Riverside Municipal Code Ch. 16.24 Building Addressing

Footnotes:

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Editor's note— Ord. 7612, § 44, adopted November 22, 2022, changed the title of Chapter 16.24 from "House numbering" to "Building addressing."

For the promotion of safety, convenience, comfort, peace, order and the general welfare of the City, a uniform system of building addressing is hereby adopted and established. This system shall be administered by the Building & Safety Division, and all address numbers shall be maintained within the City's (GIS) Geographic Information System mapping database as the official record of address assignments.

(Ord. 7748, § 48, 2025; Ord. 7612 § 45, 2022)

Every person owning, controlling, occupying or using any structure, house, building, or place of business situated on property fronting on any public street, avenue, road, alley or other public way within the City shall obtain, post, and maintain address numbers as assigned pursuant to this chapter. Said address numbers shall be affixed in a conspicuous location on the street-facing side of the building, structure, or entrance. Where multiple entrances exist facing a public right-of-way, numbers shall be posted on, over, or adjacent to each entry door, or as otherwise directed by the Building Official or Fire Code Official.

(Ord. 7748, § 49, 2025; Ord. 7612 § 46, 2022)

A. Minimum size and contrast. For all buildings other than single-family dwellings including suite/unit identifiers, address numerals shall be a minimum of six inches in height with a minimum stroke width of one inch, and shall be of a color that contrasts sharply with the background surface. For single-family dwellings, address numerals shall be a minimum of four inches in height with a minimum stroke width of one inch, and likewise shall be contrasting and clearly visible.

B. Illumination requirements for new buildings and new dwelling units in existing buildings. Address numbers for all newly constructed buildings, and for any new dwelling unit(s) created in an existing building, including additions and conversions, shall be illuminated during nighttime hours to ensure visibility for emergency responders and public safety personnel. Illumination shall be provided as follows:

1. Externally illuminated address signs shall be lit with an intensity of not less than five foot-candles, measured at the face of the sign.

2. Internally illuminated signs shall provide equivalent luminance to externally illuminated signs.

C. Setback and obstruction accommodations. Where a building is located more than 50 feet from the adjacent public or private street, or where the primary address number(s) are not clearly visible due to landscaping, vegetation, architectural elements, fencing, grade changes, or other obstructions, supplemental address indentation shall be provided.

A secondary address sign shall be posted at the entrance of the driveway, private road, or access point serving the building or structure. The secondary sign shall:

1. Be constructed of durable, weather-resistant materials, and reflective materials;

2. Be permanently mounted to a freestanding post or other approved structure;

3. Be clearly legible from both directions of travel; and

4. Comply with the minimum size, contrast, and visibility standards described in subsection A.

Where multiple buildings are located on a property or site access may lead to ambiguity, directional indicators, site maps, or additional signage may be required to identify the location of individual buildings or units.

D. Maintenance. All address identification signage shall be maintained in a legible, illuminated, and unobstructed condition at all times. The Building Official or Fire Code Official may require the repair, replacement, relocation, or upgrade of address numbers or signage found to be in noncompliance with this chapter.

(Ord. 7748, § 50, 2025; Ord. 7612 § 47, 2022)