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Chapter 24.75 Uniform Building Address System

City Code Chapter

24.75.010 Uniform System.

  1. A.  There is established a uniform system of numbering all buildings in separate ownership or occupancy in the City dividing the City into six addressing districts.  In establishing the system Williams Avenue, Naito Parkway, View Point Terrace and Tryon Creek State Natural Area and the centerline of the Willamette River southerly from Oregon Street and northerly from Clay Street, constitutes the north and south base line from which the numbers on all buildings running easterly and westerly from said streets must be extended each way, upon the basis of one number for each ten feet of property frontage, wherever possible, starting at the base line with the number 1 continuing with consecutive hundreds at each intersection, wherever possible.
  2. B.  All even numbers must be placed upon buildings on the southerly side of streets, avenues, alleys and highways, and all odd numbers must be placed upon buildings on the northerly side of streets, avenues, alleys and highways.  Burnside Street constitutes the east and west base line from which the numbers on all streets running north and south from said streets must be extended each way, upon the basis of one number for each 10 feet of property frontage, wherever possible, starting at the base line with number 1 and continuing with consecutive hundreds at each intersection, wherever possible.  All even numbers must be placed upon buildings on the easterly side of streets, avenues, alleys, and highways, and all odd numbers upon buildings on the westerly side of said streets, avenues, alleys, and highways.  Freestanding buildings on private streets that are separately owned or occupied must be separately numbered so as to most closely conform to this system.  Each portion of a building that is separately owned or occupied and has a separate entrance from the outside must have a separate number assigned to it.
  3. C.  Suffixes to Building Numbers.  Where building address requirements exceed numbers available within the numbering system, the City Administrator may use the suffix “A”, “B”, “C”, etc. as may be required to provide the numbering required by this Chapter.

24.75.020 Size and Location of Building Numbers.

All numbers placed in accordance with this Chapter must be permanently affixed to a permanent structure and of sufficient size and so placed as to be distinctly legible from the public way providing primary access to the building. All numbers must be posted as nearly as possible in a uniform place and positioned on the front of each building near the front entrance. Where outside illumination is provided, the numbers must be placed so as to be illuminated by the outside light. In instances where building mounted numbers are not distinctly visible from a public way, a duplicate set of numbers must be permanently affixed to a permanent structure at the primary entranceway to such property. If, in the judgment of the City Administrator, the numbering, sequence, legibility, size or location does not meet the requirements as set forth above, the property owner or agent will be notified and within 30 days must make such changes as required in the notification.

24.75.030 Administration.

The City Administrator will assign address numbers, keep records of address assignments, and exercise such other powers as are necessary to carry out the provisions of this Chapter.

24.75.040 Owner Responsibility.

Whenever any new building is erected, modified, or occupied in a manner requiring an address assignment, the owner or owner’s agent must procure the correct address number or numbers designated by the City Administrator and pay required fees.

The owner or agent must, prior to occupancy or within 30 days of assignment, whichever occurs later, place the assigned address number(s) upon the building or in a manner and location as provided in this Chapter.

24.75.050 Alteration of Building Number - Improper Number.

It is unlawful for any person to cause or knowingly permit a building number to be displayed that is different than that assigned pursuant to this Chapter. It is unlawful for any person to own or have possession of a building that does not display the number assigned pursuant to this Chapter in the manner provided by this Chapter.

24.75.060 Building Defined.

As used in this Chapter, building is any structure used or intended for supporting or sheltering any use or occupancy.

24.75.070 Enforcement.

The City Administrator will provide written notices to the owner of any building in violation of the provisions of this Chapter. The notice will state the violations existing and specify the owner has 30 days to obtain compliance.

In the event the owner fails or neglects to comply with the violation notice in the prescribed time the City Administrator may gain compliance by:

  1. A. Instituting an action before the Code Enforcement Hearings Officer as provided in Title 22 of the City Code, or
  2. B. Causing appropriate action to be instituted in a court of competent jurisdiction, or
  3. C. Taking such other action as the City Administrator deems appropriate.
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