[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:
1. 
In Arabic numerals.
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.