Mammoth Lakes Municipal Code Ch. 16.08 Street Names and Addresses

(a) This chapter is to enhance the effective and rapid location of properties by public safety personnel, including law enforcement, fire, rescue, and emergency medical services personnel within the geographical area of the Town. This chapter is further designed to eliminate duplicate or phonetically similar street names, to provide for the uniform marking of streets and roadways, and to provide for the assignment of numbers for all properties and buildings throughout the Town. The current inconsistent residential building and street numbering process inhibits these efficient and effective public safety operations. The existing address map was adopted January 1974 with sheets added in August of 1986. Otherwise, the map only been updated as needed and all new/changed streets and address penciled in.

(b) The following are major objectives of this chapter:

(1) To provide property owners and the Town with a convenient, accurate, and systematic means of identifying property.

(2) To name new streets and rename old streets with conflicting or duplicate names in order to provide for efficient emergency services.

(3) To provide a means for expedient emergency response by fire, police, rescue, medical and all other emergency services.

(4) To establish a property location that will serve as an emergency 911 address.

(5) To assist in the proper delivery of utility and other services.

(6) To support the Town's move to enhanced 911.

(Code 1990, § 16.32.010; Ord. No. 2008-13, § 1(exh. A), 10-15-2008)

This chapter, the regulations, and the procedures contained herein shall apply to and govern each lot, parcel, or tract of land and improvement thereof, within the Town limits. All residential, multifamily and commercial buildings existing as of the time of adopting this chapter, or existing at any future time, will be assigned a primary structure number.

(Code 1990, § 16.32.020; Ord. No. 2008-13, § 1(exh. A), 10-15-2008)

The Town Public Works Director shall administer this chapter. The Public Works Director shall be responsible for the administration of these standards and the maintenance of all maps and data relating to street naming and address assignments. The Public Works Director will also determine if the assignment of names and numbers conforms to this chapter. The Director may consult with Mammoth Lakes Fire Protection District, the Town Police Department, and the County Sheriff's Department to help resolve addressing issues.

(Code 1990, § 16.32.030; Ord. No. 2008-13, § 1(exh. A), 10-15-2008)

In the event a person is not satisfied with the decision for an assigned address it may be appealed to the Town Manager. The Public Works Director will prepare a brief outlining the methodology used for the address assignment to be used in the appeal review and determination.

(Code 1990, § 16.32.031; Ord. No. 2008-13, § 1(exh. A), 10-15-2008)

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Address means a combination of a number, a street name and, when necessary, a unit number that is assigned to a parcel, structure, or unit within a structure, and is unique to it, to indicate its location.

Adjoining means having a common boundary for at least 25 feet.

Building means any structure used or intended for sheltering or supporting any use or occupancy.

Contrast means two contrasting colors that, when viewed, one is distinctly opposed to the other, allowing it to be visible to the naked eye. Stands out against the prevailing background, strong dissimilarity.

Driveway means a vehicle way that provides access, primarily for the occupants, from a street into a lot and that:

(1) Has a ramp for its entrance from the street; or

(2) Is small enough or of such character that addresses along it would be clearer if they used the name of the street from which provides access.

High rise means a multi-story building greater than three stories.

Lot means a parcel of real property.

Principal building means a building that's large enough or used in such a way that, in the Public Works Department's judgment, it requires a separate address. Mobilehomes are principal buildings.

Property owner means the person, firm, corporation or partnership that the latest County tax assessment rolls shows as the owner or long-term lessee of a particular lot.

Street means a right-of-way or street easement, whether public or private, that provides vehicular access to abutting property.

Structure means anything assembled or constructed on the ground or attached to anything with a foundation on the ground. This includes mobilehomes and manufactured housing regardless of their method of attachment.

(Code 1990, § 16.32.040; Ord. No. 2008-13, § 1(exh. A), 10-15-2008)

The following standards and procedures shall be utilized when naming streets:

(1) All streets that serve three or more properties under different ownership will be named regardless of whether the ownership is public or private.

(2) Driveways may not be named.

(3) A street name assigned by the Town shall not constitute or imply acceptance of the street into the Town's road system.

(4) There shall be no duplication of names by sound or spelling (e.g., Pine Road and Pine Lane, or Beach Street and Peach Street).

(5) When a proposed street or private road is in general alignment with an existing street or private road, and the proposed street or private road is or is planned to be a continuation of the existing street or private road, the existing name and designation should be maintained.

(6) Each street will have the same name throughout its entire length.

(7) No street name shall be over 16 characters in length. In counting characters, spaces between words shall be included, but street name suffixes (e.g., road, drive, lane, circle) shall not be included.

(8) Address plans shall be submitted with the tentative map and before submittal of a final map; the sub-divider shall submit a street naming and addressing plan to the Public Works Department. In addition, if a property owner proposes to locate or construct a new road (private or public), the property owner shall submit a street naming and numbering plan to the Public Works Department. Address plans must be approved prior to map recordation.

(Code 1990, § 16.32.050; Ord. No. 2008-13, § 1(exh. A), 10-15-2008)

The following standards and procedures shall be used in assigning numbers to buildings, dwellings, or other structures when only one principal building is on the property:

(1) Official property numbers shall proceed from a logical point of origin. Each street will have a point of origin as a zero starting point for address numbers.

(2) All dead end streets and cul-de-sacs shall begin with ascending numbers at the open end that connects to another street.

(3) Allowances shall be made for vacant properties in order that numbers may be properly assigned for future development.

(4) Numbers will be assigned along both sides of a road. Odd-numbered addresses will be assigned on the north side of east-west streets and on the west side of north-south streets. Even-numbered addresses will be assigned on the south side and east side, respectively.

(5) Numbers shall be established based on the front entrance from the street as designated by the Town.

(6) The number shall be displayed upon the front of the building and/or on the side facing the street throughout the year in summer and winter. The number shall be plainly visible from the street. Houses that are set back out of view from the road shall place a sign at the driveway entrance upon which shall be affixed the herein specified numbers.

(7) For parcels that are accessed by multiple driveways, the Town shall designate a primary access point, which will be used for address assignment. Such access points are subject to review and approval of the Town to ensure that they are accessible to emergency service providers.

(8) The assignment of a building number/address is required prior to the issuance of a building permit.

(Code 1990, § 16.32.060; Ord. No. 2008-13, § 1(exh. A), 10-15-2008)

• Addressing standards for complexes and developments without internal street networks.

The following standards and procedures apply to high rises, condominium and apartment complexes, commercial and mixed-use developments that are serviced by a common driveway and parking area:

(1) Each multifamily development or complex must have a Town approved name designating it, which shall be made known at the time of permit application. This name shall be preserved, utilized, and prominently displayed at the complex. The address for the complex shall be displayed on the sign as well. For parcels that are accessed by multiple driveways, the Town shall designate a primary access point associated with the driveway that most directly accesses the Manager's unit or main office; this building will be used for address assignments. Such access points are subject to review and approval of the Town.

(2) A multifamily dwelling structure such as an apartment building will be assigned one street address and the building will be designating individual numbers for each unit by the Town.

(3) If more than one building is present in a complex, each building must be assigned a building letter per the standards set forth in Section 16.08.090.

(4) Each entrance serving a separate occupant, shall be assigned a unique unit number, however, it will maintain the parent address of the property it is built on and the letter of the building it is in. (Example: 24 Public Road, Building A, Unit 103).

(5) Unit designators shall be as follows: Ground level floor numbers: #101, #102, #103; Second floor numbers: #201, #202, #203.

(6) All floor levels are to follow this scheme. Underground floor designator shall follow the same scheme with the exception of having "U" for a prefix, for example #U101, #U102, etc.

(7) Unit numbers shall be at least four inches in height, of a contrasting color to the background, and placed next to the door.

(8) Mobilehome parks shall be assigned one address based on the location of the primary driveway. Individual numbering of each mobilehome space must be determined and provided to the Town before an address will be issued to the park. (Example: 24 Public Road, Lot 1).

(9) In the case of mall or a shopping center, the owner of any business that is located within such mall or shopping center shall display the legally assigned space or unit number at the main entrance to the business. Additionally, the owner of each business shall display the legally assigned number on the rear door to the building in numbers that are not less than four inches in height.

(10) The assignment of a building number/address is required prior to the issuance of a building permit. The Town will approve each address and building letters and unit numbers.

(Code 1990, § 16.32.070; Ord. No. 2008-13, § 1(exh. A), 10-15-2008)

• Addressing standards for multifamily residence developments with internal street networks.

(a) The development shall use the parent address assigned to the property during the construction phase of the project only. All structures, dwellings, common area facilities, alarms, and other infrastructure must comply with the following items in this section:

(1) When a network of named streets exists within a development or resort area, whether the streets are public or private, said street names shall be utilized in the addressing of the structures they service. All said street names must be approved by the Town as set forth in Section 16.08.060.

(2) The address shall be displayed upon the front of the building and/or on the side facing the street. The number shall be plainly visible from the street. All numbers shall meet the Town standards.

(3) Each entrance serving a separate occupant within each building shall be assigned a unique address based on the location of the driveway or garage which services said unit. Addresses shall be displayed according to this chapter.

(b) The assignment of a building number/address is required prior to the issuance of a building permit.

(Code 1990, § 16.32.080; Ord. No. 2008-13, § 1(exh. A), 10-15-2008)

(a) Address numbers shall comply with the following specifications:

(1) Address numbers shall be depicted in Arabic numerals or shall be the English words for such numbers.

(2) Address numbers shall be made of durable material.

(3) Address numbers shall be clearly visible from the roadway during both summer and winter months where each digit or letter shall be at least four inches in height when affixed to the building.

(b) Structures located more than 50 feet from the roadway and/or not clearly visible from the roadway shall comply with the above standard and maintain a post at the intersection of the driveway and street. The post shall be six feet in height of durable material with address numerals posted on it. The numerals shall be at least four inches four in height. In all cases, a larger number than the minimum size may be required where the minimum size does not provide adequate identification.

(c) The color of the address numbers shall be in contrast with the immediate background so as to be easily readable.

(d) It shall be unlawful to cover or conceal, or to permit the site obstruction of the address numbers. All numerical identifications must be easily identifiable without obstruction of view.

(e) It shall be unlawful to post numbers other than the primary address that may be confusing.

(f) All old numbers shall be removed when a new address number has been assigned in accordance with this chapter; and the property owner shall maintain numbers in such a manner that they continue to comply with the foregoing specifications. Structure numbers and unit designators, as viewed from the road, shall not be obstructed from view.

(Code 1990, § 16.32.090; Ord. No. 2008-13, § 1(exh. A), 10-15-2008)

Building letters shall conform with the following specifications:

(1) Each building in multi-building development shall receive a unique letter, beginning with A. Alternatively, buildings may be named; however, the first letter of the name shall not be used in the name of any other building in that complex or development. (ex., A, B, C or Aspen, Birch, Cherry);

(2) Buildings shall be lettered according to the natural sequence and progression as you drive within the complex. Building letters are to be at least one foot in height of contrasting color and shall be conspicuously located and placed on the side of the building facing the driveway/street at least ten feet off the ground so as to clearly identify the related building year round.

(Code 1990, § 16.32.100; Ord. No. 2008-13, § 1(exh. A), 10-15-2008)

Installation and maintenance of street name signs.

(1) In subdivisions the property owners association (or other similar entity) representing the property owners in the subdivision, or the property owners in said subdivision (if there is no property owners association or similar entity) shall be responsible for installing and maintaining street name signs with the approved name of the street and the intersecting street. No occupancy permits for any building or buildings to be erected shall be issued until such time as the street name signs are installed.

(2) In all other cases, the property owners adjoining the street shall be responsible for installing signs with the approved name of the street and the intersecting street.

(3) The Town will only be responsible to install street name signs for Town maintained roads.

(4) All street signs shall meet the Town standards.

(Code 1990, § 16.32.110; Ord. No. 2008-13, § 1(exh. A), 10-15-2008)

Within 60 days after notice, in accordance with this chapter, or as directed by the Public Works Director numbers shall be affixed as required by this chapter.

(Code 1990, § 16.32.120; Ord. No. 2008-13, § 1(exh. A), 10-15-2008)

(a) In the event that any number assigned to any house under the provisions of this chapter is not affixed thereto in accordance with the terms hereof after notice given as herein provided, the Director is authorized and directed to remove from such house or from the entrance thereof or elsewhere any different number which may be affixed thereto and which may be mistaken for or confused with the house number assigned to the house.

(b) The Director shall cause the number regularly assigned to such house as provided herein to be affixed thereto in accordance with the terms of this chapter; and all necessary costs of said work shall constitute a lien against the house or building and the land on which the same is located and shall be paid and collected in the same manner.

(Code 1990, § 16.32.140; Ord. No. 2008-13, § 1(exh. A), 10-15-2008)

Any person who, after being notified by the Code Enforcement Officer or any officer from the Town, fails to comply with any of the provisions of this chapter within the time limit of not less than 30 days specified in such notice shall pay a fine of $100.00, per violation.

(Code 1990, § 16.32.150; Ord. No. 2008-13, § 1(exh. A), 10-15-2008)