[Adopted 5-27-1997 (Ch. 221 of the 1991 Code)]
The purpose of this article is to enhance the easy and rapid location of properties by law enforcement, fire, rescue and emergency medical services personnel in the Town of Windham.
This article is adopted pursuant to and consistent with the Municipal Home Rule Powers as provided for in Article VIII, Part 2, Section 1 of the Constitution of the State of Maine and § 30-A M.R.S.A. § 3001.
This article shall be administered by the Windham Assessing Department. The Assessing Department is authorized to and shall, in consultation with the Fire-Rescue Chief, assign road names and numbers to all properties in accordance with the criteria in §§ 204-21 and 204-22. The Assessing Department shall also be responsible for maintaining the following official records of this article:
A. 
A Windham map for official use showing road names and numbers.
B. 
An alphabetical list of all property owners as identified by current assessment records, by last name, showing the assigned numbers.
C. 
An alphabetical list of all roads with property owners listed in order of their assigned numbers.
All roads that serve two or more properties shall be named regardless of whether the ownership is public or private. A "road" refers to any highway, road, street, avenue, lane, private way, or similar paved, gravel or dirt thoroughfare. "Property" refers to any property on which a more or less permanent structure has been erected or could be placed. A road name assigned by the Town of Windham shall not constitute or imply acceptance of the road as a public way. The following criteria shall govern the naming system:
A. 
No new roads shall be given the same name as existing roads (e.g., no Pine Road and Pine Lane).
B. 
No new roads should have similar-sounding names as existing roads (e.g., Beech Street and Peach Street).
C. 
Each new road shall have the same name throughout its entire length.
All new numbers shall be assigned every 50 feet along both sides of the road, with even numbers appearing on the left side of the road and odd numbers appearing on the right side of the road, determined by the number origin. (The frontage interval may vary in more densely or lightly populated areas, and it should be so indicated where that particular interval applies.) The following criteria shall govern the numbering system:
A. 
All number origins shall begin from the south or east boundary of Windham or that end of the road closest to the south or east boundary of Windham. For dead-end roads, numbering shall originate at the intersection of the adjacent road and terminate at the dead end.
B. 
The number assigned to each structure shall be that of the numbered interval falling closest to the front door. If the door cannot be seen from the main road, the number shall be that of the interval falling closest to the driveway of said structure.
C. 
Every structure with more than one principal use or occupancy shall have a separate unit number for each use or occupancy. Apartments will have one road number with an apartment number, such as 235 Maple Street, Apt. 2.
All owners of structures shall, by the date stipulated in § 204-25, display and maintain in a conspicuous place on said structure the assigned numbers in the following manner:
A. 
Number on the structure or residence. Where the residence or structure is within 50 feet of the edge of the road right-of-way, the assigned number shall be displayed on the front of the residence or structure near the front door or entry in a position visible from the street or road fronting the property.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
B. 
Numbering at the street line. Where the residence or structure is over 50 feet from the edge of the road right-of way, the assigned number shall be displayed on a post, fence, wall, the mailbox, or on some structure at the property line next to the walk or access drive to the residence or structure.
C. 
Size and color of number. Numbers shall be displayed in a color and size approved for use by the Assessing Department and shall be located in a position visible from the street or road fronting the property. Assigned numbers shall consist of Arabic numbers and alphabetic letters at least four inches high and at least 1/2 inch wide and may not be spelled out.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
D. 
Removal of conflicting number. Every person whose duty is to display the assigned number shall remove any different number that might be mistaken for, or confused with, the number assigned in conformance with this article.
E. 
Interior location. All residents and other occupants are requested to post the assigned number and road name next to their telephone for emergency reference.
F. 
Additional locations. Assigned numbers shall be placed in any additional locations required by the Code Enforcement Officer or Fire Inspector to facilitate emergency responses.
[Added at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
All new construction and subdivisions shall be named and numbered in accordance with the provisions of this article and as follows:
A. 
New construction. Whenever any residence or other structure is constructed or developed, it shall be the duty of the new owner to obtain an assigned number from the Assessing Department. This shall be done at the time of the issuance of the building permit. Prior to the issuance of any building permit, the Code Enforcement Officer shall ensure that a street sign has been erected and an assigned number is displayed in accordance with this article. Prior to issuance of certificates of occupancy for new structures, the Code Enforcement Officer shall ensure that the proper assigned numbers are displayed on the building.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
B. 
New subdivisions. Any prospective subdivision shall show a proposed road name and lot numbering system on the pre-application submission to the Planning Board. Approval by the Planning Board, after consultation with the Assessing Department, shall constitute the assignment of road names and numbers to the lots in the subdivision. On the final plan showing proposed roads, the applicant shall mark on the plan lines or dots in the center of the streets every 50 feet to aid in assignment of numbers to structures subsequently constructed. No decision by the Planning Board shall be made until the street names and numbers have been duly approved by the Tax Assessor's office.
This article shall become effective as of November 1, 1997. It shall be the duty of the Assessing Department to notify by mail each property owner and the Post Office of a new address at least 30 days before the effective date of its use. It shall be the duty of each property owner to comply with this article, including the posting of new property numbers, within 30 days following notification. On new structures, numbering will be installed before final inspection or when the structure is first used or occupied, whichever comes first.
The Code Enforcement Officer, with the advice and consent of the Town Manager, is authorized to institute or cause to be instituted by the Town Council, in the name of the Town of Windham, any and all actions, legal or equitable, that may be appropriate or necessary for the enforcement of this article; provided, however, that this section shall not prevent any person entitled to equitable relief from enjoining any act contrary to the provisions of this article.
An appeal of any decision of the administrating authority of this article may be made through the municipal officers of the Town of Windham.