[Ord. 937-2001, 2-5-2001]
This chapter shall be known and cited as the "Addressing Ordinance" of the City of Tahlequah, Oklahoma.
[Ord. 937-2001, 2-5-2001]
The purpose of this chapter is to enhance the rapid location of properties by law enforcement, fire, rescue, and emergency medical services personnel in the City of Tahlequah, Oklahoma.
[Ord. 937-2001, 2-5-2001]
This chapter shall be administered by the Mayor and City council to authorize designated City personnel to assign road names and numbers to all properties, both on existing and proposed roads, in accordance with the criteria set forth in Sections 12-1004 through 12-1007 of this chapter. The City Clerk shall be responsible for maintaining the official records of this chapter.
For the purpose of facilitating correct naming and numbering, a plat book or official map (printed or digital) of all named roads within the City service area showing the proper numbers of all property fronting upon all named roads shall be kept on file with the City Clerk. These plats shall be open to inspection of all persons during office hours of the City hall. Duplicate copies of such plats or official map (printed or digital) shall be furnished to the building inspector and other appropriate City officials.
Every five days the designated City personnel shall provide a list of all new, renumbered, or otherwise modified addresses to the post office and to Cherokee County 9-1-1.
[Ord. 937-2001, 2-5-2001]
All roads that serve two or more structures 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, graveled, or dirt thoroughfare. A road name assigned by the City of Tahlequah shall not constitute or imply acceptance of the road as a public road.
The following guidelines shall be used in the naming and renaming of all roads in the City:
A. 
No two roads shall be given the same name (such as Jay Drive and Jay Lane).
B. 
No two roads shall have similar sounding names (such as Beach Drive and Peach Drive).
C. 
The following names for road types shall apply:
1. 
Street: A road that runs in an east-west direction and terminates at a north-south avenue.
2. 
Avenue: A road that runs in a north-south direction and terminates at an east-west street.
3. 
Circle: A road that returns to itself or terminates in a cul-de-sac.
4. 
Lane: A road that dead-ends or ends in a cul-de-sac that branches from other thoroughfares and is not a segment of an interrupted street or avenue that continues in another location with the same name.
5. 
Drive: A curving road that is intersected by one or more rights of way and returns to the same thoroughfare from which it originated.
6. 
Court: A curving road that returns to the same thoroughfare from which it originated.
7. 
Parkway: A road which begins and terminates in an industrial park.
8. 
Road: A curving road whose ends terminate in different directions and that does not return to itself or the thoroughfare from which it originated.
D. 
Each road shall have the same name throughout its entire length.
E. 
The following shall apply to road extensions and interrupted roads:
1. 
An interrupted road will maintain its name within 1,320 feet (1/4 mile) of its termination in its direction of travel.
2. 
An interrupted road will maintain its name within 250 feet of the termination of the longest section of said thoroughfare perpendicular to its direction of travel.
3. 
In the event two roads grow to within the limits set above the road being the last dedicated will assume the name of the first dedicated. If this criteria is not sufficient the shorter of the two (prior to extension) will assume the name of the longer of the two throughout its entire length including interrupted sections.
The designated City personnel may cause existing roads or parts of roads to be renamed where necessary for public safety or efficiency.
[Ord. 937-2001, 2-5-2001]
The origin for numbering property shall be the intersection of Muskogee Avenue and Delaware Street. Muskogee Avenue shall constitute the baseline for numbering property along all roads running in an east-west direction. For numbering purposes Grand Avenue shall be regarded as the extension of Muskogee Avenue to the north. The north-south center line of Section 16, Township 17 North, Range 22 East shall be regarded as the extension of Grand Avenue to the north beginning at the northern boundary of the same section. The extended north-south center line of Section 16, Township 16 North, Range 22 East shall be regarded as the extension of Muskogee Avenue to the south beginning at the center point of that section. Delaware Street shall constitute the baseline for numbering property along all roads running in a north-south direction. For numbering purposes Boone Street shall be regarded as the extension of Delaware Street to the east to Boone's intersection with Bliss Avenue and from thence a line extended due east on the southern boundary Section 27, Township 17 North, Range 22 East. From Delaware Street's intersection with West Avenue westward, the baseline will become the extended southern boundary of Section 29, Township 17 North, Range 22 East.
[Ord. 937-2001, 2-5-2001; Ord. 994-2002, 10-24-2002]
A structure shall be numbered according to its position within a given block along a given road. A "block" is an interval of every 528 feet.
Any additional land annexed to the City of Tahlequah shall be platted into blocks numbered serially in hundreds. New blocks shall be numbered from the last block closest to the said annexed land, allowing a number every 5.28 feet within each block.
In areas where a complete grid of roads are not present numbers shall be incremented to the next hundred at intervals of every 528 feet.
A. 
All number origins shall begin at the intersection of Muskogee Avenue and Delaware Street. The first block running north, south, east, and west of the said baselines shall each be numbered 100. The next block in each of these directions shall be numbered 200, and so forth.
B. 
Numbers shall be assigned about every 5.28 feet with even numbers appearing on the right side of the road and odd numbers on the left side of the road, ascending from the baseline.
C. 
The number assigned to each structure in a residential zone shall be that of the numbered interval falling closest to the front door. If the front door cannot be seen from the main road or there are multiple uses of a structure the number shall be that of the interval falling closest to the driveway of the said structure.
D. 
Every structure with more than one principal use or occupancy shall have a separate number for each use or occupancy. Apartments shall have one road number with an apartment number, such as 235 Maple Drive, Apt. 2.
E. 
The number assigned to each structure in a commercial or industrial zone shall be that of the numbered interval falling closest to the driveway of the said structure or as approved by the building inspector or his designee.
Practical guidelines for how to address property in accordance with this chapter are provided in the City of Tahlequah E911 addressing guidelines.
[Ord. 937-2001, 2-5-2001]
All new construction and subdivisions shall be named and numbered in accordance with the provisions of this chapter as follows:
A. 
Whenever any residence or other structure is constructed or developed, it shall be the owner or contractor's duty to obtain an assigned number from the City of Tahlequah. This shall be done at the time a building permit is issued by the building inspector.
B. 
Any prospective subdivider shall provide a proposed road name and lot numbering system on the preapplication submission to the planning and zoning commission. After approval by the planning and zoning commission, the City council must also approve it. This shall constitute the assignment of road names and numbers to the lots in the subdivision.
[Ord. 937-2001, 2-5-2001]
All owners of structures shall display and maintain in a conspicuous place on said structures, the assigned numbers in the following manner:
A. 
Where the residence or structure is within 50 feet 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.
B. 
Where the residence or structure is over 50 feet from the right of way, the assigned numbers shall be displayed on a post, fence, wall, mailbox, or some structure at the property line next to the walk or access drive to the residence or structure.
C. 
The numbering shall be a minimum of three inches in height and of a color that is of visible contrast with the surface upon which it is mounted.
D. 
Only those numbers in compliance with this chapter may be posted.
E. 
All residences or structures located where curbs are provided shall also make visible on that said curb the address of the residence or structure, unless otherwise specified by the neighborhood covenant.
[Ord. 937-2001, 2-5-2001]
The designated City personnel shall give reasonable and proper notice to the owner and/or managing agent to number or renumber each building or structure in accordance with this chapter, where necessary for public safety. Said owner or managing agent shall have 30 days to comply commencing upon the provision of such notice. Any owner or managing agent, after having been so notified, whose property shall not be in compliance at the end of the thirty-day compliance period, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction shall be fined as provided in Section 1-108 of this Code.