[HISTORY: Adopted by the County Council of
Talbot County 1-30-1990 by Bill
No. 379. Amendments noted where applicable.[1]]
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.
[Amended 7-24-2001 by Bill No. 837]
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 Md. Code Ann., Local
Government Art., § 6-108 through § 6-115, 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.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. I)]
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.
