Chapter 2.36
ADDRESSING SYSTEM
Sections:
2.36.080 Immunity to the extent permitted by law.
2.36.010 Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to establish a uniform system for addressing residences, commercial buildings, or other structures in unincorporated Skamania County. (Ord. 1994-08 (part))
2.36.020 Definitions.
Unless specifically defined in this section, words or phrases used in this chapter shall be interpreted so as to give them the meaning they have in common usage and to give this chapter its most reasonable application.
“Address distance” means the distance, for address purposes, from the designated origin of the road. Once defined, this distance will not change, even if the actual distance changes due to road alignment changes.
Address Road. For each addressed site, the “address road” will be the road on which the primary access for that site originates.
“Address site” means residence, commercial building, or other structure that might require emergency services.
“Permanent milepost” means a sign placed along a road showing the distance in miles from that road’s origin to the milepost. Except as indicators of a road origin, mileposts will generally be placed precisely at one mile intervals from the road origin to the end of the road. Generally mileposts will increase from west to east or from south to north.
“Primary access” means the driveway or other access to a given site most likely to be recognized and used, especially by emergency service providers.
“Private road” means any road other than county roads or federal or state routes, as defined in Section 12.01.010 of this code.
“Rural addressing system” means the type of addressing system in which addresses are determined based on their distance from the origin of the road.
“Urban address grid” means addressing system used in the incorporated cities of Skamania County. (Ord. 1994-08 (part))
2.36.030 Rural addresses.
A. Roads. All private and county roads shall be provided with names and identified in the county road index or private road register.
1. A single route will not change names without good reason. For example, a private road extending from the end of a dead-end county road will retain the same name as the county road, and a single road making a turn that will not later become an intersection will not change names at the turn.
2. The county shall strive to avoid duplication of road names.
3. Roads or driveways with two or more address sites or platted lots must be named. Roads serving one lot may be named and addressed as private roads.
4. Where a road, or the projection of a road crosses out of an urban grid boundary, the road name does not change. However the road name outside the urban grid, shall not contain a directional identifier.
5. Each road will have a designated origin. Generally, a road’s origin will be the beginning point of the road as accessed from another road, from major to minor roads, and from proximity to SR 14. These road origins shall be established by the Skamania County Department of Public Works.
B. Site Address. Each site address will consist of an address number followed by a road name. For multi-unit buildings or sites, a unit number may also be used.
1. Address Number. All address numbers will consist of at least two digits.
a. Distance from Road Origin. All digits except the final digit indicate the address distance in hundredths of miles from the origin of the address road to the primary access to the site. If road length changes for any reason, the address distance will correspond to the permanent mileposts rather than the actual distance from the road origin. The distance component of addresses on SR 14 will correspond to the Washington State Department of Transportation mileposts.
b. Final Digit. The final digit will indicate on which side of the road the site is located.
2. Optional Unit Number. Any addressed site which includes multiple apartments, suites, spaces, or other units, may include the appropriate unit number in the address following the road name. The owner of a multi-unit address site will be asked to supply a map or drawing locating each unit adequately for guiding emergency response. Copies of such drawings will be provided to the appropriate emergency response agencies. (Example 511 Loop Road #31)
C. Interagency Coordination.
1. Recognizing that it is in the mutual interest of all jurisdictions to prevent addressing conflicts, municipalities within Skamania County are respectfully requested to notify the Skamania County 9-1-1 coordinator of any address changes or additions.
2. Comments will be requested from all relevant emergency response agencies on any city-county addressing coordination policy before it is implemented. (Ord. 1994-08 (part))
2.36.040 Signing.
A. Roads. All public and private roads in Skamania County which serve addressed sites will be signed in accordance with the standards of the department of public works. Private road signs will identify the road as private.
B. Mileposts. Permanent mileposts will be placed on all county roads. These will indicate distance in miles from the designated road origin. Permanent mileposts will conform to the standards of the Skamania County department of public works.
C. Addresses. The landowner shall ensure that each addressed site is marked with a sign showing the address number. The sign shall be posted in accordance with the standards of the Skamania county department of public works. The sign will have a reflectorized background with contrasting numbers at least two inches high. (Ord. 1994-08 (part))
2.36.050 Private road names.
A. Private road names shall be registered with Skamania County. A private road name will not be registered if its similarity to an existing public or private road is sufficient to confuse emergency response or mail delivery. Signing of an unregistered road name is prohibited.
B. A private road name will not be registered until a reasonable effort has been made to assure that there is no significant opposition to the new name, or that it is acceptable to a majority of its residents and property owners. If there is no available road name which is acceptable to a clear majority of those served by the road, the county may choose a name. (Ord. 1994-08 (part))
2.36.060 Responsibilities.
A. The Skamania County department of public works responsibilities:
1. Assigning of addresses;
2. Providing public information and referral;
3. Coordination with Stevenson and North Bonneville to ensure mutually acceptable and compatible addresses in the vicinities of these municipalities;
4. Installing necessary county road signs;
5. Measuring and installing mileposts and road origin reference points;
6. Naming of county roads;
7. Maintenance of road index;
8. Registration of private road names;
9. Contacting residents to initiate private road naming where appropriate;
10. The Skamania County building department shall require the posting of the site address per standards listed in this chapter as part of the permit process;
11. Emergency response agencies will be notified in a timely manner of all newly registered road names;
12. The Postal Service will be notified in a timely manner of all newly registered road names and temporary or permanent addresses. (Ord. 1994-08 (part))
2.36.070 Appeal.
Any decision by the county or its agents involving road naming or addressing may be appealed. Appeals may be submitted in writing to the board of county commissioners within thirty days of the official notice of address change. (Ord. 1994-08 (part))
2.36.080 Immunity to the extent permitted by law.
Skamania County shall be immune from any and all civil liability for any actions taken pursuant to this chapter, or for any failure to take action to enforce the provisions of this chapter. It is not the purpose or intent of this chapter to create on the part of Skamania County any special duties or relationships with specific individuals. This chapter has been enacted for the welfare of the public as a whole. (Ord. 1994-08 (part))