[Adopted 5-28-1996; amended 2-23-1999; 5-25-1999]
The purpose of this article is to enhance the easy and rapid location of properties by law enforcement, fire, rescue, postal and emergency medical services personnel in the Town of Sanford
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.
Except as provided in § 226-22, this article shall be administered by the Planning Board and the Code Enforcement Officer; provided that the Town Council shall have final authority to assign road names and numbers to all properties, both on existing and proposed roads, in accordance with the criteria in §§ 226-17 and 226-18. The Planning Board and Code Enforcement Officer shall also be responsible for maintaining the following official records of this article:
A. 
A Sanford map for official use showing road names (both public and private roads) 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 (both public and private) with property owners listed in order of their assigned numbers.
[1]
Editor’s Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).
A. 
All roads that serve two or more properties shall be named regardless of whether the ownership is public or private. "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 Sanford shall not constitute or imply acceptance of the road as a public way.
B. 
The following criteria shall govern, on a prospective basis, the naming system:
(1) 
New roads shall not be assigned a name that already exists in the same zip code area (e.g., no Pine Road and Pine Lane).
(2) 
New roads shall not be assigned names that sound similar to existing or proposed roads. (e.g., Beech Street and Peach Street).
(3) 
Each road shall have the same name throughout its entire length.
A. 
Where practicable, 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.
B. 
The following criteria shall govern, on a prospective basis, the numbering system:
(1) 
All number origins shall start from Main Street and work out east and west or from Route 202 and work out north and south as appropriate based upon the location and orientation of the road. Address orientation for new through streets may be configured to maintain consistency with nearby through streets. The numbering origin for Main Street shall begin at the Sanford/Shapleigh town line and proceed to the Sanford/Wells town line. For dead-end roads and culs-de-sac, numbering shall originate at the intersection of the adjacent road and terminate at the dead-end or cul-de-sac terminus. For loop roads that begin and end on the same street, addressing shall begin from the intersection with the lower address range.
(2) 
The number assigned to each structure shall be that of the numbered interval falling closest to the front door. If the front door cannot be seen from the main road, the number shall be that of the interval falling closest to the driveway of said structure.
(3) 
A structure with one use or occupancy on an individual lot shall have a separate number for the use or occupancy (e.g., single-family dwelling, restaurant, etc.).
(4) 
New buildings with two or more residential units shall have a single numeric street address with individual unit numbers (e.g., 275 Smith Street, Unit 1, Unit 2, Unit 3, etc.). Where individual units are accessed from an interior hall, the odd unit numbers shall be on the right side of the hall from the main entrance and even number units on the left side of the hall from the main entrance.
(5) 
New nonresidential buildings with separate occupancies shall have a single numeric street address with individual suite numbers for each occupancy. The first occupied floor at street level shall use a 100 series, the second occupied level shall use a 200 series, etc. (e.g., 351 Jones Way, Suite 100, 101, 102, Suite 200, 201). Floors to be occupied that are below the street level shall use a two-digit series (e.g., 351 Jones Way, Suite 10, 11, 12). Where individual suites are accessed from an interior hall, the odd unit numbers shall be on the right side of the hall from the main entrance and even number units on the left side of the hall from the main entrance.
(6) 
Multiple buildings on one lot shall have one street address with separate building designations (e.g., 65 Smith Street, Building No. 1, Building No. 2, etc.) followed by the unit or suite numbers where applicable.
(7) 
The Code Enforcement Officer may deviate from the procedures provided above when necessary to accommodate unique circumstances. Such deviation shall be the minimum necessary to resolve the situation and maintain compliance with § 226-14 above.
All owners of structures shall, by the date stipulated in § 226-21, 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.
B. 
Number on 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, mailbox, or on some structure at the property line on the same side of the road as the residence or structure next to the access drive to the residence or structure. Where no access drive exists, the assigned number shall be placed adjacent to the walkway to the main entrance.
C. 
Size and color of number. Numbers shall be displayed in a color (contrasting to background) and size (no less than three inches high) and shall be located to be visible from the road as required by this article.
D. 
The property owner shall be responsible for displaying the assigned number and shall remove any different number that might be mistaken for or confused with the number assigned in conformance with this article.
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 Code Enforcement Officer. This shall be done at the time of the issuance of the building permit. For new structures numbering will be installed before final inspection or when the structure is first used or occupied, whichever comes first. During construction the site shall be identified with the assigned number through a temporary posting of the assigned number near the working vehicle access point from the road. It shall be the duty of the property owner to notify the post office of a new address at least 30 days before the effective date of its use.
B. 
New subdivisions.[1] Any prospective subdivider shall show a proposed road name and lot numbering system in the preapplication submission to the Planning Board. Approval by the Town Council, after consultation with the Code Enforcement Officer and the Planning Board, shall constitute the assignment of road names 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.[2]
[1]
Editor's Note: See also Ch. 275, Subdivision of Land.
[2]
Editor’s Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).
This article shall become effective as of July 1, 1999, and shall apply to all properties, even those in existence at the time of adoption of this article. At such time that the Town of Sanford notifies property owners of new road names and addresses as approved pursuant to the February 23, 1999, Town Meeting vote, property owners shall have 60 days to post the address(es) in compliance with this article.
It shall be the duty of the Code Enforcement Officer to enforce the provisions of this article. If the Code Enforcement Officer shall find that any provision of this article is being violated, he shall notify the person responsible for such violation in writing indicating the nature of the violation and ordering the necessary action to correct it. Any person aggrieved by a decision of the Code Enforcement Officer may appeal such decision to the Town Council within 30 days after notice of the decision.
[1]
Editor’s Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).
Any person, firm or corporation being the owner or having control or use of any building or premises that violates any of the provisions hereof shall be subject to a fine of not less than $50 nor more than $100 and appropriate injunctive relief. Each day such violation is permitted to continue after notification thereof shall constitute a separate offense.