Town of Forestburgh, NY Chapter 72 Buildings, Numbering of

[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Forestburgh 7-3-2003 by L.L. No. 3-2003. Amendments noted where applicable.]

GENERAL REFERENCES

Building construction — See Ch. 68.

Unsafe buildings — See Ch. 74.

Property maintenance — See Ch. 129.

Subdivision of land — See Ch. 148.

§ 72-1 Legislative intent.

Sullivan County, New York, has implemented an enhanced 911 telephone system whereby an individual will be able to dial a 911 telephone number in the event of an emergency. A Town-wide uniform numbering system of all buildings will assist emergency personnel in responding efficiently and quickly to an emergency. It is, therefore, in the best interest of the public health, safety and welfare of the Town of Forestburgh to enact this chapter.

§ 72-2 Definitions.

As used in this chapter, the following term(s) shall have the meanings indicated:

BUILDING

The principal building or buildings on each lot, and shall not include any accessory building.

ROAD

The street designated in the property address.

§ 72-3 Determination of buildings to be numbered.

The 911 Coordinator and, in the absence of the 911 Coordinator, the Building Inspector shall be authorized to decide which building or buildings on any particular lot shall be numbered.

§ 72-4 Designation of numbers; review of determination.

A. The 911 Coordinator and, in the absence of the 911 Coordinator, the Building Inspector shall designate separate numbers for buildings which have no designated street number, and they shall also have the authority to redesignate numbers for buildings when deemed necessary.

B. Any property owner aggrieved by the determination of the 911 Coordinator or Building Inspector may seek review of that determination by the Town Board of the Town of Forestburgh upon a written request to the Town Supervisor setting forth the reasons for seeking such review. The Town Board may uphold, modify or change the determination of the 911 Coordinator or Building Inspector, and such determination shall be final and binding.

§ 72-5 Duty of building owners.

It shall be the duty of every owner and/or every occupant/tenant of a building in the Town of Forestburgh to cause to be displayed thereon the street number of said building on a building, post, or other structure at or within 20 feet of the edge of the road surface. The post, or other nonbuilding structure, nay only be used for the purposes of this chapter if it is stationed on the same side of the street as the building or premises for which the number is intended. At all times, the owner and/or occupant/tenant of a building shall maintain such number in compliance with the provisions of this chapter.

§ 72-6 Size and display of numbers.

A. Residential properties (noncommercial). The figures comprising the number are to be reflective and at least four inches in height and shall be placed on the front of said building or on a post of at least four feet in height and not exceeding 10 feet in height or other structure in a prominent and conspicuous place and in such a manner as to be plainly legible and visible from the center of the street when facing the building at all times between sunrise and sunset. At no times will said numbers be placed on any door; front, garage, or otherwise. The color of said figures shall be in sharp contrast to the color of their background. So far as the purpose or intent of this chapter is concerned, the front of a building shall be construed as that side of the building which faces the street of address, and the number or numbers shall be displayed on such side of such building or premises.

B. Commercial property (nonresidential). The criteria shall be the same for commercial property as in Subsection A except that the numbers shall be at least six inches in height.

C. In all cases, the numbers shall be so placed that they may be seen from either direction while driving on the road or street, and they shall not be obstructed by trees, shrubbery, porches or other extensions of the building, or shoveled or plowed snow.

D. Wherever practicable, said number shall be placed near some light or source of illumination so that it may be readily seen at night.

E. Where the front of the building on which the number is to be displayed is more than 20 feet from the edge of the street of address of the street or road serving the building, the number shall, in addition to the other requirements of this chapter, be displayed on a post, mailbox or other structure visible from the street and in no event farther back than 20 feet from said street and stationed on the same side of the street as the building or premises for which it is intended.

F. In the event that more than one house has access from a single driveway, a street number of the house must be displayed at each location at which the driveway access diverges from the common access.

§ 72-7 Display of other numbers prohibited.

The display of any house number other than the number authorized or assigned by the 911 Coordinator or Building Inspector is expressly prohibited.

§ 72-8 Private road signs.

Private road signs must be erected and maintained by the property owner or owners on said road. Private road signs must have white lettering on a blue background. Newly created private roads must have a road name approved by the Town's 911 Coordinator prior to subdivision approval and, prior to approval, the Planning Board and the owner must notify the Town's Highway Superintendent, Town Building Inspector, appropriate Fire Department, Town Police Department, local Ambulance Corps and school bus garage of the new road name and location.

§ 72-9 Noncompliance; notice; remedy; costs.

A. Noncompliance deemed a violation. Any person, corporation, partnership, or other entity owning a building within the Town of Forestburgh failing or neglecting for 60 days after the initial notice from their respective post office of their new number to place the proper designated number on said building shall be deemed in violation of this chapter.

B. Nonmaintenance deemed a violation. Any person, corporation, partnership, or other entity owning a building within the Town of Forestburgh failing to maintain house numbers as provided herein shall be deemed in violation of this chapter.

C. Any person, corporation, partnership or other entity owning property on a private road within the Town of Forestburgh who fails to erect and maintain a private road sign as provided herein shall be deemed in violation of this chapter.

D. Service of notice. The notice provided for herein may be given by personal service or by certified mailing to the last known address of the owner as shown on the last assessment roll on file in the Assessor's office of the Town of Forestburgh.

E. Numbering of building by Town. In the event of the failure, neglect or refusal of any owner and/or occupant/tenant, after notice, to cause said building to be properly numbered, the Building Inspector of the Town of Forestburgh shall cause said building to be properly numbered.

F. Report; assessment of costs. The Building Inspector shall report the cost of numbering said building to the Town Board, and such board shall order said cost assessed as a lien against the property of the owner and collected in the same manner as other Town taxes.

§ 72-10 Penalties for offenses.

Any person, corporation, partnership or other entity violating any of the provisions of this chapter, shall, upon conviction, be punishable by a fine not to exceed $250. Each calendar week or portion thereof that said violation continues shall be deemed a separate violation.