Chapter 12.20
STREET NAMING AND ADDRESS DESIGNATION
Sections:
12.20.010 Purpose and applicability.
12.20.020 Administration and authority.
12.20.030 Streets and avenues – Lesser streets – Alleys.
12.20.040 Name of street or avenue to run from boundary to boundary.
12.20.060 Requests for deviation from literal compliance.
12.20.070 Naming policy for new or unnamed streets.
12.20.080 City-initiated street name and address designation changes.
12.20.090 City council selection or change of street name.
12.20.100 Baseline streets designated.
12.20.110 Assignment of address – Even or odd.
12.20.120 Assignment of address – Rate per block.
12.20.130 Assignment of address – Directional indicators.
12.20.140 Assignment of address – Proration of distances.
12.20.150 Assignment of address – Curved streets.
12.20.160 Assignment of address – Driveway as reference.
12.20.170 Assignment of address – Alleys – Driveways – Cul-de-sacs.
12.20.180 Assignment of address – Multi-unit buildings.
12.20.190 Assignment of address – Manufactured home/RV parks.
12.20.200 Multi-unit addresses – Floor plans/maps.
12.20.010 Purpose and applicability.
The purpose of this chapter is to establish a uniform method for naming streets and designating addresses within the city limits of Sequim as a component of the 911 emergency response system. Uniform street names and addresses benefit residents, businesses, and visitors, and expedite response time for fire, medical, law enforcement, and other emergency services.
This chapter applies to all property and to all public and private streets in the city of Sequim. For convenience, in this chapter “street” may be used to reference all types of roadways. (Ord. 2023-004 § 1 (Exh. A))
12.20.020 Administration and authority.
This chapter is administered by the director of the department of community development or designee in coordination with Peninsula Communications (PenCom 911).
The director or designee is empowered to promote street name and address continuity and to take all lawful action to cure or fix the problem of street names or address designations not meeting the criteria of this chapter.
The director or the director’s designee may grant minor deviations in instances where the deviation will not significantly curtail any purpose of this chapter. (Ord. 2023-004 § 1 (Exh. A))
12.20.030 Streets and avenues – Lesser streets – Alleys.
All public streets running north and south through the city, exclusive of alleys, must be designated avenues and include “avenue” in their names. All streets running east and west through the city, exclusive of alleys, must be designated streets and include “street” in their names.
Lesser streets including private streets may include in their names such designations as the city allows, including but not limited to “lane,” “place,” “court,” “circle,” etc. (Ord. 2023-004 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 36 § 1, 1915. Formerly 12.20.010)
12.20.040 Name of street or avenue to run from boundary to boundary.
For purposes of uniformity and convenience to the public, streets and avenues must bear a single name clear through from boundary to boundary. (Ord. 2023-004 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 36 § 2, 1915. Formerly 12.20.020)
12.20.050 Exceptions.
Public and private alleys, driveways, and cul-de-sacs that provide access to five or fewer residential units do not require names. (Ord. 2023-004 § 1 (Exh. A))
12.20.060 Requests for deviation from literal compliance.
Applicants or petitioners seeking to name a street may request minor deviations from the naming conventions in this chapter by submitting a written request describing the basis for the request to the director of the department of community development or by including the request in a permit application. (Ord. 2023-004 § 1 (Exh. A))
12.20.070 Naming policy for new or unnamed streets.
Any new street, or newly named existing street, established within the city of Sequim, whether public or private, requires a street name that is approved by the director of the department of community development or designee in coordination with Peninsula Communications (PenCom 911).
In selecting or permitting street names, consideration must be given to the following:
A. The requirements of SMC 12.20.030.
B. The directional indicators (north, south, east, west, etc.) as determined by:
1. The division between north and south is defined by an east-west line through Washington Street.
2. The division between east and west is defined by a north-south line through Sequim Avenue.
C. Streets that do not have a definite directional course from boundary to boundary of the city should not include “street” or “avenue” in their name. Designations such as “court,” “lane,” “drive,” “road,” “place,” “way,” “circle,” “loop,” “boulevard,” or “parkway” are preferred.
1. Court (Ct): A cul-de-sac of eight lots or less that is not interrupted by a through street.
2. Lane (Ln): A cul-de-sac of nine or more lots that is not interrupted by a through street.
3. Drive (Dr): A curvilinear street of more than 1,000 feet in length.
4. Road (Rd): A diagonal street more than 1,000 feet in length.
5. Place (Pl): A short curvilinear or diagonal street less than 1,000 feet in length.
6. Way (Way): A short curvilinear or diagonal street less than 1,000 feet in length.
7. Circle (Cir): A street that circles back upon itself but has more than one ingress/egress.
8. Loop (Loop): A street that has ingress and egress on the same street.
9. Boulevard (Blvd): A street with its ways of travel separated by a barrier, such as a landscaping strip. If the divided pavement ends, but the street continues, the same street name and suffix must continue.
10. Parkway (Pkwy): A street abutting a park, greenway, or conservation area where zoning or topography would prohibit development on at least one side of the street.
D. No street name can be used more than once within the city limits, and the director may prohibit use of a street name within the city limits that is the same as, or similar to, a name outside the city limits.
E. Street names are limited to 30 characters or fewer and should not include punctuation such as apostrophes.
F. Like-sounding street names are not allowed, e.g., “Mary” and “Merry.”
G. Streets that do not have the characteristics of a loop, circle, court, boulevard, etc., as described herein must not contain those words in their names.
H. Street names should not contain a directional indicator as part of the name itself, e.g., “N. East Beach Road.”
I. Controversial or disputed street names may be prohibited or allowed, in the discretion of the director, who may submit the issue to the planning commission for its recommendation before making the decision. (Ord. 2023-004 § 1 (Exh. A))
12.20.080 City-initiated street name and address designation changes.
Street name and address designation changes may be initiated by the department of community development when the current name or address fails to meet the criteria in this chapter. The department will work in cooperation with Peninsula Communications (PenCom 911), the United States Postal Service, and other city departments in making changes.
The director or designee will provide written notice of the proposed action to all persons owning property on the way of travel in question, and all tenants affected or impacted by the proposed action, via U.S. mail to the addresses shown on current tax records, or by other appropriate means.
The department’s notice will include the new street name or address and the basis for the change.
Affected property owners and tenants will have 30 calendar days from the date of the notice to object in writing to the changed street name or address.
The department may consider input received in response to the notice and may, in its sole discretion, revise the proposed name or address or proceed with the city’s selection.
After approval of the new name or address, the department will issue another written notice to all property owners and tenants affected or impacted with the new name or address and, if necessary, instructions for owners on private or unmaintained public streets regarding installation of new signage. Owners of private or unnamed streets must replace the new signs at the owner’s sole expense.
Signs containing the new street name or address must be installed within 30 calendar days of notice. (Ord. 2023-004 § 1 (Exh. A))
12.20.090 City council selection or change of street name.
The city council may by resolution name or rename a street. (Ord. 2023-004 § 1 (Exh. A))
12.20.100 Baseline streets designated.
The baseline for north-south streets is an east-west line passing through Washington Street at Sequim Avenue. The baseline for east-west streets is a north-south line passing through Sequim Avenue at Washington Street, as shown on the map in SMC 12.20.070(B). These baselines begin with the 100 block in each direction. (Ord. 2023-004 § 1 (Exh. A))
12.20.110 Assignment of address – Even or odd.
Even numbers will be on the north and east sides of the street, odd numbers on the south and west side of the street. Fractional numbers are not allowed for any address. (Ord. 2023-004 § 1 (Exh. A))
12.20.120 Assignment of address – Rate per block.
Addresses increase at a rate of 100 per block away from the above baselines. Permanent blocks are defined on the official city map and will not change with future street construction. Numbers are assigned within each block with sufficient spacing to allow for additional development. (Ord. 2023-004 § 1 (Exh. A))
12.20.130 Assignment of address – Directional indicators.
Each street and avenue will include a directional indicator of north, south, east, or west preceding the street name to identify the direction of increasing numbers. (Ord. 2023-004 § 1 (Exh. A))
12.20.140 Assignment of address – Proration of distances.
Unless preexisting patterns dictate otherwise, addresses will be proportionally prorated within each block based on the location of the front entrance to the building. The 1000 block of North Sequim Avenue will be stretched to allow address numbers to integrate with the mileage-based rural addresses within one-tenth of a mile north of the Sequim Address Grid Boundary. (Ord. 2023-004 § 1 (Exh. A))
12.20.150 Assignment of address – Curved streets.
A street that curves or angles will be addressed as an east-west street or as a north-south street, whichever fits best. Blocks on such streets will be stretched as necessary to follow the mapped grid, corresponding to the nearest blocks on the adjacent streets. On such streets, address numbers within each block will be calculated relative to the distance along the street rather than to the position on the map grid. (Ord. 2023-004 § 1 (Exh. A))
12.20.160 Assignment of address – Driveway as reference.
If the building location is such that the driveway would be a more functional reference point for addressing, the address may instead be based on the intersection of the driveway and the street. (Ord. 2023-004 § 1 (Exh. A))
12.20.170 Assignment of address – Alleys – Driveways – Cul-de-sacs.
Unnamed public and private alleys, driveways, and cul-de-sacs that provide access to five or fewer residential units will be assigned numbers off the street from which the alley, driveway, or cul-de-sac originates. (Ord. 2023-004 § 1 (Exh. A))
12.20.180 Assignment of address – Multi-unit buildings.
Each dwelling of a duplex will be assigned a separate numbered address.
Each building with three or more dwelling units will be assigned a numbered address, and each dwelling unit assigned a unit number or letter. Units may be designated as “apartment,” “unit,” “suite,” or other appropriate designator. Each building will post the address number. Each unit will post the unit number or letter. Unit numbers or letters will be after the street name in an address (i.e., 101 Sample Street, Suite E, Sequim WA 98382). (Ord. 2023-004 § 1 (Exh. A))
12.20.190 Assignment of address – Manufactured home/RV parks.
Private roadways within the complex may be named, with each site addressed in the same manner as a separate building would be addressed. As an alternative, the complex may be addressed at its entrance with each manufactured home or RV site assigned a unit number or letter. Each manufactured home and RV site will post the address number or unit designation. Unit numbers or letters will be after the street name in an address (i.e., 101 Sample Way, Space E, Sequim WA 98382). (Ord. 2023-004 § 1 (Exh. A))
12.20.200 Multi-unit addresses – Floor plans/maps.
The owner of a multi-unit address site must post a site map in a conspicuous location approved in advance by the fire code official, showing the location of each unit adequately for guiding emergency response. The owner of a multi-unit address site must supply a site map to the department of community development. The city will supply a copy of the site map to Peninsula Communications (PenCom 911) and the Fire District. (Ord. 2023-004 § 1 (Exh. A))
12.20.210 Appeals.
Appeals of any administrative decision or action taken under this chapter may be made to the hearing examiner pursuant to Chapter 2.10 SMC. (Ord. 2023-004 § 1 (Exh. A))
12.20.220 Enforcement.
Violations of this chapter are enforced pursuant to Chapter 1.13 SMC (Code Enforcement). (Ord. 2023-004 § 1 (Exh. A))