§ 12-33. Display of street address number on buildings: use in enhanced 911 service.

(a)

Purpose. The purpose of this section is to:

(1)

To establish a uniform system of numbering buildings to facilitate use of enhanced 911 service.

(2)

To enable emergency responders to locate buildings, and to promote efficiency in locating buildings for mail, utility and other delivery systems.

(b)

Numbering system.

(1)

All buildings in the City of Newburyport shall be numbered in accordance with the assessor's records, and so designated by the assessor's office.

(2)

The assessor's office shall designate numbers for vacant parcels of land.

(3)

Duplexes shall be assigned only one number to the primary entrance onto the street. Units shall be logically lettered "A" and "B".

(4)

Corner lots shall be assigned the number that corresponds to the street or road on which the front door of the building faces.

(c)

Procedures. All owners of buildings shall affix the assigned number in accordance with this section.

(1)

All assigned numbers shall be displayed so as to be readily visible from the street or road.

(2)

Size of numbers displayed shall be no less than three (3) inches high by two and one-half (2½) inches wide.

(3)

Color of numbers shall contrast with the color of the structure.

(4)

If a mail box is located on the opposite side of the street, the number shall be displayed on the front of the mailbox.

(5)

If the building is so far from the street or road, or situated in a manner causing visibility of the number from the street or road to be impractical, a post with the number affixed thereto shall also be placed at the entrance to the driveway or public way leading to the building.

(6)

Where entrance to condominium or apartment units do not face the street or road, but are accessible only through common areas within or without of the buildings, said units shall be numbered so as to be easily identifiable.

(d)

New buildings and subdivisions. Whenever a building or occupied structure shall be erected, a designated number shall be affixed to the said building as assigned by the assessor. Final approval of the certificate of occupancy shall be withheld by the building inspector until permanent and proper number(s) are affixed as provided in the section 12-33(b).

(e)

Identification of streets. The City of Newburyport shall be responsible for erecting and maintaining signs that clearly indicate the name of public ways.

(f)

Penalties. Any person, firm, or corporation found not to be in compliance with the provisions of this section within six (6) months of the effective date of this section shall be subject to a fine of ten dollars ($10.00) per day, and shall be denied any and all permits issued by the city until compliance with such section is met.

(Code 1971, § 23-23; Ord. of 7-29-96)

State law reference

Authority of city to regulate numbering of buildings, M.G.L.A. c. 148, § 59.