[HISTORY: Adopted by the County Council of Talbot County 1-30-1990
by Bill No. 379. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Roads and bridges — See Ch. 134.
Subdivision regulations — See Ch. 168.
The purpose of this chapter is to establish a system for the assignment
of road names and the numbering of properties in Talbot County. The County
Council deems it in the best interest of the health, safety and welfare of
the County that a procedure be adopted to designate the location of properties
and buildings in the County for the convenience of emergency vehicles, the
delivery of mail, and other private and public purposes.
A.
This chapter shall apply to all the lands, properties,
buildings, and other structures within the territorial limits of Talbot County.
In no case, however, shall any provision of this chapter be deemed applicable
within the incorporated territory of any municipality in the County unless
the County Council and the governing body of said town have passed appropriate
resolutions authorizing entering an agreement between the local governments.
B.
Any agreement to apply this chapter within an incorporated
municipality shall include provisions for coordinating the approval of new
road or street names.
As used in this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated.
- PLANNING OFFICER
- The person referred to in Section 403(a) of the County Charter, and designated by the County Council of Talbot County to administer the provisions of this chapter.
- ROAD
- A public or private way for vehicular traffic including rights-of-way, streets, avenues, drives, circles, highways, and other similar terms.
- TAX ASSESSMENT MAPS
- Maps prepared by the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation which show properties and roads in Talbot County.
A.
The Planning Officer shall prepare and maintain a road
naming and addressing manual which describes in detail the criteria, procedures,
and methods used to name roads and to assign address numbers to properties
in Talbot County. This manual shall include the development of a grid system
from which the address numbers will be derived.
B.
The Planning Officer shall keep and maintain a set of
maps of Talbot County which display the address grid system and the names
and route numbers of roads.
A.
The Planning Officer shall submit to the County Council
and the Council shall approve by resolution an official road name list for
Talbot County. For each road, the list shall include the following minimum
information:
(1)
The road type. Road types shall include but are not limited
to County, Maryland, other public, private, municipal, and United States.
Inclusion on the Talbot County official road name list does not indicate that
the County has accepted such road into the public roads system.
(2)
Road name.
(3)
Route number.
(4)
The designated prevailing direction of the road.
B.
Prior to adoption of the official road name list, the
County Council shall hold a public hearing and afford the public an opportunity
to comment on the proposed road names.
C.
The official road name list may be amended from time
to time by the County Council to change the name of or to delete a listed
road. The Council shall hold a public hearing on the proposed changes prior
to their adoption.
D.
Any new road opened, platted, or created shall be incorporated
into the official road name list by the Planning Officer if the road meets
the criteria contained in the road naming and addressing manual. The Planning
Officer shall have the authority to approve the name of any new road.
A.
All property in Talbot County containing a home, business,
or other primary use or structure shall have an address number assigned in
accordance with the criteria and procedures specified in the road naming and
addressing manual. The Planning Officer shall prepare and maintain the list
of properties and addresses.
B.
Any subdivision plat submitted for review and approval
shall include the address number for each lot. Address numbers shall be assigned
in accordance with the criteria and procedures specified in the road naming
and addressing manual.
C.
The Planning Officer shall assign an address number to
a property prior to the issuance of a building permit.
A.
Following the initial assignment of addresses, the Planning
Officer shall mail a notification of the new address to the owner of the property
by United States mail, first class postage prepaid. The name and address of
the property owner shall be as obtained from the records of the Maryland Department
of Assessments and Taxation.
B.
The owner of any property who receives notification of
a new address number shall be responsible for informing all tenants or occupants
of the new address.
C.
The owner or occupant shall have a period of one year
from the date the notification is mailed to make all address changes or adjustments.
Thereafter, the address number assigned under this chapter shall be the only
street address used by the owner or occupant of the property.
D.
Within one year from the date the notification of the
new address is mailed, the owner shall have placed on the property, in a location
visible from the road upon which the address number is assigned, figures at
least three inches high showing the number of the house or building. Numbers
placed on mailboxes or signs shall satisfy this requirement only if the home
or building is clearly identifiable in relation to the mailbox or sign.
A.
A violation of any provision of this chapter or failure
to comply with any requirement thereof, shall constitute a civil infraction.
Each day on which a violation of this chapter continues shall constitute a
separate offense. Any person found by a court of competent jurisdiction to
have violated any section or provision of this chapter shall pay a fine of
$100 for the first violation. The fine for each subsequent violation shall
be $100.
B.
Civil citation. The Planning Officer or enforcement official
may deliver a civil citation to the person(s) believed to be committing an
infraction. A citation may be sent by certified mail or by personal service
to the persons(s) responsible for such violations or noncompliance. If service
of the order is not reasonable or is unsuccessful, then service by posting
of the order on the building or land, with a copy mailed via first class mail
to the last known address of the property owner or alleged violator, as the
case may be, shall suffice. The citation shall serve as notification that
a civil violation has been committed and a monetary fine has been assessed
that is due and payable to the County within 10 calendar days from the date
of its issuance. A copy of the citation shall be retained by the Planning
Officer and shall bear certification attesting to the truth of the matter
set forth. The citation shall contain:
(1)
The name and address of the person charged;
(2)
The nature of the violation;
(3)
The location where, and date the violation occurred;
(4)
The amount of the fine assessed;
(5)
The manner, location, and time in which the fine may
be paid; and
(6)
The person's right to elect to stand trial for the violation.
C.
Proceedings. In a proceeding before the District Court,
the violation shall be prosecuted in the same manner and to the same extent
as set forth in municipal infractions in Article 23A, § 3(b)(7)
through (15), Annotated Code of Maryland, as amended from time to time and
which is incorporated by reference herein. The County Attorney is authorized
to prosecute a violation of this chapter, enter a nolle prosequi or place
such cases on the stet docket.
D.
The County may enforce this chapter by civil action for
declaratory judgment and/or injunction, in addition to, or instead of citing
the violator for a civil infraction. In the case of a civil action for declaratory
judgment and/or injunction, the County may recover its legal fees and costs
from the violator.
E.
The owner and/or tenant of any building, structure, premise,
or part thereof, or any other person who causes, commits, participates in,
assists in, or maintains a violation of this chapter shall be guilty of a
separate offense, and subject to all the penalties set forth herein.
