The owner, agent, lessee or person in charge of each and every building
shall cause to be placed or affixed on the fanlight, on the door or on some
conspicuous place the proper street number or numbers of the building as designated
by the Department of Public Works in figures at least four inches in height,
and shall have the same kept and retained or renewed thereon, so that the
same may at all times by legible; provided, however, that where a residence
or building used for residential purposes is set back from the street line
more than 25 feet, then such number or numbers may, at the option of the owner,
agent, lessee or person in charge of such residence or building be placed
or affixed and kept retained or renewed on a gatepost, fence or other object
near the street line of the premises. In addition to the placing and maintenance
of house numbers as herein provided, a householder may paint or stencil on
the vertical face of the curb in front of his house the official house number,
provided that the figures are of modern Roman type, about three inches and
not less than two inches in height and are white on a black background.
In all cases where a street shall have been numbered or renumbered,
the Commissioner of Public Works shall thereafter adjust and renumber such
street as the same may be required from time to time. In numbering and renumbering
houses, he shall leave sufficient numbers on each block so that, under any
circumstances, there would be but one block where a change would be required
in case of renumbering at any subsequent time.
An offense against the provisions of this chapter shall be punishable
by a fine of not more than $250 or by imprisonment for not more than 15 days,
or both.