Chapter 6 Mobility Standards Appendix Appendix 6D Louisville Metro Code of Ordinances Display of Address Numbers

POSTING OF ADDRESS NUMBERS

Editor's Note: This subchapter is based on Ord. 21-1982, adopted 5-19-82.

97.010 DEFINITIONS.

1. For the purposes of this ordinance, the following terms shall have their assigned meanings:
   
   COMMERCIAL or INDUSTRIAL STRUCTURE. Any building, structure, premises, or establishment used for commercial, industrial, or business enterprises as opposed to residential purposes.
   
   COMMISSION The Louisville/Jefferson County Planning Commission.
   
   FAMILY. One or more persons occupying residential premises and living as one housekeeping unit.
   
   FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT. Any lawfully created agency established for the ostensible purpose of fire suppression and enforcement of laws and regulations related to fire prevention, protection, and suppression.
   
   MULTIPLE-FAMILY DWELLING A building or portion thereof designed for or occupied by two or more families living independently of each other, and doing their own cooking in separate kitchens. It shall also include residential dwellings which are grouped or clustered on a single parcel of land such as a townhouse, rowhouse, or condominium development. The term multiple-family dwelling shall include but not be limited to apartments, apartment buildings, condominiums, duplexes and patio homes.
   
   REGULAR FIRE FIGHTER The regular members of a fire department in a Fire Protection District, except volunteer fire fighters, who have the same powers of arrest as now given by law to sheriffs of the Commonwealth in the manner prescribed in KRS 75.160.
   
   SINGLE-FAMILY DWELLING. A detached building designed for or occupied exclusively by one family.
   
   

(1994 Jeff. Code, § 97.10) (Jeff. Ord. 41-1996, adopted and effective 11-12-1996)

97.011 DISPLAY OF STREET ADDRESS NUMBER.

All residential, commercial, and industrial property located in Jefferson County, shall conspicuously display the appropriate street address approved or assigned by the Louisville/Jefferson County Planning Commission in accordance with §§ 97.030 through 97.042.

(1994 Jeff. Code, § 97.11) (Jeff. Ord. 41-1996, adopted and effective 11-12-1996)

97.012 SINGLE-FAMILY DWELLINGS.

1. All street address numbers for new single-family dwellings shall comply with the following requirements, except as explicitly set forth herein. Numbers always must be clearly visible to vehicles traveling in either direction on the nearest fronting road, in addition to all of the following:
   1. Form.
      1. Standard Arabic numerals (numbers shall not be written out);
      2. In a color distinguishable from its background;
      3. At least four inches in height, unless:
         1. Street numbers posted prior to the effective date of §§ 97.012 and 97.013 that were in compliance with previous ordinance requirements as to numeral height will be considered to remain in compliance, until they are removed for any reason, including routine maintenance or replacement;
         2. Street numbers that are constructed of laser-cut masonry may be allowed at the height of the cut brick, with a minimum height of three inches.
   2. Placement.
      1. Free and clear of any obstructions hindering clear visibility;
      2. Placed at, on, or about the front of the dwelling; however, numbers which are painted only on the road curb do not comply with this requirement; and
         1. Placed on the back of such buildings, garages, fences, or other structures on the property, if the back of the property abuts an unnamed alley;
         2. If dwelling sits back 100 feet or more from the nearest fronting road, thenumbers may be a minimum of three inches in height and permanently affixed to the mailbox, or, if there is no mailbox available on the fronting road, to a freestanding sign that is:
            1. Located no closer than 6 feet, and no more than 12 feet from the driveway; and
            2. At least 18 inches in height.

(1994 Jeff. Code, § 97.12) (Jeff. Ord. 41-1996, adopted and effective 11-12-1996; Lou. Metro Am. Ord. No. 224-2003, approved 12-15-2003)

97.013 MULTIPLE-FAMILY DWELLINGS.

1. All street address numbers for new multiple-family dwellings shall comply with the following requirements, except as explicitly set forth herein. Numbers always must be clearly visible to vehicles traveling in either direction on the nearest fronting road, in addition to all of the following:
   1. Form.
      1. Standard Arabic numeral form;
      2. In a color distinguishable from its background;
      3. At least six inches in height with regard to street address/building numbers, and four inches in height with regard to individual unit numbers in buildings with street address/building numbers also posted, unless:
         1. Street numbers posted prior to the effective date of §§ 97.012 and 97.013 that were in compliance with previous ordinance requirements as to numeral height will be considered to remain in compliance, until they are removed for any reason, including routine maintenance or replacement;
   2. Placement.
      1. Free and clear of any obstructions hindering clear visibility;
      2. Placed at, on, or about the front of the dwelling; however, numbers which are painted only on the road curb do not comply with this requirement; and
         1. Placed on the back of such buildings, garages, fences, or other structures on the property, if the back of the property abuts an unnamed alley;
         2. If dwelling sits back 100 feet or more from the nearest fronting road, or is not clearly visible to vehicles traveling in either direction on the nearest fronting road, the numbers shall be permanently affixed to a freestanding sign, or the owner of any such building may submit an alternate form of placement of street address/building numbers to the Fire Department or Fire District having jurisdiction, that is reasonably calculated to readily identify such buildings to emergency and public safety personnel. The parties shall work together to insure proper identification without undue expense to the owner. The written proposal shall be signed off by the Fire Department or Fire District once approved, and submitted to the Commission as proof of compliance with §§ 97.012 and 97.013.

(1994 Jeff. Code, § 97.13) (Jeff. Ord. 41-1996, adopted and effective 11-12-1996; Lou. Metro Am. Ord. No. 224-2003, approved 12-15-2003)

97.014 COMMERCIAL OR INDUSTRIAL STRUCTURES.

1. The street address number shall be placed at, on, or about the front of each individual commercial or industrial structure so it is clearly visible to vehicles traveling in either direction on the nearest fronting road or parking area and in order to insure prompt identification of the location of each separate building. The address shall be kept free and clear of any obstructions hindering clear visibility to vehicles traveling in either direction on the nearest fronting road or parking area.
2.  
   1. After the effective date of this ordinance, the street address numbers for all new commercial or industrial structures shall be in standard Arabic form of a size at least six inches in height or larger so as to be clearly visible to vehicles traveling in either direction on the nearest fronting road or parking area, and the street address number shall be in a color distinguishable from its background.
   2. All commercial or industrial structures in existence upon the effective date of this ordinance which have existing posted street address numbers in standard Arabic form of a size at least five inches in height shall be deemed in compliance with this ordinance unless:
      1. The street address number for such commercial or industrial structure is determined to be in violation of §§ 97.030 through 97.042; or
      2. The street address number is replaced as a result of routine maintenance, replacement, or for any other reason.
   3. In either event set forth in divisions (B)(2)(a) and (b) of this section, such commercial or industrial structure will be required to have at least six-inch Arabic numerals for its posted street address.
3. In the event that a commercial or industrial structure is more than 100 feet from the nearest fronting road or is otherwise not clearly visible from the nearest fronting road, the owner of such structure shall use a system of street address identification, approved by the Fire Protection District having jurisdiction, that is reasonably calculated to readily identify the structure to emergency and public safety personnel. The owner shall propose any such identification system in writing to the Fire Protection District having jurisdiction, and the Fire Protection District shall work with such owner to insure proper identification without undue expense to the owner. The Fire Protection District shall give written approval for any qualifying identification system, with a copy to the Commission, and such written approval shall be prima facie evidence of compliance with this ordinance.

(1994 Jeff. Code, § 97.14) (Jeff. Ord. 41-1996, adopted and effective 11-12-1996)

97.015 ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL.

1. The Code Enforcement Officer, or his authorized representatives, and all regular fire fighters are hereby designated as enforcement personnel for this ordinance, which shall be enforced with the intent to insure that each residential, commercial, and industrial structure in Jefferson County is clearly identified by its assigned street address in order to enable emergency and other public service personnel to promptly identify same at all times.
2. Prior to the issuance of any citations for violation of this ordinance, an enforcement officer shall deliver a written warning, either in person or by first class mail, which shall describe the violation and direct the correction of such violation within ten business days of the written notice. Thereafter, if subsequent inspection reveals the violation has not been corrected, then the enforcement officer shall issue a citation for the violation.

(1994 Jeff. Code, § 97.15) (Jeff. Ord. 41-1996, adopted and effective 11-12-1996)