEPARTMENT.
11.18.040 DESIGNATION OF WAY OF TRAVEL.
11.18.050 COMPLIANCE WITH ADOPTED CODES.
11.18.060 NUMERICAL DESIGNATION OF BUILDINGS AND REAL PROPERTY.
11.18.070 DENOTING OF WAYS OF TRAVEL (STREET NAMING).
11.18.090 DISPLAY OF DESIGNATIONS.
11.18.010 PURPOSE.
This chapter provides the procedures and guidelines for regulating addressing within the City of Bremerton. (Ord. 5171 §1 (part), 2011)
11.18.015 POWERS AND DUTIES OF DEPARTMENT.
(a) The City Engineer, or his or her designee, is authorized and empowered to assign and/or change numerical address designations of buildings and real property.
(b) New addresses shall be assigned in conjunction with an approved building permit and/or during the plat approval process.
(c) Public street names shall be established during the plat approval process or by a resolution adopted by the City Council. Private street names shall be established and approved by the City Engineer in accordance with this chapter.
(d) The City Engineer, or his or her designee, is authorized to administer and implement the provisions of this chapter and develop policies and procedures necessary to ensure the proper implementation of these provisions.
(e) The City Engineer, or his or her designee, is authorized and empowered to designate streets if determined to be in the interest of public safety. If there are multiple segments or branches of a street, it will be at the City Engineer’s discretion, in cooperation with Cencom, as to the number of street names assigned.
(f) The processing fees for assignment of new addresses and petitions for street naming shall be in accordance with BMC 3.01.010 (Public Works and Utilities - Rate Table G).
(g) The City Engineer, or his or her designee, is authorized and empowered to deviate from the addressing criteria established by this chapter for the designation of streets and the addressing of property as deemed necessary for public safety purposes. (Ord. 5171 §1 (part), 2011)
11.18.020 ADDRESS GRID MAP.
This chapter recognizes the Kitsap County Official Addressing Map and the mapping grid established by City Ordinance No. 837, dated June 1, 1928. The maps will be utilized as a guide for assigning addresses within the City of Bremerton. (Ord. 5171 §1 (part), 2011)
11.18.030 DEFINITIONS.
Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the following terms shall be defined as follows:
(a) "Address" means the appropriate combination of address number (numerical designation), directional prefix or suffix, street name, and street type, e.g., 2300 E. 11th Street.
(b) "Address grid system" means the theoretical network established by Kitsap County and as modified for the 1928 address grid map as established per the City of Bremerton Ordinance No. 837 which is a theoretical network of uniformly spaced horizontal and perpendicular lines used to establish regularly spaced intervals as the basis for assigning address numbers.
(c) "Avenue" means a way of travel that runs generally north and south.
(d) "Boulevard" means a way of travel where the lanes of travel are separated, for example, by a barrier, landscaped area, or similar divider.
(e) "Circle" means a small, loop-type way of travel where exit and entry are the same.
(f) "Commercial occupancies," for addressing purposes, means all other occupancy groups not defined as residential occupancies. (Typically constructed in accordance with the International Building Code, for example, commercial occupancies would include: retail stores, office buildings, multifamily residential buildings, hotels, hospitals, schools, warehouses, storage buildings, churches, etc.)
(g) "Court" means a way of travel, which runs generally east and west and ends in a cul-de-sac.
(h) "Cul-de-sac" means a way of travel that dead-ends with provisions for turning around large emergency and public utility vehicles.
(i) "Department" means the City of Bremerton Engineering Division within the Public Works and Utilities Department.
(j) "Drive" means an irregular or diagonal way of travel.
(k) "Group R occupancies," for addressing purposes, means all occupancies classified as Group R in accordance with the International Building Code as adopted by the City of Bremerton as well as all "residential occupancies" as defined herein.
(l) "Group U occupancies," for addressing purposes, means all occupancies classified as Group U in accordance with the International Building Code as adopted by the City of Bremerton, as well as residential accessory buildings such as outbuildings, detached private garages, sheds and carports constructed in accordance with the International Residential Code.
(m) "Lane" means a way of travel which is usually on private property or road tract and which is generally maintained with private funds.
(n) "Loop" means a way of travel that has two (2) exits or entrances originating from the same way of travel.
(o) "Place" means a way of travel that runs generally north and south and that is generally parallel to, but shorter than, an avenue and ends in a cul-de-sac.
(p) "Private street or road" means a street or road that is on private property and which is maintained with private funds.
(q) "Residential occupancies," for addressing purposes, means detached one (1) and two (2) family dwellings and multiple single-family dwellings (townhouses) not more than three (3) stories in height with a separate means of egress, and typically constructed in accordance with the International Residential Code.
(r) "Road" means a way of travel that has been designated as a road or which is an extension of an existing road.
(s) "Street" means a way of travel that runs generally east and west.
(t) "Way" means a way of travel that runs generally east and west which is generally parallel to, but shorter than, a street.
(u) "Way of travel" means a roadway of any definition, including, but not limited to, avenues, boulevards, circles, courts, drives, loops, places, lanes, roads, streets, and ways, which is capable of carrying vehicular traffic.
(v) "Street name sign" means a sign designating the name of a way of travel. (Ord. 5171 §1 (part), 2011)
11.18.040 DESIGNATION OF WAY OF TRAVEL.
(a) Ways of travel running generally and predominantly east and west shall have a numerical designation or a designated name for the entire way of travel in which they are situated when initially named. These shall generally have a street type designated as "Street."
(b) Ways of travel running generally and predominantly east and west but are not a continuation of an existing numbered street may be designated by a name for the entire way of travel.
(c) Ways of travel running generally and predominantly north and south shall be designated by a name for the entire way of travel in which they are situated when initially named. These shall generally have a street type designated as "Avenue."
(d) For annexed areas, the names shall remain the same except when deemed necessary to be changed by the City of Bremerton for clarification for public safety purposes.
(e) Ways of travel shall be designated by a name in accordance with BMC 11.18.070. (Ord. 5171 §1 (part), 2011)
11.18.050 COMPLIANCE WITH ADOPTED CODES.
This chapter shall comply with Section 505 of the International Fire Code as amended by BMC 18.02.060. (Ord. 5171 §1 (part), 2011)
11.18.060 NUMERICAL DESIGNATION OF BUILDINGS AND REAL PROPERTY.
(a) Buildings with an occupancy classification other than Group U shall be designated numerically. For measurement purposes in determining the numerical designation, the location of the main entrance to the property on which the building is situated or unimproved real property shall be used.
(b) Buildings with an occupancy classification of Group U, or buildings accessory to those that are numerically designated, may be designated numerically at the discretion of the director provided appropriate justification can be established indicating the need for a separate numerical designation.
(c) Buildings with multiple tenant spaces, suites or dwelling units shall receive one (1) numerical designation per building.
(d) Community or public facilities without structures, such as parks and utilities, shall also receive numerical designations.
Exceptions:
(1) Mini-storage complexes may have one (1) address for multiple buildings provided each building is designated with the numerical designation of the complex as well as the individual unit designation and the site plan showing all building and unit designations is submitted to and approved by the Engineering Division and Fire Department.
(2) Residential duplexes and triplexes shall have separate numerical designations unless there are not enough numerical designations then each will have a unit number.
(3) Residential units (such as townhouses) with zero lot lines and separate outside entrances under separate ownership shall have individual numerical designations.
(4) Portable classrooms and temporary structures shall use the main building address unless separate addresses are required by the Fire Department.
(e) Numerical designations shall be assigned based on the geographic direction of the way of travel, as determined by observing its overall length and noting its general or predominant direction as follows:
(1) Even numerical designations shall be assigned to the north and east sides of ways of travel and odd numerical designations shall be assigned to the south and west sides of ways of travel.
(2) The numbering for north and south running streets shall begin at 1st Street and the extension thereof. Numbers north of 1st Street shall begin with the one hundred (100) block and get larger as they go north. Numbers south of 1st Street shall begin with the one hundred (100) block and get larger as they go south. Note: see grid map adopted by City Ordinance No. 837, in 1928.
(3) The numbering for the east and west running streets shall begin at the point at east side of the Port Washington Narrows and begin with the one hundred (100) block and get larger away from the Narrows as they proceed in each east or west direction. Note: see grid map adopted by City Ordinance No. 837, in 1928.
(4) The numbering for areas annexed after 1977 shall remain the same provided they may be changed by the City of Bremerton for clarification for public safety purposes.
(f) From the point of origin, when possible, even and odd numerical designations shall be assigned sequentially and opposite one another for the entire way of travel in which they are situated when initially named.
Exceptions:
(1) Buildings and real property situated on a circle, court, or loop shall be numbered consecutively beginning at the point of origin and proceeding progressively around such circle, court or loop in a clockwise direction.
(2) Where there is a clear dividing line at the closed end, one (1) side may be even and the other side odd numbers.
(g) Buildings with multiple tenant spaces, suites or dwelling units shall have the suites/units further identified with suite, unit or apartment numbers. Assignment of suite or apartment numbers of commercial occupancies shall be from left to right facing the buildings or units. All suite, apartment or unit numbers shall use "100" numbers for units located on the first floor of buildings, "200" numbers for units located on the second floor, "300" numbers for units on the third floor, and continue likewise for successive floors. Suite, unit or apartment numbers on floor levels below the first floor (sub-grade levels) shall use the letter "S" preceding the suite/unit numbers. For example, on the floor level immediately below the first floor, "S100" numbers shall be used. The next floor level down shall use "S200" numbers and continue likewise for successive sub-grade or basement levels.
(1) Multi-unit commercial occupancies, other than Group R, shall have suite/unit numbers in ten (10) number increments, whenever possible, to ensure adequate opportunity for future changes to be numbered in correct order.
(2) Multi-unit commercial occupancies with Group R units shall have suite/unit numbers consecutively. For example, a multi-unit Group R building would have suite/units 100, 101, 102, 103 on the first floor, suite/units 200, 201, 202, 203 on the second floor, etc. A multi-unit Group R building with interior access corridors may use consecutive even and odd numbers on opposite sides of the corridor. Suite/unit numbers of different floors, whenever possible, shall be "stacked"; for example, unit 112 should be directly below unit 212, which would be directly below unit 312, etc.
(h) Commercial tenant spaces, suites, or dwelling units that open directly to the face of the building shall each have a separate whole numerical designation whenever possible.
(i) The Department is authorized to take all lawful action to change the address numbers of parcels or units that do not meet the criteria of this chapter. Address numbers will be changed primarily for public safety reasons to ensure that adequate emergency services can be directed to the address.
Address numbers may be changed for the following reasons:
(1) When duplicate address numbers are present.
(2) When an odd numbered address is located among even numbered addresses or when an even numbered address is located among odd numbered addresses.
(3) In the event the address number is not consistent with the adjacent addresses (i.e., 911 Burwell is located between 901 and 905 Burwell).
(4) In the event that the address does not match the proper block number as required by the street grid map (i.e., 1100 Burwell is located on the 1400 block of Burwell).
(j) The Department is authorized to take all lawful action to make address changes to addresses that do not meet the criteria of this chapter provided all of the following procedures are followed:
(1) A notice of intent to change the address number shall be sent via U.S. mail to the property owner and other interested parties. This may include the Post Office, Cencom, and the Fire Department.
(2) All notified parties shall have thirty (30) days to respond to the Department in writing with any comments on the proposed action. These comments may be considered prior to making an administrative decision.
(3) If it is determined that the address number should be changed, a notice of administrative decision to change the address number will be sent via U.S. mail to all persons impacted by the proposed action.
(4) Appeal of the administrative decision may be made to the Administrative Hearing Examiner in writing within thirty (30) days following the issuance of the notice of decision in accordance with BMC 2.13.090.
(5) When the process is complete, notice will be provided to each parcel owner notifying them of the new address number assignment. The parcel owners shall have the new address numbers posted within thirty (30) days. (Ord. 5171 §1 (part), 2011)
11.18.070 DENOTING OF WAYS OF TRAVEL (STREET NAMING).
(a) Ways of travel may be named when they serve a minimum of three (3) or more parcels, or three (3) or more buildings with an occupancy group other than Group U. Requests for street names shall be petitioned to, and approved by, the Department. The street name is the principal identifying component of a full street name, which in most cases should uniquely distinguish a street from all others. In addition to emergency response, addresses are used to record the location of events and objects in databases throughout the County. It is important that street names be easy to input correctly. The following street name criteria reflect that need as well as the needs of emergency response:
(1) No street name shall be used more than once. For example, two (2) streets may not be named Cedar even if they have different street types.
(2) Street names shall not sound alike. For example, two (2) streets may not be named Stephen and Steven.
(3) Names that tend to be mispronounced or misspelled shall not be used. For example, names like Javelina, Weimaraner, and Perseverance are either hard to spell or pronounce and would be subject to increased scrutiny during the name review process.
(4) Street names should be limited to thirteen (13) characters or less.
(5) Two (2) word names that sound like one (1) word names, or one (1) word names that sound like two (2) word names, shall not be used. For example, names like Clearlake, Clear Lake, and Baytree would not be acceptable.
(6) Names that include directional words such as North, South, East, or West shall be avoided. For example, North East Beach would not be acceptable.
(7) Names that include punctuation shall be used without the punctuation. For example, George’s Road would be approved as NW Georges Road.
(8) No segment of any street shall have more than one (1) name. For example, Riddell Road on one (1) side of the street and Riddell Road NW on the other side of the street.
(9) The Department shall promote street name continuity. For example, a private or unmaintained City or County street extending from the end of a dead-end City or County maintained street shall retain the same name as the City or County street.
(10) Street names shall not include any of the road types listed in BMC 11.18.030, Definitions. For example, Mountain Loop Road would not be an acceptable name.
(b) Street name changes may be initiated by the City of Bremerton when the street name fails to meet the criteria in subsection (a) of this section. The Department shall work in cooperation with Cencom and other Departments in making changes. Except as detailed in this section, existing street names shall not be required to meet the criteria of this chapter.
(c) The Department is authorized to take all lawful action to change a street name that does not meet the criteria of this chapter provided all of the following procedures are followed:
(1) A notice of intent to change the street name shall be sent via U.S. mail to all persons impacted by the proposed action. This may include the owners of properties which are currently addressed on that street, the Post Office, Cencom, and the Fire Department.
(2) All notified parties shall have thirty (30) days to respond to the Department in writing with any comments on the proposed action. These comments shall be considered prior to making an administrative decision.
(3) If it is determined that the street name should be changed, a notice of administrative decision to change the street name will be sent via U.S. mail to all persons impacted by the proposed action.
(4) Appeal of the administrative decision may be made to the Administrative Hearing Examiner in writing within thirty (30) days following the issuance of the notice of decision in accordance with BMC 2.13.090.
(5) When the street naming process is complete, notice shall be provided to each parcel owner notifying them of the new street name. The parcel owners on private or unmaintained streets shall post new road signs within thirty (30) days.
(d) All new or replaced road name signs shall be constructed and placed pursuant to the City of Bremerton public works sign standards. Costs and maintenance of any road signs for a private or unmaintained street shall be the sole responsibility of the parcel owners on said street. (Ord. 5171 §1 (part), 2011)
11.18.090 DISPLAY OF DESIGNATIONS.
(a) The owner, occupant, tenant, lessee or any other person or entity having an interest in any addressed building shall conspicuously display the numerical designation assigned to such building. The numerical designation shall be easily legible with numerals displayed upon a contrasting background, for example, black on white, or white on blue, etc. Whenever possible, numerical designations should not be placed on window glazing.
(1) New and existing buildings shall have approved address numbers, building numbers or approved building identification placed in a position that is plainly legible and visible from the street or road fronting the property. These numbers shall contrast with their background. Address numbers shall be Arabic numbers or alphabetical letters. Numbers shall be a minimum of four (4) inches high with a minimum stroke width of one-half (0.5) inch. Where access is by means of a private road and the building cannot be viewed from the public way, a monument, pole or other sign or means shall be used to identify the structure.
(2) Housing developments which contain one hundred (100) or more dwelling units which alley ways are or may be used for access to dwelling units shall have four (4) inch high minimum house numbers including street designation included. The street designation may be a smaller size, but no less than two (2) inches in size.
(3) Address numbers for commercial buildings shall be twelve (12) inches high and contrast with the background. Individual unit/suite or space numbers or letters shall be six (6) inches high, contrasting with the background, and visible from the approach side or angle.
(b) Premises Identification. Approved numbers or address shall be posted for all new and existing buildings in such a position, facing the way of travel, as to be plainly visible and legible from the street or road fronting the property. If the numerical designation of the building is not clearly visible from a named way of travel, the numerical designation shall also be displayed near the main entrance to the property and the driveway entrance upon which the building is situated. During the construction of buildings, the numerical designation shall be posted at the premises prior to requesting any Department inspections. (Ord. 5171 §1 (part), 2011)
11.18.100 ENFORCEMENT.
The City Engineer or City Code Enforcement Officer is authorized to enforce this chapter, in accordance with Chapter 1.04 BMC. (Ord. 5171 §1 (part), 2011)