Chapter 13.270
BUILDING ADDRESSES
Sections:
13.270.010 Delegation of authority.
13.270.020 Criteria for assignment of addresses.
13.270.030 Address reassignments.
13.270.050 Official address map.
13.270.070 Installation and maintenance of address numbers.
13.270.080 Violations and enforcement.
13.270.010 Delegation of authority.
The Public Works Director or designee, hereinafter called the Director, is granted the authority to assign building addresses in conformance with the grid system established by King County. The assignment of addresses for buildings shall normally occur in conjunction with the issuance of building permits or in conjunction with subdivision approvals. This chapter shall not apply to properties under the permitting authority of the Port of Seattle, pursuant to the January 1, 2000, interlocal agreement between the City and the Port of Seattle. (Ord. 04-1008 § 3)
13.270.020 Criteria for assignment of addresses.
The Director shall assign building addresses in a manner consistent with the King County grid system and with consideration of the factors set forth below.
A. The building address numbers on parallel streets shall be comparable and shall progress in the same direction.
B. Building numbering shall be consecutive.
C. Building numbering shall allow for expansion to accommodate future buildings on a parcel or within the area if space for, or possibility of, expansion exists.
D. Even numbers shall be used on the north side of streets extending in a westerly and easterly direction and on the east side of avenues extending in a northerly and southerly direction.
E. Odd numbers shall be used on the south side of streets extending in a westerly and easterly direction and on the west side of avenues extending in a northerly and southerly direction.
F. Addresses shall be assigned whole numbers only.
G. Buildings located on corner lots shall be addressed from the street upon which the main entrance fronts.
H. Duplexes shall be assigned a separate address number for each of the two (2) entrances to the building.
I. Group and multifamily housing shall be assigned an address number where the main driveway joins the street and the said number shall be the address for all of the structures and units which face the interior court or parking area and each structure and unit shall then be issued a letter and sub-number, respectively.
J. Auxiliary and accessory buildings shall not be assigned a separate address number, unless cause be found by the Director.
K. Large cul-de-sacs shall be treated as one (1) street with odd numbers assigned to buildings on the outside of the circle and even numbers assigned to buildings on the inside of the circle. Within small cul-de-sacs of not more than three (3) lots, address numbering shall be carried forward from the adjacent side of the main street. (Ord. 04-1008 § 3)
13.270.030 Address reassignments.
In determining any need for reassignment of a building address, the Director shall consider consistency with the King County grid system, the impact on existing commercial and residential buildings and owners, and the responsiveness of emergency services. Notice of any intent to effect a reassignment shall be mailed by the Director to all property owners affected at least sixty (60) days prior to the intended effective date of the reassignment, and a notice shall similarly be published in the official newspaper. (Ord. 04-1008 § 3)
13.270.040 Notification.
The Director shall cause notice of all building address assignments and reassignments to be provided to the City Fire Department, Police Department, GIS, and other affected departments, together with notice to appropriate King County agencies, specifically including the E-911 administrator. (Ord. 04-1008 § 3)
13.270.050 Official address map.
All addresses within the City shall be depicted with approved numeric assignments on a map produced by the City’s geographic information system (GIS) which shall constitute the official address map of the City. (Ord. 04-1008 § 3)
13.270.060 Appeals.
Any party aggrieved by the assignment or reassignment of a building address may appeal such final action as an appeal from an administrative decision pursuant to SMC 1.20.110. (Ord. 04-1008 § 3)
13.270.070 Installation and maintenance of address numbers.
A. The owner or occupant of a building which has been assigned an address shall install and maintain the address number at a conspicuous location over or near the principal entrance or entrances.
B. If the entrance or entrances cannot be easily seen from the frontage street, the address numbers shall be placed in another conspicuous location on the building or on a sign or other structure at a location which is clearly visible and, unless impractical, at a distance no greater than twenty (20) feet from the frontage street.
C. The address numbers shall consist of easily recognizable numerals, shall be not less than three (3) inches in height if the building is a single-family dwelling or if the address is for individual dwelling units in a multifamily residential building, and not less than five (5) inches in height if the building is a commercial use, and the numbers shall contrast with the color of the structure upon which they are placed.
D. If possible, the address numbers shall be displayed in a lighted area.
E. The display of address numbers may constitute a directional or informational sign, as those terms are used in the City Sign Code at Chapter 15.600 SMC, and nothing herein shall be deemed to permit an exception, exemption, or variance from the said chapter. (Ord. 16-1007 § 15; Ord. 04-1008 § 3)
13.270.080 Violations and enforcement.
A. Failure of an owner or occupant of a building to install and maintain the display of address numbers as required by this chapter shall subject the said owner or occupant to the procedures and penalties set forth in Chapter 1.15 SMC as presently existing or as may be subsequently amended.
B. Intentional display, advertisement, or use of an address not assigned by the Director pursuant to this chapter shall constitute a violation of a city ordinance, and upon conviction shall be punished by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000) or imprisonment for a term not to exceed ninety (90) days, or both. The City shall have full authority to also abate and remove any unofficial or altered street sign. (Ord. 04-1008 § 3)