[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township
of Unity 12-21-2004 by Ord. No.
O-20-04. Amendments noted where applicable.]
The purpose and intent of this chapter is to provide a uniform
system of addressing for all properties and structures throughout
Unity Township in order to minimize the difficulty in locating properties
and buildings by fire department, ambulance, police, public safety
officials and/or other public service agencies responding to an emergency.
Words throughout this chapter shall have the following meanings
and pertain to this chapter only:
Any structure whether residential, commercial, industrial
or institutional in use or nature. Each portion of a building may
be deemed a separate structure for purposes of addressing and location.
A private road that has been assigned a name but is not serviced
or maintained by the Township.
Any site or tract of land upon which two or more manufactured
home spaces exist or are provided for manufactured home occupancy.
This does not include manufactured homes situated on lots for the
purpose of sale or inspection.
A group of two or more buildings that are similar or dissimilar
in use or nature but bear no names or distinctive markings so as to
be easily identified in the event of an emergency.
Any road that is maintained by the Township or other governmental
agency through the use of public funds.
The distance in feet measured from the edge of the paved
or unpaved street or road to a structure or another specified point
or object.
The combination of numbers and street or road name which
is used for the identification of a particular building or lot.
The ability of emergency personnel (fire, police, ambulance)
to usually observe the proper identification of the building or dwelling
unit from the street to which the building is addressed.
It shall be the duty of the owners of all structures and dwelling
units within the Township to post the proper identification of such
structures with the correct identification of such structures within
60 days following the enactment of this chapter or within 60 days
after the final designation and assignment of a street address, whichever
shall last occur, and of all future owners of such structures to post
proper identification prior to occupancy. Property owners shall thereafter
have the sole responsibility to properly maintain the condition, readability
and visibility of the addressing numbers and to remove any old identification
which is inconsistent with the proper identification.
A.
All
numbers on the exterior of structures shall be a minimum four inches
in height with a minimum width of one-half inch unless otherwise specified.
B.
All
numbers on the interior of structures (e.g., apartment and office
buildings) shall be at a minimum of three inches in height with a
minimum width of one-quarter inch.
C.
All
numbers located on buildings in multibuilding complexes shall be a
minimum of 12 inches in height.
D.
Colors
must sharply contrast with the background to which the numbers will
be affixed. Colors which provide a higher degree of visibility during
the evening and night hours, such as reflective colors, are encouraged
but not required.
E.
Street
address numbers required hereunder shall not be placed lower than
three feet nor higher than seven feet above the ground.
F.
Street
numbering signs located within 15 feet of the edge of a public roadway
shall be a minimum of three inches in height with a minimum width
of 1/2 inch.
[Added 6-27-2006 by Ord.
No. O-9-06]
A.
Visibility
is determined by factors, including but not limited to distinction
from the background upon which the address number is posted, distance
from the street, porches, trees and other objects that may prohibit
the ease of recognition of the posted number from the street. All
placement of street numbers shall enable visibility from the street
and emergency personnel (fire, police, ambulance) to use said posted
number to identify the building or dwelling unit from the street to
which the building is addressed.
B.
With
respect to buildings located within 50 feet of a public road, the
street numbers shall be placed within three feet of either side of
the door facing the street to which the building is addressed. If
such placement is not possible or visible due to the features of the
building, the street numbers may be placed on a porch post or other
support structure at the front of the building.
C.
With
respect to buildings located in excess of 50 feet of a public road,
the street numbers shall be placed using one of the following:
(1)
On both sides of the mailbox or both sides of the
mailbox post, on the same side of the street as the structure that
it serves;
(2)
On a post, sign or similar object erected clearly
in the front yard or to the side of the driveway servicing said building
or dwelling. The number must be visible and readable by vehicles approaching
the property from both directions of the street and shall observe
a minimum setback distance of six feet and a maximum setback distance
of 15 feet;
(3)
On existing fences or walls, by placing the street
numbers on the post closest to the driveway. When posting is on a
masonry wall, street numbers shall be placed within three feet from
the end of the wall nearest the driveway entrance.
D.
Buildings
that contain units that do not face the street to which they are addressed,
including but not limited to apartment buildings and office buildings,
must post a building directory near the main entrance facing the street
to which the units are addressed. Said directory may consist of a
map showing the locations and numbers of said units. The size and
content of the directory must be approved by the Code Enforcement
Officer prior to erection.
E.
In
addition to the foregoing, all buildings within multibuilding complexes,
whether residential or commercial, shall be identified with a building
number, conspicuously displayed at a location that can be readily
seen by emergency responders when entering and driving through the
complex.
F.
Manufactured
homes situated in parks, because of their positioning within the park
as it relates to the entrance of the structure, shall be required
to affix the addressing numbers at the end of the structure. In the
alternative, the property owner can install four-inch by four-inch
posts at the end of each manufactured home along the roadway and permanently
affix the corresponding addressing numbers to the post on two sides
of the post.
The Township is hereby authorized and directed to give notice,
by personal service, posting at the subject property, or by United
States mail, to the owner or occupant, or both, as the case may be,
by certified mail, of any premises that remains in violation of the
provisions of this chapter, directing and requiring such owner or
occupant to conform with the requirements of this section within five
days after issuance of such notice.
A.
In
case any person, firm or corporation shall neglect, fail or refuse
to comply with such notice within the period of time stated therein,
the Township may post or have posted said identification, as aforesaid;
the cost thereof, together with any additional payment authorized
by law, may be collected by the Township from such person, firm or
corporation in the manner provided by law for the collection of municipal
claims or by an action of assumpsit.
B.
In
addition to the other powers herein set forth for the violation of
this chapter, the Township may institute proceedings in courts of
equity.
