Chapter 12.12
STREET NAMES AND BUILDING NUMBERS
Sections:
12.12.010 Official map adopted – Where filed.
12.12.020 City divided into four districts.
12.12.030 Base lines designated.
12.12.040 Districts designated.
12.12.050 Street designations.
12.12.090 Extension of grid system.
12.12.100 Street and road signs – New.
12.12.110 Street and road signs – Replaced.
12.12.120 City engineer responsible for map maintenance.
12.12.150 Undeveloped property.
12.12.160 Violation – Misdemeanor.
Prior legislation: Ord. 560.
12.12.010 Official map adopted – Where filed.
The official map establishes base lines, divides the city into four districts, and sets forth a grid numbering system. This map, together with any amendments thereto, shall be on file at the office of the city clerk-treasurer and is by this reference made a part of this chapter. [Ord. 89-10 § 1, 1989].
12.12.020 City divided into four districts.
The city shall be divided into four districts as determined by the base lines. All addresses shall be suffixed by the name of the quadrant in which they are located. Base lines, described in CRMC 12.12.030, are depicted on the official map. [Ord. 89-10 § 2, 1989].
12.12.030 Base lines designated.
Base lines are depicted as follows:
A. The north-south base line runs south along Huntington Avenue from the intersection of I-5 and Huntington Avenue, and runs north along I-5 from the intersection of Huntington Avenue and I‑5.
B. The east-west base line runs east along Cowlitz Avenue from the east bank of the Cowlitz River and west from the east bank to the intersection of the west bank of the Cowlitz River and A Street and from there west along A Street.
C. Numbers will increase as distance from divider increases. [Ord. 89-10 § 3, 1989].
12.12.040 Districts designated.
Districts are described as follows:
A. NE – Northeast: that portion of the city north of Cowlitz Avenue East and east of Huntington Avenue North and I-5 as applicable;
B. NW – Northwest: that portion of the city north of Cowlitz Avenue West and west of Huntington Avenue North and I-5 as applicable;
C. SE – Southeast: that portion of the city south of Cowlitz Avenue East and east of Huntington Avenue South;
D. SW – Southwest: that portion of the city south of Cowlitz Avenue West and west of Huntington Avenue South;
E. Addresses will not be considered complete without the directional suffix attached to the street name. [Ord. 89-10 § 4, 1989].
12.12.050 Street designations.
The following street designations shall apply to street and road names, streets, road signs and to addresses:
A. “Avenues” shall run north and south.
B. “Streets” shall run east and west.
C. “Boulevard” shall be a major arterial over six blocks in length that does not conform to the grid pattern.
D. “Drive” shall be a lengthy irregular or diagonal street over two grid blocks in length not conforming to the grid pattern.
E. “Court” shall be a cul-de-sac which cannot be extended. Courts are to be named or numbered and, if numbered, carry the number of the preceding street or avenue (in direction of lowest house numbers).
F. “Loops” shall be small loop-type streets to carry the name of the street from which they originate.
G. “Lanes” shall be private streets or streets in a private street subdivision except lanes that are established by this chapter.
H. “Places” shall run east and west between avenues.
I. “Way” shall be an arterial street or roadway, designated for special purposes by the city council to emphasize the destination of a significant geographical location. [Ord. 92-1, 1992; Ord. 89-10 § 5, 1989].
12.12.060 Block designations.
Numerical block designations shall be determined by consulting the official grid map. The grid map indicating block designations shall be prepared at one inch equals 400 feet scale and made available for use at a later date. [Ord. 89-10 § 6, 1989].
12.12.070 Numbering interval.
A. The assignment of a number to a specific property location shall be determined by measuring distances from the block grid lines, or assigned consecutively in courts and the block between Huntington Avenue and Front Street. (See Appendix A, attached to the ordinance codified in this section and on file in the office of the city clerk-treasurer.)
B. A number shall be assigned each space of 10 feet, as measured from the block grid line or assigned consecutively in courts and the block between Huntington Avenue and Front Street.
C. Measurements shall be taken from the grid line to the main entrance of the building or property for the purposes of assigning numbers, except courts and the block between Huntington Avenue and Front Street where numbers are assigned consecutively. [Ord. 89-10 § 7, 1989].
12.12.080 Number assignment.
A. Even numbers shall be assigned to north and east sides of the streets; odd numbers shall be assigned to the south and west sides of streets. Determination of street direction, north-south or east-west, can be decided by observing the overall length of a street and noting its general direction. The even and odd numbers shall be assigned consecutively and opposite one another wherever possible.
B. Short loops or cul-de-sacs shall be numbered consecutively from their point of origin with even numbers on the north and east side and odd numbers on the south and west side.
C. Multiple-dwelling units shall receive one house number; that number shall be determined by the location of the main entrance. Apartment numbers or letters may be used to differentiate individual units within the complex. [Ord. 89-10 § 8, 1989].
12.12.090 Extension of grid system.
The grid system shall be extended at the rate of 10 blocks per mile, or as determined by the grid pattern as shown on the official map. [Ord. 89-10 § 9, 1989].
12.12.100 Street and road signs – New.
All new street and road signs in the city shall display street names, district designations and grid numbers in conformance with the provisions of this chapter. [Ord. 89-10 § 10, 1989].
12.12.110 Street and road signs – Replaced.
All replaced street or road signs erected after July 1, 1989, shall display at least the following two elements of this chapter:
A. Signs shall display the district suffix NW, SW, SE or NE.
B. Signs shall display the grid block number. [Ord. 89-10 § 11, 1989].
12.12.120 City engineer responsible for map maintenance.
The city engineer shall be responsible for the development and maintenance of maps indicating street names and house numbers. The city clerk-treasurer shall maintain a file of existing street names and a catalog of potential street names and be responsible for ensuring that proposed street names are in conformance with this chapter and do not duplicate existing street names. [Ord. 89-10 § 12, 1989].
12.12.130 Address assignment.
The city clerk-treasurer shall be authorized to assign addresses upon request by private and public agencies or in the case of new subdivision plats. [Ord. 89-10 § 13, 1989].
12.12.140 Posting of address.
The city clerk-treasurer shall make house and property number assignments available for addresses; the owner or occupant of any residence, building, structure or place of business, excepting sheds and accessory buildings, opening upon or having access to a street within the city, shall replace their old address with the new assigned address with numbers at least three inches high and in colors contrasting against the background in a conspicuous location upon the main entrance or at the principal place of ingress to such residence, building, structure or place of business and such assigned number shall be readable from the centerline of the adjacent street within three months of adoption of this chapter. [Ord. 89-10 § 14, 1989].
12.12.150 Undeveloped property.
For the purposes of legal descriptions and advertisements (zoning notices, real estate ads, etc.), property should be identified by all the street numbers reserved for the entire frontage though no property numbers will appear on the premises generally. [Ord. 89-10 § 15, 1989].
12.12.160 Violation – Misdemeanor.
Any person knowingly violating any provision of this chapter shall be charged with a misdemeanor. [Ord. 89-10 § 16, 1989].