Town of Elmira, NY Chapter 78 Buildings, Numbering of

[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Elmira 11-7-1994 by L.L. No. 1-1994. Amendments noted where applicable.]

GENERAL REFERENCES

Building code administration and enforcement — See Ch. 76.

Unsafe buildings — See Ch. 82.

Subdivision of land — See Ch. 198.

§ 78-1 Legislative intent.

In order to facilitate the location of buildings along the various roads, highways, and other public rights-of-way by fire, police, and other emergency services, the Town Board does hereby deem the enumeration of all buildings to be of major importance for all the Town of Elmira. In order to effectuate the efficient and accurate enumeration of buildings, the Town Board hereby enacts this chapter.

§ 78-2 Numbering required.

All buildings in the Town of Elmira existing and those hereafter constructed will have displayed either upon said building or upon an acceptable freestanding display post or similar fixture located within the front yard of said building a uniquely assigned number that identifies said buildings' location on any given road, highway, or other public right-of-way.

§ 78-3 Assignment of numbers.

The Assessor shall assign a number to any new building after the issuance of a building permit and prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy. Any new certificate of occupancy issued after the effective date of this chapter shall have written on its face the building number and street name upon which the building is located. For the purposes of this chapter, only one principal building upon any individual land parcel shall be required to hold and display the number assigned.

§ 78-4 Size, style and display of numbers.

A. The figure or figures comprising the number to be displayed on a building shall be:

(1) In Arabic numerals of a color that provides sharp contrast to the immediate background.

(2) A minimum height of four inches, with a minimum stroke width of 0.5 inch.[1]

[1] Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).

(3) Unobstructed from view and plainly legible from the center of the roadway at all times between sunrise and sunset.

(4) Sufficiently reflective or illuminated so as to be readily visible at night.

B. The figure or figures comprising the number to be displayed on a building shall be affixed either:

(1) In a prominent and conspicuous place upon that side of the building facing the roadway upon which the number has been allotted; or

(2) Upon a freestanding man-made signpost or similar fixture erected within the front yard of said building. No freestanding signpost or fixture employed to display a building's allotted number may be erected on that side of any roadway opposite the subject property or in any location other than the front yard of the building to which a number has been allotted.

§ 78-5 Responsibilities of owners.

On and after the passage and approval of this chapter, it shall be the duty of each and every owner, trustee, lessee, agent and occupant of each and every house, building, or other structure to cause the same to be numbered in accordance with this chapter.

§ 78-6 Time limit for compliance.

All existing structures to which numbers are assigned by the Assessor shall be required to display the assigned number in the manner required by § 78-4 hereof within two months of the assignment of a number by the Assessor. Any structures for which a certificate of occupancy is issued after the effective date of this chapter will be required to be in accordance with the provisions hereof prior to a certificate of occupancy being issued.

§ 78-7 Enforcement; variances.

The Code Enforcement Officer is hereby declared to be responsible for the enforcement of this chapter and will cause all property owners to be in compliance with the provisions hereof. In instances of unique practical difficulties presented by individual properties, the Code Enforcement Officer shall have authority to vary the specific standards for building enumeration described in §§ 78-2 and 78-4 of this chapter upon the advice of the Chemung County Enhanced 911 Emergency Telephone Service Coordinator.

§ 78-8 Procedure on noncompliance.

A. Noncompliance deemed a violation. Any person, corporation, partnership, or other entity owning a building who or which by refusal or by neglect fails to display the proper building number within 60 days following enforcement notice by the Code Enforcement Officer shall be deemed in violation of this chapter.[1]

[1] Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).

B. Service of notice. The notice provided for in Subsection A of this section may be transmitted by personal service or by mailing a copy thereof to the last known address of the building owner.

C. Numbering of building by Town. In the event that any owner of a building fails to display the proper building number within 60 days of service of the enforcement notice provided in Subsection A of this section, the Superintendent of Highways, upon the advice of the Chemung County Enhanced 911 Emergency Telephone Service Coordinator, may cause said building to be properly numbered. The Superintendent of Highways shall report the costs of numbering said building to the Town Board and such Board shall order the Assessor to assess the cost of the same upon such premises, and the Assessor shall include the same in the next tax roll.

§ 78-9 Penalties for offenses.

Any person who violates any of the provisions of this chapter shall, upon conviction, be punishable by a fine not to exceed $250 or by imprisonment for a term not to exceed 15 days, or both.