2021-04-05 Ordinance Regulating Addressing and Road Naming in Person County (Revised)An Ordinance Regulating Addressing and Road
Naming in Person County
v. April 5, 2021
Adopted by the Person County Board of County Commissioners on September 23, 2013.
Amended:
(1) September 4, 2018 (Added definition of structure and requires them to be addressed, requires addresses displayed
prior to first inspection, for new projects at existing structures allows Inspector to fail an inspection if address not
posted, requires all new RV parks/travel trailer parks to have 911 addresses for each permanent lot, requires posted
addresses to be visible in all lighting and weather conditions.)
(2) April 5, 2021 (Removed section referencing road sign fees to reflect current practices, changed the percentage from
75% to 66% of property owners who must be in agreement for a road renaming, removed duplicative terminology, and
standardized language throughout.)
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Table of Contents
Article I. Title, Authority, Purpose, and Jurisdiction ................................................................................................................ 3
SECTION 101. Title .............................................................................................................................................................. 3
SECTION 102. Purpose ........................................................................................................................................................ 3
SECTION 103. Authority ...................................................................................................................................................... 3
SECTION 104. Jurisdiction ................................................................................................................................................... 4
Article II. Definition of Terms ................................................................................................................................................. 4
Article Ill. Administration ....................................................................................................................................................... 6
Article IV. New Street Naming ................................................................................................................................................ 7
SECTION 401. Street Names ............................................................................................................................................... 7
SECTION 402. New Street Names ....................................................................................................................................... 7
SECTION 403. Subdivisions with Proposed New Streets .................................................................................................... 9
SECTION 404. Road Suffixes ............................................................................................................................................... 9
SECTION 405. Street Directionals ........................................................................................................................................ 9
SECTION 406. Renaming Streets ....................................................................................................................................... 10
SECTION 407. Street Renaming Guidelines and Limitations ............................................................................................ 10
SECTION 408. Notice ........................................................................................................................................................ 11
Article V. Street Numbering and Address Assignment ......................................................................................................... 11
SECTION 501. Application .................................................................................................................................................. 11
SECTION 502. Basic guidelines to follow when numbering/addressing streets ............................................................... 11
SECTION 503. When a street must be renumbered .......................................................................................................... 12
SECTION 504. Display of street address numbers ............................................................................................................. 13
Article VI. General Standards ........................................................................................................................................... 14
Article VII. Enforcement ................................................................................................................................................... 14
Article VIII. Appeals ........................................................................................................................................................... 14
Article IX. Amendment Procedure .................................................................................................................................... 15
Article X. Liability .............................................................................................................................................................. 15
Article XI. Separability ...................................................................................................................................................... 15
Article XII. Conflict ............................................................................................................................................................ 15
Article XIII. Effective Date ................................................................................................................................................. 15
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Whereas, the Person County Board of Commissioners previously adopted the Road Naming ordinance and the House,
Building and Mobile Home Numbering ordinance on August 2, 1993, and
Whereas, the Person County Board of Commissioners finds it prudent to coordinate, revise, update and consolidate all
road naming and addressing ordinances into a single document.
Then, now therefore be it resolved by the Person County Board of Commissioners that the Board of Commissioners
hereby adopts the ordinance as follows:
Article I. Title, Authority, Purpose, and Jurisdiction
SECTION 101. Title
This Ordinance shall be known and may be cited as the Road Naming and Addressing Ordinance for the County of
Person, North Carolina.
SECTION 102. Purpose
The purpose and intent of this ordinance is to hereby establish a uniform system of road naming and renaming along
both public and private roads. It also provides for a uniform system of addressing and numbering all structures within
the jurisdiction of the County, and to establish a process for changing existing addresses and road names so that street,
road, and highway names are not duplicated, or phonetically similar, in the County. The ordinance provides a method to
correct inaccurate addresses that will help to greatly improve emergency service response to all parts of the County.
Standard addressing rules will provide guidelines for assigning 911 address numbers and road names. A standard
database format for recording address information will simplify the maintenance, exchange, and interpretation of
address information between governmental agencies and the community.
An additional purpose of this ordinance is to ensure that road name identification signs are placed at all road
intersections. It also establishes a procedure for reviewing road names. This is necessary to facilitate public safety and
emergency response service in locating properties and structures for service to the public.
Finally, this ordinance is further designed to establish an official map and Master Address Repository (MAR) of all
addresses and roads in Person County.
SECTION 103. Authority
This ordinance is hereby adopted under the authority and provisions of General Statutes of North Carolina GS 153A-238
and 153A-239.l(a) and GS 147-54.7, and the Police Powers of the county to protect the health, safety and welfare of its
citizens.
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SECTION 104. Jurisdiction
The provisions and regulations provided by this Ordinance shall apply within the ordinance-making jurisdiction of Person
County. Application of this Ordinance within a municipal jurisdiction shall require a mutually-entered intergovernmental
agreement between said municipality and Person County.
Article II. Definition of Terms
For the purposes of this Ordinance, certain terms or words used herein shall be defined as follows:
911 Address -The confirmed address for a building previously assigned a preliminary address and physically verified by
the Address Coordinator.
Address Coordinator-The official or officials of Person County charged with the administration of this ordinance.
Board of Commissioners -Person County Board of Commissioners
Building -Any structure having a roof supported by columns or by walls, and intended for shelter, housing or enclosure
of persons, animals, chattels or equipment. For the purposes of this Ordinance, the term "building" may also include
other man-made structures.
Building Number -Number assigned to any house, residence, dwelling, business, warehouse, or other structure or
property in a sequential manner.
Department of Transportation (DOT or NCDOT) -North Carolina Department of Transportation
Developer-A person, firm or corporation submitting an application for development for a subdivision, planned unit
development, industrial park or mobile home park and upon whom final responsibility for ensuring compliance with the
terms and conditions of this Ordinance rests.
Driveway -A private way beginning at the property line of a lot abutting a public road, private road, easement or private
right-of-way giving access from that public road, recorded easement, recorded private road or private right-of-way, and
leading to a building or structure on that lot.
Dwelling, Single-Family -A building arranged or designed to be occupied by one (1) family.
GIS Department -Person County Geographic Information Services Department
Inspections Department -Person County Inspections Department
Mailing Address -Assigned or used by the U.S. Postal Service for the purpose of delivery of the U.S. Mail. Mailing
Addresses may or may not be identical to 911 addresses.
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Master Address Repository (MAR) -An authoritative database of addresses, roads, intersections, and other landmarks
used by County agencies such as the Tax Department, Inspections Department, and Emergency Communications. (added
09/04/2018)
Master Street Address Guide (MSAG) -Consists of the road name, addresses and emergency providers for that range.
This lookup became the key step for Enhanced 9-1-1.
Mobile Home -A portable manufactured housing unit designed for transportation on its own chassis and placement on a
temporary or semi-permanent foundation having a measurement of 32 feet or more in length and 8 feet or more in
width. As used in this Ordinance, mobile home also means a double-wide mobile home which is two or more portable
manufactured housing units designed for transportation on their own chassis, which connect on site for placement on a
temporary or semi-permanent foundation having a measurement of 32 feet or more in length and 8 feet or more in
width.
Mobile Home Park -Shall be the land leased or rented, being used or proposed to be used by mobile homes occupied for
dwelling or sleeping purposes.
Mobile Home Space -Any parcel of ground within a mobile home park designed for the exclusive use of one mobile
home.
Multi-family dwelling -A building arranged or designed to be occupied by more than one (1) family.
Official Address -An address assigned by the Address Coordinator for development or emergency response purposes.
Equivalent to a 911 address.
Official Roadway Name -The name of any roadway in the unincorporated area of Person County as approved by the
Address Coordinator.
Planning Department -Person County Planning and Zoning Department
Preliminary Address -An assigned address, calculated by the approximate location of a structure to its associated
roadway. Subject to change through physical verification of the structure by the Address Coordinator.
Private Mobile Home Park Road -Any street, roadway or driveway which serves two or more mobile homes for
residential purposes, and which has not been dedicated to the public use.
Private Road -A road not maintained by the North Carolina Department ofTransportation which is not intended to
become a public road but which shall be used for access to a particular site, group development or business.
Public Road -A road located on public right-of-way and which meets the total improvement requirements for a public
road as set forth by the North Carolina Department of Transportation in its publication "Subdivision Roads -Minimum
Construction Standards".
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Recreational Vehicle (RV) -motor vehicles and trailers which include living quarters designed for temporary
accommodation. Also called travel trailers.
Road Name -The official name of any roadway, designated by the Board of Commissioners, other locally elected bodies,
or, in the case of public roads, by the North Carolina Department of Transportation.
Roadway -Any road, street, drive, lane, cart way, tram way, easement, right-of-way, access area, thoroughfare,
highway, boulevard, or any other corridor used for or having the potential use as a means of conveyance by a motor
vehicle.
State Road Number -A number assigned by the North Carolina Department of Transportation; also known as the SR
number for secondary state-maintained roads.
Structure-Something built or constructed including, but not limited to, residential, commercial, industrial, or
institutional facilities, other buildings, permanent signs, bridges, dams, and infrastructure facilities. (added 09/04/2018)
Suffix -The term used after a road name. Approved suffixes are outlined in Article IV, Section 404 of this Ordinance.
Travel Trailer -A vehicular portable structure less than 32 feet in length primarily designed as a temporary dwelling for
travel, recreation or vacation uses. Also called recreational vehicles (RV).
Travel Trailer Park -A parcel of land designed and equipped to accommodate travel trailers and RVs.
Article III. Administration
The Official Addressing and Road Naming Authority in Person County, NC -The Person County Board of Commissioners
hereby assigns overall authority and responsibility for addressing and naming of both public and private roads as
directed by the provisions of this ordinance to the Address Coordinator. It shall be the duty of the Address Coordinator
and in accordance with the general direction of the Board of Commissioners, County Manager and GIS Department to
assign a new address when a structure is being built, or for any reason a 911 address is required, and prepare and
maintain the MAR for the County*. It shall be the duty of the Address Coordinator from time to time, and upon request,
to review road number assignments, resolve conflicts in address numbering, reassign numbers or propose any changes
which, in his/her opinion, are necessary for the public safety, welfare and mail delivery. This includes any authorized
staff representative acting on the Coordinator's behalf, and hereby assigns overall authority and responsible for all
activities necessary for the enforcement, interpretation and administration of this Ordinance to the Address
Coordinator. The Address Coordinator is assigned by the 911 Communications Manager for Person County.
* It shall be the duty of the GIS Department to maintain the database required for the implementation of the
aforementioned MAR. As such, the Address Coordinator and GIS Department recognize and agree to a separately
defined Memorandum of Understanding outlining a well-regulated relationship between the two parties concerning
equipment usage, data collection, data entry and data maintenance standards.
Further, requests or petitions for changing road names will be filed with the Address Coordinator who will then transmit
such requests to the necessary departments for approval. The Address Coordinator will prepare a recommendation to
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the Board of Commissioners for each request within sixty (60) days of its filing. The Board of Commissioners shall
schedule a time to hold a public hearing on the matter.
Pursuant to General Statutes of North Carolina GS 153A-238 and G.S. 153A-239.1(a), the Board of Commissioners shall
at least 10 days before the day of the public hearing, cause notices of the time, place and subject matter of the hearing
to be prominently posted at the county courthouse and in at least two public places in the township or townships where
the said street is located, and shall publish a notice of such hearing in a newspaper of general circulation published in
the county. The Address Coordinator responsibilities are:
A. Assigning 911 addresses for structures of any kind within the jurisdiction of the county. (amended to include
structures 09/04/2018)
B. Keeping a record of the date, copy of the notation, and the 911 address to which the new address was assigned.
C. Recommending change of existing 911 addresses when necessary to facilitate sequential building numbers along a
road. (Structures will be numbered according to a lineal system in which all numbers are assigned consecutively
from the beginning of a road along its length to its end without regard to how it integrates with the rest of the rural
area.)
D. Designating individual unit addresses within the multiple housing units in conformity with this Ordinance
(Apartment Complexes and Mobile Home Parks).
E. Ensuring that all roads which require naming have road identification signs, and that all signs are uniform in
construction, that all signs are placed at proper locations and properly installed, and that all signs that are either
destroyed or lost are reinstalled in a timely manner.
F. The Address Coordinator will provide official addresses for each building or structure to the Person County Tax
Administration Department.
G. The Address Coordinator will be responsible for compiling the Master Street Address Guide (MSAG) as required for
the E911 Database.
H. The Address Coordinator will be the agent assigned for all activities necessary for the interpretation and
administration of this Ordinance.
Article IV. New Street Naming
SECTION 401. Street Names
The names of streets currently in place and listed in the Master Street Address Guide (MSAG) that are located within the
jurisdiction of Person County, whether public or private, shall not be changed by any methods except those set forth in
this ordinance. A copy of this ordinance and a list of street names shall be forwarded to the Department of
Transportation pursuant to G.S. 153A-239.1.
SECTION 402. New Street Names
A. No new public or private streets shall be named without review and approval of the Address Coordinator.
B. The name of any new street, whether it is public or private, shall not duplicate or be phonetically similar to any
other street name within the entire county and a five-mile radius extending into adjacent counties; including
municipalities.
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C. Directional names cannot be part of any street name (examples -WESTOVER RD or NORTHFIELD DR are not
acceptable).
D. Alternate spelling and homonyms (dear and deer) are not acceptable. All street names must use the common
spelling as found in a standard dictionary.
E. Street names must not contain any punctuation or symbols. Only letters of the alphabet and blank spaces may be
included in street names.
F. Names that are numbers must be expressed as alphabet (spelled out) and not numeric (for example, Second Street
is acceptable, not 2nd Street). State and federal highways numbered are not to be used as names.
G. New subdivision streets, apartment complexes, recreational vehicle parks, and mobile home parks whether public or
private, shall be named when created through the subdivision process in accordance with those procedures outlined
in the Person County Subdivision Ordinance.
H. Private streets shall be required to be named and structures addressed off of them when they meet the minimum
standard of serving at least three (3) habitable structures and having a length of 200 feet or greater.
I. Those people who live on private streets that do not meet these minimum standards may be addressed off the
public street that it intersects.
J. This subsection shall not apply to the extension of existing streets, which should whenever possible be given the
same name.
K. "EXT" is not to be used as a suffix when a street is extended. Instead the name remains the same and the address
range extended to accommodate the new section or street.
L. Any roads or streets that make a directional change at an intersection of90 degrees must have a unique name after
each directional change.
M. Abbreviations of the main title of the street or road name cannot be used except for the following streets (MT for
Mount, ST for Saint, NC for North Carolina, I for Interstate, and US for United States).
N. A street with one name shall serve all multi-family dwelling complexes, including apartment complexes, townhouses
and condominium developments, and other similar uses unless the Address Coordinator finds that, in the interest of
public safety, the naming of more than one street in or near the development is warranted.
0. Street names must be limited to a maximum of twenty-one (21) characters to aid in keeping sign manufacturing
costs to a minimum.
P. Only one name may be assigned along a continuous roadway. Where permanent breaks in a street exist, a new
name must be assigned to each segment. A permanent break may consist of but is not limited to a river, stream,
and/ or intersecting street where continuous access is not available between the two (2) segments without using
another street.
Q. Approved street name suffixes may not be used as part of a street name (examples -DEER RUN DR or EAGLE WAY CT
are not acceptable).
R. Street name signs shall be erected at each street intersection where said streets having three or more lots are
proposed for development. The county will purchase and erect the street name signs in accordance with the Manual
of Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways 2009 edition, as amended:
Public Street Sign Color and Reflective Letters -Color of signs, white lettering on reflective Green
background.
Private Street Sign Color and Placement -Color of signs, white lettering on Blue reflective
background.
Street name signs installed in areas, which have not
been dedicated to public use.
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SECTION 403. Subdivisions with Proposed New Streets
For all subdivisions which are developed in conformance with the Person County Planning Ordinance and Subdivision
Regulations and in which new streets are proposed, the following items must be submitted to the Address Coordinator
for approval before any property can be subdivided and recorded:
A. A scaled map of the overall tract illustrating street layout,
B. The name proposed for each street identified on the map, and
C. An alphabetical list of the proposed street names, together with an alternate name for each name proposed.
The Address Coordinator will review the proposed street names for duplication and for overall compliance with
the street naming and numbering policy. The approved street names shall be included in the final plat submitted
for recordation. Note: Planned and approved subdivision streets that are designed and constructed to NC State
Department of Transportation standards will be recorded and marked as public roadways.
SECTION 404. Road Suffixes
The following road name suffixes and their official abbreviations must be used in the naming of new roads:
AV= Avenue-Any thoroughfare that is continuous and not limited to a single subdivision.
PT= Point-Street adjacent to a waterway.
BLVD= Boulevard-Street with a landscaped median dividing the roadway.
RD= Road-Any thoroughfare that is continuous and found mainly in the rural area of any county.
CT= Court-Permanently dead-end street or terminating in a cul-de-sac, not longer than 600 feet in length.
RUN= RUN-A straight street in an undeveloped area.
CIR= Circle-Discouraged but allowed, at discretion of the Address Coordinator.
ST= Street-Any thoroughfare that is continuous and used mainly in city and town.
DR= Drive-For a curving, continuous thoroughfare. This is the default suffix.
SQ= Square-Central Square set up for centralized development.
HWY= Highway-State, Interstate, or Federal Highway.
TER =Terrace-Curvilinear street of less than a 1,000 feet.
LN = Lane-A minor street.
TRC =Trace-Small community Street.
LOOP = LOOP-Street that loops around and terminates onto itself.
TRL =Trail-Street serving as a collector for one or more local thoroughfares.
PKWY= Parkway-Collector or arterial street with a raised median.
WAY= Way-A curvilinear street.
PL= Place-For a permanently dead-end street ending in a cul-de-sac, not longer than 660 feet in length.
SECTION 405. Street Directionals
Street Directionals can be used with the approval of the Address Coordinator based on the following standards:
A. Directions must be placed ahead of the street name in a separate field separate from the street name (for
example, E SMITH ST).
B. Directionals cannot be used as a suffix or placed after the street name.
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C. Directionals must be used in a complimenting set. If a North directional is used there must also be a South
directional. If an East directional is used their must be a West directional.
D. The prefix "N" (for North) shall be used for the northern portion of roadways having the same name.
E. The prefix "S" (for South) shall be used for the southern portion of roadways having the same name.
F. The prefix "E" (for East) shall be used for the eastern portion of roadways having the same name.
G. The prefix "W" (for West) shall be used for the western portion of roadways having the same name.
SECTION 406. Renaming Streets -Official Street Renaming Process in Person County
Existing street names may be changed for just cause. Examples of just cause are:
A. Property owners who want to have the name of a public or private street changed must submit a petition to the
Address Coordinator for verification. In addition to complying with Section 402 of this Ordinance the street
name must comply with GS 147-54.7. The Address Coordinator will make recommendations to the Board of
Commissioners after the following additional criteria have been met:
1. A petition should include the existing street name, the proposed street name, and the reasons why
the person(s) are requesting the change, the signatures of 66% of those persons owning property
adjacent to the street, and 66% of street frontage. (amended April 5, 2021)
2. In renaming streets, no requests will be considered that is a duplicate or phonetically similar to any
existing street name already established by this Ordinance, any subsequent ordinances, and
amendments thereto or within a municipality, city or town located in Person County, irrespective of
the use of a suffix such as street, drive, place, court, etc.
3. The Address Coordinator shall request a public hearing date be set by the Person County Board of
Commissioners and cause the same to be advertised pursuant to G.S. 153A-239.1(a).
4. Upon approval of the petitioned street name, by the Address Coordinator and Board of
Commissioners, the petitioners shall pay to Person County the cost of purchasing the new signs and
erecting them.
B. In the event an existing street name has jeopardized the public's health, safety, or general welfare by impeding
timely emergency response, or in the event an existing street name reasonably could be perceived to jeopardize
the public's health, safety, or general welfare by impeding timely emergency response.
SECTION 407. Street Renaming Guidelines and Limitations
When having to rename one of the streets with similar names consider the following circumstances:
A. In naming or renaming a public street, the county may not change the name, of any street name given to a
street by the Department of Transportation unless the Department of Transportation agrees to such changes.
The Address Coordinator and Board of Commissioners shall not change any number assigned to a street by the
Department of Transportation. The Address Coordinator and Board of Commissioners may give the street a
name in addition to its DOT Number.
B. Largest Impact -In most cases, the street with the larger number of homes, dwellings, or commercial structures
along the roadway should have priority and retain the name in order to minimize the number of people
affected.
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C. Oldest Street -When renaming either of the two streets will have an equal impact, the street that has been
consistently signed for the longest period of time should retain the name.
D. Historical Significance -In some cases, the street with a name of historical significance should retain the
disputed name.
SECTION 408. Notice
The Address Coordinator shall give notice following naming, or renaming of a public or private street, assigning or
reassigning street addresses on a public or private street(s), to the local Postal Service, to any major utilities serving the
addressed area, to any emergency services agency such as police, sheriff, fire departments and ambulance service with
jurisdiction over the addressed area. A copy of the newly assigned addresses will be forwarded to the Person County
School System, to the Board of Transportation, and to any city within five miles of the street.
Article V. Street Numbering and Address Assignment
SECTION 501. Application
The rules and guidelines in this section are designed to facilitate the proper assignment of addresses to properties for
every possible addressing scenario that occurs in Person County. Properties and structures must be assigned addresses
in a logical, easy to understand manner in order to help citizens and emergency personnel quickly locate people, places
and events.
A. When to assign addresses -When the proper governing body has approved a new street it must be assigned an
address range and each individual property with a structure must be assigned an official address in accordance
with the standards defined in this document. Addresses should not be assigned to structures that are simply
accessory to another structure or insubstantial in nature.
B. Street addressing process in Person County, NC -Address block ranges will be assigned to streets shown on
approved preliminary plans. Individual physical addresses must be assigned to lots and/or structures prior to
approval of final plan and/or the recordation offinal plat, and a copy of the final plat (preferred as an electronic
file (AutoCAD or GIS File)) must be submitted to the Address Coordinator.
SECTION 502. Basic guidelines to follow when numbering/addressing streets
The rules and guidelines in this section are designed to facilitate the proper assignment of addresses to properties for
every possible addressing scenario that occurs in Person County. Properties and structures must be assigned addresses
in a logical, easy to understand manner in order to help citizens and emergency personnel quickly locate people, places
and events.
A. Address Ranges -All required structures shall be assigned up to a five-digit number. No address range in Person
County shall conflict with another address range in a contiguous locality. For those rare duplicate street names
in the county, the address range will be different for each street. The range will be assigned consecutively for all
duplicate street names; however, the numbering of the second street will have a break of a minimum of one
thousand (1,000) addresses.
B. Addressing Interval -Building numbers shall be assigned consecutively so that a new address is created ideally
every 5.28 linear feet. Addresses will be assigned at the point of access or to a structure point along the front of
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the structure. If the driveway enters from the side or rear of the property, the structure shall be addressed on
the street that it fronts at the approximate middle of the structure.
C. Even and odd numbering. Odd numbered addresses shall be assigned to the left in the direction of increase and
even numbered addresses shall be assigned to the right in the direction of the increase.
D. Each mobile home, RV, and/or travel trailer within mobile home parks, travel trailer parks, and/or RV parks shall
be assigned a primary 911 address during the permitting process. Addresses shall be assigned from internal
drives, using even and odd numbering. A mobile home park owner may assign lot numbers, but the lot number
shall not be used in the address of the lot. (added 09/04/2018)
E. Addresses in Sequential Order. All addresses need to be in sequential numeric order, always increasing from the
point of origin, and should numerically balance on both sides of the street.
F. Addresses will be established as whole numbers and will not have fractions or decimals of a number.
G. Vacant Properties shall, upon request, be assigned addresses pre-development for location purposes only, but
once development occurs may have to be readdressed based on the final layout or plan.
SECTION 503. When a street must be renumbered -Official Street Renumbering Process in
Person County
It shall be the duty of the Address Coordinator from time to time, and upon request, to review street number
assignments, resolve conflicts in numbers assignment, reassign numbers, or propose any changes which, in their
opinion, are necessary. When due to conflicts, change in character or amount of occupancy of any block, it becomes
necessary to assign and reassign numbers within that block, it is the authority and responsibility of the Address
Coordinator to assign approved numbers to the owners and tenants of each structure involved. The Address Coordinator
will then notify the local postmaster having jurisdiction over that area of the address change.
1. Administration -When renumbering a street, it shall be renumbered in accordance to the numbering rules in this
document and in anticipation of possible future changes. Individual numbers can be changed by the Address
Coordinator and do not have to go through the process of a public hearing. When renumbering whole or large
sections of streets the Address Coordinator notifies all adjacent property owners of the proposed street numbering
change. A public hearing is then scheduled to discuss the proposed street numbering. At least 10 days before the
hearing, a notice of the subject matter shall be posted in the county courthouse, and in the local newspaper for
general circulation within the county.
2. Basic guidelines to follow when renumbering a street -Existing addresses may be changed for just cause.
Examples of just cause are:
A. Government-initiated address reassignment to secure the public's health, safety and general welfare. In the
event an existing address has jeopardized the public's health, safety, or general welfare by impeding timely
emergency response, or in the event an existing street name reasonably could be perceived to jeopardize the
public's health, safety, or general welfare by impeding timely emergency response.
B. Area where no addresses were left for vacant lot(s) or new development.
C. If the street name has officially been changed.
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SECTION 504. Display of street address numbers
The owner, occupant or agent of the affected structure shall place or cause to be placed upon each structure the
numbers assigned under the addressing system as provided in this article. The following criteria must be used to
properly display the number:
A. The cost of the number shall be paid for by the property owner and may be procured from any source
(examples: hardware store or volunteer fire department). Such number or numbers shall be placed on existing
buildings within 30 days from the date of notification.
B. The numbers shall be conspicuously placed immediately above, on, or at the side of the proper door of each
building so that the number can be seen plainly from the street on which the number is based. Whenever any
building is situated more than one hundred (100) feet from the street front, and the number is not clearly
discernible from the street line, or vision of the building from the streets is otherwise obscured, the number
assigned shall be placed on a sign (minimum of six (6) inches x eighteen (18) inches) attached near the walk,
driveway or common entrance to such buildings, and affixed upon the gatepost, fence, post or other
appropriate place so as to be easily discernible, and clearly identifies the entrance to a property. Alternatively,
numbers can be posted on an individual US mailbox or US mailbox stand/post for the building if:
1. The US mailbox is distant and separate from any other US mailbox so as to eliminate confusion as to
specific ownership, and;
2. The US mailbox is located adjacent to the driveway or access to said structure, and;
3. That said 911 address numbers are affixed to the US mailbox or US mailbox post/stand in such a
manner as to be visible in all lighting and weather conditions and readable from any and/or all
directions from the road which it fronts, and; (amended to include lighting and weather conditions
09/04/2018)
4. That said address numbers on the US mailbox or US mailbox post/stand are no less than three (3)
inches in height.
Numbers painted or stenciled on the curb shall not be a lawful substitute for the display of address
numbers prescribed by this section.
C. Address numbers must be a minimum of six (6) inches in height for residential uses and shall be placed on the
front of the building facing the street or on the end of the building nearest the street so as to be visible from the
street on which the property fronts.
D. Numbers for multiple dwelling units and nonresidential structures shall be at least ten (10) inches in height and
shall be placed on the front of the building facing the street or on the end of the structure nearest the street in
which the structure is accessed.
E. All numbers must be made of a durable, clearly visible material and must contrast with the color of the
structure. Reflective numbers for nighttime identification are strongly recommended.
F. When a structure is built on a corner lot, the address shall be assigned, from the street that the structure faces
(front of the structure).
G. Address numbers should be plain block numeric numbers and not in alpha print or any type of script writing.
H. The Address Coordinator or the Board of Commissioners will have the right to authorize and approve alternate
methods of displaying 911 address numbers on existing and new structures that meet the intent of this
Ordinance.
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Article VI. General Standards
It shall be unlawful for any person(s) without the written consent of Person County to:
A. Name or designate the name of any public road, neighborhood public road, private subdivision street or private
mobile home park road, in the unincorporated areas.
B. Erect any street sign on any public road, neighborhood public road, private subdivision street or private mobile
home park road in the unincorporated areas of Person County, without the written approval of the Planning
Department.
C. Erect any street sign on any roadway, public or private, in Person County, which does not meet the current
County sign specifications.
D. Remove, deface, damage, or obscure any number or sign in the jurisdiction of this Ordinance.
E. Number or assign a number to any structure without the written approval of Person County.
F. Name a private street or road which duplicates or is substantially similar to the name of an existing street or
road within Person County.
Article VII. Enforcement
A. Owners of proposed structures and structures already constructed will be required to comply with this
ordinance. Those person(s) who do not comply with this ordinance will be notified, in writing specifying the
nature and extent of the non-compliance, and requested by the Address Coordinator to meet the requirements
within 30 days from the date of notification delivery. If the owner does not comply voluntarily with this
Ordinance within 30 days of receiving delivery of the notice by registered or certified mail or by hand delivery,
enforcement action pursuant to G.S. 153A-123 may be initiated. A fine of twenty-five dollars ($25) shall be
imposed on the property owner for each day that the address is not posted.
B. No building permit shall be issued until an official address has been assigned for a lot.
C. For all new construction, display of a 911 address is required at the time of the first inspection. (added
09/04/2018)
D. For structure additions, modifications, upgrades, or other activities requiring a permit from the Inspections
Department, a 911 address must be displayed prior to passing the final inspection. (added 09/04/2018)
E. The certificate of occupancy for any structure erected, repaired or modified after the effective date of this
Ordinance shall be withheld by the Inspections Department until the address is posted on the structure as
outlined in this Ordinance.
F. Any violation of the provisions of this Ordinance not specifically addressed in Article VII A., shall be guilty of a
misdemeanor and shall be subject to a fine of not more than fifty dollars ($50) or imprisonment of not more
than thirty (30) days, as provided by North Carolina General Statutes 14-4C. Violations of this Ordinance may
also be subject to further civil remedies as set forth in North Carolina General Statutes 153A-123.
Article VIII. Appeals
Appeals of proposed street renaming/renumbering, individual addressing number changes or denial of a street name
request must be filed with the Address Coordinator, in writing, within thirty (30) days of written notification of required
owner action. In the event of a denial of an appeal by the Address Coordinator, individuals affected by proposed
changes or denials may file a final appeal to the Board of Commissioners. This final appeal must be filed in writing within
30 days of the denial with the Address Coordinator and will be placed on the next available Board of Commissioners
meeting agenda.
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Article IX. Amendment Procedure
The provisions of this ordinance may from time to time be amended, supplemented, changed, modified, or repealed by
the Board of Commissioners. The Board of Commissioners, upon review and recommendation of the Address
Coordinator, may also authorize a variance from these regulations when in its opinion the interests of the public would
best be served by such variance.
Article X. Liability
Person County, its officers, agents or employees, together with any person following their instructions in rendering
services, are not liable for civil damages as a result of an act or omission under this Ordinance, including but not limited
to, developing, adopting, operating, or implementing an addressing system or plan. Person County will not be held
responsible or liable from owners or occupants for personal injury or damage to buildings or dwellings constructed
which do not comply with this ordinance.
Article XI. Separability
All provisions in other Ordinances for Person County in conflict with this Ordinance are hereby repealed. Should any
section or provision of this Ordinance be declared by the courts to be unconstitutional or invalid, such decisions shall not
affect the validity of the Ordinance as a whole, or any part thereof other than the part so declared to be unconstitutional
or invalid.
Article XII. Conflict
Insofar as the provisions of this Ordinance are inconsistent with the provisions or any other law except a provision of
state or federal law, the provisions of this Ordinance shall control.
Article XIII. Effective Date
This Ordinance shall take effect upon final adoption by the Person County Board of Commissioners.
Adopted, this the 5th day of April, 2021.
Attest:
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Brenda B. Reaves, Clerk to the Person
County Board of County Commissioners
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PERSON COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
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Gordon Powell, Chairman