[Added 9-7-2016 by Ord.
No. 776]
The purpose of this chapter is to require the clear display
of authorized and assigned house or building numbers for every building
fronting on any street in the Borough of Frenchtown. This is in order
to assist the general public and emergency services, public and private,
in identifying any property in case of emergency or otherwise in accordance
with N.J.S.A. 40:67-1 et seq.
[Added 9-7-2016 by Ord.
No. 776]
There is hereby established a uniform system for numbering and
renumbering, where appropriate, properties along all streets, avenues,
public and private ways in the Borough of Frenchtown.
a. The
Tax Assessor shall prepare a property number map by superimposing
upon the assessment map of the Borough of Frenchtown numbers for every
property in the Borough of Frenchtown pursuant to the following standards:
1. Existing numbers. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter,
the Tax Assessor shall attempt to the extent possible, consistent
with the maintenance of the orderly progression of property numbers,
to assign to lots on which there are existing structures the numbers
which are currently in use.
2. New numbers. All property numbers for new subdivisions and lots created
by redivisions shall be consistent and uniform with existing numbers
in the immediate area as determined by the Tax Assessor.
3. Even and odd numbers. Even numbers shall appear on one side of each
street, while odd numbers shall appear on the opposite side of the
street.
4. All parcels of property shall be numbered in a uniform fashion, at
fixed intervals as designated by the Tax Assessor, on such property
map in order to facilitate continued numbering without need for change
when properties are subdivided.
b. The
Tax Assessor shall prepare a street guide listing alphabetically every
street in the Borough of Frenchtown with its location and the property
numbers currently assigned.
[Added 9-7-2016 by Ord.
No. 776]
a. After
the property number map and street guide have been prepared by the
Tax Assessor, they shall be maintained in the office of the Clerk.
b. Upon
any subdivision or resubdivision of land in the Borough of Frenchtown
resulting in the lot or lots other than those delineated on said map,
the Tax Assessor shall assign a property number to each lot resulting
from said subdivision or resubdivision which shall be in proper numerical
sequence in relation to the number assigned to other lots fronting
on the same street, and the Tax Assessor or Clerk shall record the
same on the property number map and street guide.
c. Copies
of the initial map and guide and any changes thereto shall be filed,
within 30 days of any change, with the Construction Official, Police
Chief, Fire Chief, Fire Official, Tax Assessor and Tax Collector of
the Borough of Frenchtown, as well as with each post office serving
any portion of the Borough.
[Added 9-7-2016 by Ord.
No. 776]
a. Whenever
any improvements shall be erected or located in the Borough of Frenchtown
after the passage of this chapter and, in order to preserve the continuity
and uniformity of numbers of the property, it shall be the duty of
the owner to ascertain the correct number or numbers as designated
by the property number map from the Tax Assessor for said property
and to immediately fasten on the improvement and/or, by some other
appropriate method, the property marker clearly setting forth the
correct number or numbers so assigned upon said property in the manner
provided by this chapter.
b. No
permit shall be issued for any house, building or structure until
the owner has ascertained the official number of the proposed or existing
improvement from the Tax Assessor.
c. Final
approval of any structure erected, repaired, altered or modified after
the effective date of this chapter shall be withheld by the Construction
Official until permanent and proper numbers have been affixed to said
structure. All subdivisions shall have numbers assigned prior to final
approval. All such house numbers shall be shown on the site plan submitted
for final approval.
d. Any
structure erected, altered, repaired or modified after the effective
date of this Chapter shall have the certificate of occupancy withheld
by the Construction Official until permanent and proper numbers have
been affixed.
e. Any
person having a number different from that officially assigned shall
be deemed to be in violation of this chapter.
[Added 9-7-2016 by Ord.
No. 776]
After the property number map is complete, the Borough shall
notify, by regular mail or personal delivery, all owners of improvements
which do not display a number or which display an incorrect number
that they must bring their building into conformity with this chapter
within three months of the date of the notice.
[Added 9-7-2016 by Ord.
No. 776]
All residential, commercial, industrial or other structures
erected or to be erected within the Borough of Frenchtown shall display
identification numbers as provided herein and in accordance with specifications
provided herein.
[Added 9-7-2016 by Ord.
No. 776]
a. The
owner, occupant or lessee of each and every structure which now fronts
or which may hereafter front upon any public or private street shall,
in accordance with this chapter, cause the authorized and assigned
number of such structure to be permanently and conspicuously placed
in accordance with the specifications set forth herein. Any building
presently numbered shall display the existing number.
b. Specifications.
House or building numbers shall be:
2. A minimum height of four inches.
3. Mounted in secure fashion to the front wall or porch of the building
or other fixed appurtenance on the front of the building so as to
be clearly visible from the street or road giving access to such building
(except as permitted below).
4. Sufficiently legible as to contrasting background, arrangement, spacing
and uniformity so as to be clearly visible from the street or road.
5. At least 30 inches above ground level and so placed that trees, shrubs
and other obstructions do not block the line of sight of the numbers
from the street or road upon which the building fronts.
6. If possible, the numbers shall be placed alongside any existing outside
lighting so as to be illuminated.
c. Placement
of Numbers on Post, Rod or Mailbox.
1. If a building is set back 100 feet or more from the public or private
street or road giving access to it or it a number would not be visible
from such street or road due to shrubbery or other vegetation, then
the owner shall provide a post, rod or other type of fixture of a
substantial nature (which may be a mailbox for the property if located
along its frontage on the same side of said public street or road),
with the number affixed thereon and so located on the premises that
the number shall be conspicuous and visible from said public or private
street or road. Said number, if placed on such post or mailbox, shall
also meet the requirements of Subsection b2, 4 and 5 above.
2. If the numbers affixed to the front of the building would not be
visible from the street as required or as an alternative thereto,
requirements of this chapter are satisfied if the owner, occupant
or lessee shall provide the Arabic numbers, as required hereinabove,
upon a post rod or other type of fixture of substantial nature adjacent
to a driveway leading to said building so that the number may be conspicuous
and visible from either direction when traveling on the road. The
location shall not be greater than 10 feet from the edge of the roadway.
A mailbox, post or rod on the opposite side of the street that the
building fronts on will not satisfy the requirements of this chapter.
3. In the case of apartment, condominium and/or townhouse complexes,
the number posted shall be the official mailing address number. Numbers
shall be placed on each building. The numbers shall be eight inches
in height and shall be adequately illuminated after dusk and be clearly
visible from the roadways within any apartment, condominium and/or
townhouse complex. Each entranceway door shall display numbers three
inches in height of the apartments within the entranceway. Each apartment
door shall display numbers three inches in height. A storm or screen
door shall not obscure required numbers.
4. The rear door to any occupancy other than a residential occupancy
must also be marked as specified hereinabove.
d. All
numbers posted pursuant to this chapter shall be of reflective material
or of sufficient visual contrast to the background material to be
easily discernible with the aid of an emergency vehicle spotlight.
e. All
buildings with Fire Department hose connections will have a sign with
twelve-inch reflective letters "FDC" directly above the unobstructed
connection.
[Added 9-7-2016 by Ord.
No. 776]
a. Where
any improvement has more than one entrance serving separate occupants,
a separate number shall be assigned to each entrance serving a separate
occupant and shall be posted as otherwise provided in this chapter.
b. Where
only one number can be assigned to any one improvement, the suffix
"(a)," "(b)," "(c)," etc., may be required to designate each separate
entrance serving the separate occupant.
c. Where
any building or complex of buildings is so structured that all separate
entrances serving separate occupants and the numbers assigned to them
are not clearly visible from the center line of the street, then the
number for each separate entrance shall be placed near the walk or
driveway from the street to such separate entrance and upon a gate,
post, fence or other appropriate place so as to be visible from the
center line of the street. The height limitations on such a display
shall be the same as those provided hereinabove.
d. For
all multifamily improvements having apartment doors opening on interior
halls, each door shall have a number no less than two inches high
affixed thereon, and all entranceways shall have on the exterior thereof
a display indicating the sequence of apartments served by such entranceway.
[Added 9-7-2016 by Ord.
No. 776]
The posting of the numbers as required hereinabove shall be
the responsibility of the owner or, in the case of a residence or
business not occupied by the owner, the responsibility shall be that
of the person in possession of the premises. In the case of an apartment
complex, the responsibility shall be that of the owner. In the case
of an existing condominium or townhouse complex, the responsibility
shall be that of the condominium association.
[Added 9-7-2016 by Ord.
No. 776]
Each person responsible as outlined in this chapter shall also
be responsible for the maintenance and legibility of the required
numbers.
[Added 9-7-2016 by Ord.
No. 776]
a. The owner, occupant or agent of an owner or occupant may, within
20 days of the assignment of a number as hereinabove provided in this
chapter or within 20 days after being notified by the Borough of a
violation and/or that it plans to affix the number because of the
owner, occupant or agent's inability to do so in accordance with
the chapter requirements, object to the number assigned to his property
or to the violation or to the affixing of the number by the Borough
by filing a written notice of objection with the Clerk. Such notice
shall specify the reasons for the objections.
b. The Clerk shall convene, within 20 days of the receipt of the written notice of objection pursuant to Subsection
a above, a meeting with the Tax Assessor and notify the person who has filed the notice of objection at least five days in advance of the time and place of the meeting with the Tax Assessor.
c. The objector shall be permitted to be present at the meeting with
the Tax Assessor to present his position, but such attendance is not
mandatory. The Tax Assessor shall permit an appellant to use an existing
number and size or location as long as the appellant shall continue
to own or occupy the premises in question, and provided that the existing
number shall not duplicate the number assigned to the building number
map to another premises and actually used at that location.
d. A record of the Tax Assessor's deliberations shall be maintained
by the Clerk, and the decision on the objection shall be set forth
in written form by the Borough, which decision shall set forth findings
of fact made by the officials and the reasons for the decision. A
copy of said decision shall be mailed by certified mail, return receipt
requested, to the person filing the notice of objection within 10
days of the decision.
e. The filing of an appeal under this chapter shall temporarily suspend
enforcement or prosecution until said appeal is determined and correspondingly
shall extend the time periods for compliance.
f. A copy of the final decision issued herein shall be filed with the
Clerk.
[Added 9-7-2016 by Ord.
No. 776]
a. As to all buildings which already have designated numbers, compliance
is expected by and enforcement shall commence on the 31st day following
adoption of this chapter.
b. With respect to those buildings which presently have no designated
numbers or whose number is in the process of being changed because
of duplication, compliance is expected by and enforcement shall commence
on the 31st day after Council acceptance of the property numbering
map or specific section thereof.
[Added 9-7-2016 by Ord.
No. 776]
The Tax Assessor will submit for acceptance to the Borough within
180 days after adoption of this chapter the plan for numbering properties
as set forth herein.
[Added 9-7-2016 by Ord.
No. 776]
a. Any person who violates any provision of this chapter shall, upon conviction, be subject to a penalty as stated in Chapter
1, §
1-5, General Penalty.
b. The violation of any section or subsection of this chapter shall
constitute a separate and distinct offense independent of the violation
of any other section or subsection or of any order issued pursuant
to this chapter. Each week after receiving the notice of violation
shall constitute a separate offense. The person authorized to act
as enforcement officer is the Code Enforcement Official.
[Added 9-7-2016 by Ord.
No. 776]
If any section, paragraph, subdivision, clause or provision
of this chapter shall be adjudged invalid, such adjudication shall
apply only to the section, paragraph, subdivision, clause or provision
and the remainder of this chapter shall be deemed valid and effective.
[Added 9-7-2016 by Ord.
No. 776]
This chapter shall take effect immediately upon final passage
and publication according to law.