HomeMy WebLinkAboutCivic Addressing Policy 2025
Municipality of Bayham
Civic Addressing Policy
1.0 DEFINITIONS & INTERPRETATION
Wherever a word is used in this Policy with its first letter capitalized, the
term is being used as it is defined in this Section. Where any word appears
in ordinary case, its regularly applied meaning in the English language is
intended. Defined terms may be used throughout this policy in different
grammatical contexts.
1.1. Building – means the principal structure or structures on a property, and
includes a dwelling, business premises, school, place of public assembly,
place of worship, hospital, arena, retirement or nursing home, or building
associated with an agricultural use unless a dwelling or business
premises is situated on the same property as such building.
1.2. Chief Building Official – means the Chief Building Official of The
Corporation of the Municipality or designate.
1.3. Civic Address - means the Civic Number, including the Unit number and
letter where applicable, and road name assigned to a particular Building
or lot.
1.4. Civic Number - means the number (including the unit number and letter,
where applicable) assigned by the Municipality for the purpose of
identifying the Building, dwelling or lot.
1.5. Highway - means a common and public highway or a portion thereof
under the jurisdiction of the Municipality, County, or Province and includes
any bridge, trestle, viaduct or other structure forming part of the highway.
1.6. Manager of Public Works – means the Manager of Public Works of The
Corporation of the Municipality or designate.
1.7. Municipality - means the Corporation of the Municipality of Bayham.
1.8. Number Blade - means a sign that is affixed to a support structure adjacent
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to the Private Road or Highway for the purpose of displaying the Civic
Number of the Building or lot to which the sign relates (blue/white 9-1-1 sign).
1.9. Official Plan – means the Official Plan of the Municipality, as amended from
time to time.
1.10. Owner - means a person having any right, title, interest, or equity in land or
their agent.
1.11. Private Road - means single or multi-lane path accessible to vehicles that
is not under the jurisdiction of the Municipality, County, or the Province.
1.12. Property - means any land divided into lots as defined in the Land Titles
Act, 1990.
1.13. Public Road – means a single or multi-lane path accessible to vehicles that is under
the jurisdiction of the Municipality, County, or Province.
1.14. Road - means a Highway/Public Road or a Private Road.
1.15. Settlement Area – means a developed area of land on which Buildings
and/or non-building structures are present, and more specifically defined
as the lands identified as existing within the Settlement Areas of the
Official Plan.
1.16. Street/Road Name Sign – means a type of traffic sign used to identify
named roads and are most often found posted at intersections and are
usually in perpendicularly oriented pairs identifying each of the
intersecting Roads.
1.17. Unit - means an independently used space within a Building (e.g. a store
within a shopping plaza or an apartment within a residential complex).
2.0 PURPOSE
2.1. The purpose of this policy is to provide a uniform approach regarding assignment
of Civic Addresses within the Municipality.
2.2. The procedures to assign a Civic Address are established to provide an accurate
and simple system of property identification to assist with the delivery of
emergency and other services and which is capable of accommodating growth.
3.0 GENERAL SCOPE
3.1. That the procedures to assign a Civic Address is developed and the address
mapping prepared by the Municipality, as updated from time to time, be hereby
implemented to achieve a Municipal-wide system of property identification to
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assist with the delivery of emergency and other services which are adaptable to
future needs.
3.2. The policies outlined will, in the long term, provide the County of Elgin and local
municipalities with a complete and consistent system of property identification.
3.3. The system, as outlined in this framework, has seven general objectives:
(1) To develop an accurate, universally agreed upon system of property
identification.
(2) To provide assistance to emergency personnel.
(3) To be a simple, logical system, understandable by all user groups
including the general public.
(4) Be flexible, in order to allow for future growth and infilling.
(5) Be easily maintained at minimal cost.
(6) Be compatible with Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG911).
(7) Where feasible, to comply with previously adopted, existing Elgin County
municipal addressing guidelines.
4.0 GUIDING PRINCIPLES
4.1. Eligibility
(1) The Owner of the following types of properties shall be required to post an
identifying Civic Address:
a) Any property containing a residence (permanent, seasonal, or
otherwise);
b) Any government, commercial, industrial, recreational, religious and
educational property which has the facilities on the site from which to
report an emergency and/or to which there is a reasonable exception
that emergency vehicles could be dispatched;
c) Any property with facilities under construction;
d) The Municipality encourages voluntary addressing and identifying of all
vacant agricultural properties through the installation of Number Blades
at an approved Road entrance.
4.2. Property Identification Standards:
(1) Rural Areas
a) All rural properties must have a Number Blade on their own post.
Number Blades are to be installed on their own post, must be on
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private property and no more than 3 metres (10 feet) from the property
line and within 3 metres (10 feet) of the edge of the driveway
(unobscured by mailboxes, hedges, vegetation, etc.), perpendicular to
the fronting Road. The Number Blade must be a minimum of 1.4
metres (54 inches) above grade, and a maximum of 2 metres (6 feet, 6
inches) above grade.
b) In all cases, the first priority for a Number Blade and post placement
shall be clear visibility from both directions of the travelled portion of
the Road to allow reflection by the low beam of vehicle headlights and,
secondly, the post should be sufficiently far back to prevent damage by
Road maintenance activities.
c) The number blade shall be a minimum of 150mm (6 inches) in height x
360mm (14 inches) in width. The numbers shall be a minimum of
120mm (4.75 inches) high, reflective and on both sides of the plate on
which it is attached to.
d) The numbers shall be of white, engineering grade, reflectorized 3M
Scotchlite or approved equivalent over a blue, engineering grade,
reflectorized 3M Scotchlite or approved equivalent background.
e) IMPORTANT: Property owners are reminded to be aware of any
underground utilities before installing posts (i.e. gas, telephone, hydro,
fibre, etc.)
(2) Settlement Areas
a) New subdivisions, authorized under Section 50 of the Planning Act,
which exist within the settlement areas of Vienna and Port Burwell as
identified in the Official Plan, shall have numbers affixed to the main
Building/dwelling, if this is agreed in the subdivision agreement. These
numbers must be a minimum of 130 millimetres (5 inches) in height
and clearly visible from the Road, including at night. New subdivisions
in all other settlement areas as identified in the Official Plan shall be
assigned the Number Blade to be posted at the Road.
4.3. Time Limit
(1) Due to the importance of properly identifying properties (Emergency
response), residents will be required to erect or permanently attach (in
areas where this applies) to the Building the appropriate property
identification sign numbers bearing the Civic Address assigned by the
Municipality prior to receiving occupancy permits. Properties found to be
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occupied without appropriate Civic Addresses may be installed by the
Municipality at the Owner's expense.
(2) It is the responsibility of the Owner of the property to which the Civic
Number applies to ensure the upkeep and maintenance of ALL property
identification signs.
(3) Upon receipt of all applicable fees for Civic Addressing, pursuant to the
Municipality’s Rates & Fees By-Law, the Municipality shall supply and
install a post and Number Blade displaying the property’s designated Civic
Address.
5.0 GENERAL NUMBERING SYSTEM
5.1. The civic addressing system throughout the County generally follows the "Crown
Survey" within the County of Elgin. A sequence of numbers has historically been
assigned to each municipality, pre-amalgamation.
5.2. West-East numbers, in the County of Elgin, begin at a baseline west of the
County at 20,000. These numbers increase towards the east.
5.3. From a known point of origin (i.e. intersection, property line, or numbered
building), a linear measurement shall be taken parallel to the front property line,
to the centre of the driveway. When there are two or more driveways for a lot, the
address will be allocated based on the primary driveway access leading to the
main structure.
5.4. In assigning new Civic Addresses in rural areas, two Civic Numbers shall be
allotted for every 5 meters (16.5 feet) of frontage (one odd number and one even
number on each side).
5.5. In assigning new Civic Numbers in the settlement areas, Civic Numbers will
increase by intervals as determined by the Manager of Public Works.
5.6. As much as is practical in both rural and settlement areas, even Civic Numbers
shall be allotted for the east and north sides of the Road.
5.7. As much as is practical in both rural and settlement areas, odd Civic Numbers
shall be allotted for the west and south sides of the Road.
5.8. The same Civic Number shall not be repeated when the prefix to a Road name is
the same. For example, if there is a 510 Highland Road, there cannot be a 510
Highland Street.
Council Approved Nov 6/25 6
6.0 NEW ROADS
6.1. Upon creation of a plan of subdivision, consent, etc., a new Road may be
created based on the requirements of the Municipality’s Road Naming Policy.
6.2. The creation of Civic Numbers for a new Road will be based on this policy,
establishing a Civic Address for each property along the new Road.
7.0 GATED/PRIVATE ROADS (Created via Vacant Land Condo)
7.1. Properties located on a gated road will receive a Civic Number in the same
manner as properties on any other Roads.
7.2. If a gate is locked, the Municipality has the authority as per Section 436(1) of
the Municipal Act, 2001, as amended and Section 13(1) of the Fire Protection
and Prevention Act, of forcing entry to the property or until such a time as the
Owner is available to provide access.
8.0 BOUNDARY AND COMMON ROADS
8.1. Municipal boundary Roads may need to be numbered independently from
other Roads, to be consistent with neighbouring municipalities. In
circumstances where Road access to a property crosses a municipal
boundary, the Municipality will coordinate with the neighbouring municipality to
ensure consistency. Civic Numbers on both sides of the Road should be
uniform where possible.
9.0 MULTIPLE DWELLINGS
9.1. Additional Residential Units (ARU), Secondary Suites:
(1) In the Municipality where Number Blades are used, an ARU within a
dwelling shall have the Number Blade affixed in a permanent fashion at
the Road and on the front of the primary dwelling in accordance with
signage standards in Section 9.1 (7) with a directional indicator showing
the location of the ARU at the side or at the rear of the dwelling to the
satisfaction of the Chief Building Official.
(2) In the Municipality where Number Blades are not used and numbers
are affixed to the front of the dwelling, ARUs shall be numbered in
accordance with signage standards in Section 9.1 (6) with a directional
indicator showing the location of the ARU at the side or at the rear of
the dwelling to the satisfaction of the Chief Building Official.
(3) In the case of detached ARUs on a property, approved signage is
required to be near the front door of the primary dwelling showing that
there is an ARU around the side or rear of the building and additional
signage on the front of the detached ARU.
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(4) ARUs shall be numbered in the following manner:
a) ####-1 (main floor units)
b) ####-2. (for basement units)
c) ####-3 (for second storey units)
d) ####-4 (for detached accessory units)
(5) Multiple separate dwellings on the same level will be identified by unit
letters along with the numbering outlined above. (e.g. Two units on the
main floor of a residence would be identified as: 5668-1A Named Lane,
and 5668-1B Named Lane, while a third basement unit at the same
address would be 5668-2 Named Lane).
(6) The ARU address sign shall be a minimum of 30.48 centimetres (12
inches) in height x 30.48 centimetres (12 inches) in width. The numbers
shall be a minimum of 120 millimetres (4.75 inches) height, reflective on
a white background with black numbering. The sign shall be purchased
through the Municipality by application with the fee in accordance with
the Municipality’s current Rates and Fees By-law.
9.2. Apartment Building or Multiple Attached Dwelling
(1) An apartment Building or multiple attached dwelling (e.g. building
composed of row/townhouse units, units that form part of a vacant land
condominium) on one apparent block of land with a common access is
given one Civic Number, and each Unit(s) is assigned a unit number.
(2) An apartment Building that has multiple floors with Units on each floor
may be numbered as Basement (B1, B2, etc.); First Floor (101, 102,
etc.); Second Floor (201, 202) etc.
(3) On-street housing projects (e.g. semi-detached or townhouse
dwellings, vacant land condos which front on municipal roads)) which
have direct access to the Road (except private roads) for each Unit will
be assigned a separate Civic Number.
9.3. Single Family Dwellings Part of Vacant Land Condominium Plan
(1) Single Family Dwellings that are part of a Vacant Land Condominium
will be assigned Civic Numbers for Units. Private roads within a Vacant
Land Condominium may be named in conjunction with the
Municipality’s Road Naming Policy, however, Civic Addressing will be
assigned based on the number assigned at the public Road with units
being allocated within the condominium plan (i.e. private Roads may be
used for marketing a development but do not relate to civic addresses).
Vacant Land Condominium buildings that front on a public Road will
follow the established numbering sequence along the public Road.
Council Approved Nov 6/25 8
10.0 MOBILE HOME PARKS
10.1. The whole of the Mobile Home Park may be assigned one Civic Number to the
fronting Road with each Mobile Home given a Civic Number per Unit provided
there are intersection signs on all internal roads to show the street name and
ranges of the Unit numbers (e.g. #1001 Mobile Home Park Named Road, Unit
#).
11.0 COTTAGE RESORT, TRAILER/RV PARKS OR CAMPGROUNDS
11.1. A cottage resort, trailer park, or recreational vehicle park or campground shall
be assigned one Civic Number to the fronting street and the individual Units or
sites may be identified by their internal unit or site numbers for a large unit
range (e.g. #1001 Trailer Park Named Road, Site #).
12.0 MULTIPLE COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL
12.1. A multiple occupancy commercial/industrial building, such as a shopping
plaza, on one apparent block of land with a common access to the Road is
given one Civic Number and each unit is assigned a Civic Number for each
Unit (#1001 Shopping Plaza Road, Unit #).
12.2. A multiple occupancy commercial/industrial building with no common access
but individual entrances with direct access to the Road shall be assigned a
separate Civic Number for each Unit (e.g. #1001 Shopping Plaza Road, #1003
Shopping Plaza Road, etc.).
13.0 SPLIT DRIVEWAYS
13.1. A “split driveway” is one common entrance from the Road but splits into two
separate driveways, still within view of the Road.
13.2. When travelling on the Road approaching the property, the first Number Blade
is placed at the first side of the entrance and the second Number Blade is
placed on the opposite side of the entrance in sequential order.
13.3. The first Civic Number is derived from the actual measurement point distance
calculations, while the second Civic Number is assigned based on the first
Civic Number’s calculations.
13.4. Residents with dwellings serviced by split driveways are required to install an
additional Number Blade on the front of each respective residence, with clear
visibility from the driveway.
14.0 SHARED DRIVEWAYS
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14.1. A “shared driveway” is one common entrance for two or more properties, but
the driveway split is not visible from the rRoad.
14.2. When travelling on the road approaching the property, one Number Blade is
placed on one post where the shared driveway entrance meets the Road. A
separate Number Blade is assigned and is placed on the opposite side of the
entrance.
14.3. Residents with dwellings serviced by shared driveways are required to install
an additional Number Blade on the front of each respective residence, with
clear visibility from the driveway.
15.0 CORNER LOTS
15.1. Corner lots will be allocated a Civic Address on the Road which provides the
approved entrance to the property.
16.0 CONTINUITY OF NUMBERING
16.1. Civic Numbers will continue consecutively along the full length of a Road,
even if the Road crosses a Municipal boundary (unless otherwise decided
upon by the Manager of Public Works).
16.2. In general, where there is a jog in a Road, or two Roads meet with a section in
common, the Civic Numbers will continue consecutively on the higher (public)-
order Road.
17.0 COORDINATION WITH EXISTING CIVIC ADDRESS NUMBERING IN
SETTLEMENT AREAS
17.1. An established Civic Number system within a Settlement Area will remain and be
utilized, so long as they have sequential numbering with odd and even numbers
on opposite sides of the Road and they can be worked into the surrounding
number sequences.
18.0 CURVILINEAR STREETS
18.1. Crescents
(1) The general orientation of a crescent is used to determine whether it is
on the north-south or east-west axis. Odd and even Civic Numbers are
assigned accordingly.
18.2. Cul-De-Sacs
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(1) The general orientation of the cul-de-sac is used to determine whether
it is on the north-south or east-west axis. Odd and even Civic Numbers
are assigned accordingly.
(2) The mid-point in the bulb of the cul-de-sac is used to define the split.
(3) Where the Road name of the dead-end circle is the same as the Road
name of the main street, the Civic Numbers from the main street are
carried into the circle.
19.0 ISSUING NEW/REVISED CIVIC NUMBERS & NOTIFICATION
19.1. Civic Numbers for existing vacant lots and for new lots created by consent
(severance) will be issued when the Owner or contractor submits a request for
a Civic Address.
19.2. In order to determine a Civic Number, the location of the driveway must be
shown on a plan and approved by the Municipality, County, or Ministry of
Transportation.
19.3. For new Civic Numbers, every attempt will be made to ensure that the new
number is consistent and logical with any current numbering system on that
section of Road as shown on addressing maps. The Manager of Public Works
will make every attempt to create a new Civic Address that does not directly
affect established Civic Addresses on the Road. However, if necessary, other
Owners may be affected by said new Civic Numbers and may be subject to
the costs associated with updating their Civic Address should a revised
number be issued.
19.4. For a Civic Address that is reassigned by the Municipality, the affected
Owner(s) is invoiced for the new Number Blade. All affected Owner(s) are
notified in writing of any Civic Address change.
19.5. Where a property is addressed with a Civic Number and Unit number, the
Manager of Public Works will ensure that any new or existing Number Blade at
the end of the driveway reflects the unit numbering.
19.6. If a driveway entrance is moved/relocated, the Civic Address may require
adjustment (initiated by either the property owner and/or the Municipality) and
the cost of a new sign is the responsibility of the Owner.
19.7. No Owner shall determine, erect, modify or replace a Civic Number and/or
Number Blade not authorized by the Manager of Public Works.
19.8. A fee for new Civic Number and/or Number Blade, as per the current
Municipal Rates and Fees By-law, per affected property will be charged to the
proponent of a road alignment change which is due prior to any changes being
carried out by the Municipality.
Council Approved Nov 6/25 11
19.9. The Manager of Public Works, in conjunction with the municipal Clerk’s
department is responsible for notifying emergency services within five (5) days
of any new or revised Civic Addresses, by circulating a notice to the contact
list below, as amended from time to time:
(1) County of Elgin
(2) Municipal Staff
(3) Bell Modifications (911 Service Provider)
(4) Ministry of Health
(5) OPP
(6) Central Ambulance Communications (London)
(7) Elgin St. Thomas EMS
(8) Tillsonburg Fire Dispatch
(9) Southwestern Ontario Student Transportation Services (STS)
(10) Canada Post
(11) Hydro One
(12) Bell Canada
(13) Enbridge Gas
(14) Statistics Canada
(15) Garbage Collection Services
(16) Recycling Collection Services
(17) MPAC
19.10. The “Application for 9-1-1 P.E.R.S. Signage” is available at the Municipal
office, from the Municipal webpage, and included as Appendix “A” of this
policy.
20.0 REQUESTING AND INSTALLING CIVIC ADDRESSING NUMBERS
20.1. An Owner may request a Civic Address by completing the “Application for 9-1-
1 P.E.R.S. Signage” form.
20.2. Upon assigning a new Civic Number, the Manager of Public Works will place
an order for a Number Blade.
21.0 FEES
21.1. A fee, as per the current Municipality’s Rates and Fees By-law, to cover the
cost of the Civic Number, Number Blade and/or post will be paid by the Owner
or their representative at the time the application is submitted.
21.2. Fees may be waived at the discretion of the Manager of Public Works.
22.0 INSTALLATION
22.1. Municipal staff or agent is responsible for the installation of all Number Blades
and posts, where applicable.
Council Approved Nov 6/25 12
22.2. The Owner or agent will be responsible for the installation in the following
instances:
(1) Replacement Number Blades (supplied by the municipality);
(2) In Settlement Areas where the address is affixed to a building;
(3) Multiple unit buildings/properties;
(4) Where the sign is attached directly to a structure;
22.3 Municipal staff or agents may inspect the installation to ensure compliance
with
installation instructions.
22.4 At the time of the occupancy inspection, municipal addressing is to be in place
and permanently affixed at the Road and/or to the dwelling units in a manner
as
prescribed in Section 4 and 9.1 of this policy to the satisfaction of the Chief
Building Official.
23.0 MAINTENANCE
(1) All owners of properties affected by provisions of this policy shall keep
and maintain in good condition their Civic Number, Number Blade,
and/or post, as the case may be.
(2) Every Owner or occupant shall ensure that the Number Blade and civic
address is always visible and kept unobstructed by vegetation,
structures, snow accumulation or any other screening.
24.0 PROHIBITION
24.1. No Owner or any person shall relocate a Number Blade or a Number Blade
and post without prior authorization by the Municipality or remove a Number
Blade or Number Blade and post, once posted, except for immediate repair by
the owner or the Municipality.
25.0 REPLACEMENT OF CIVIC ADDRESS NUMBER BLADES AND/OR POSTS
25.1. Where a Number Blade and/or post is missing or illegible due to actions of the
Owner or his/her agents, the Owner shall be responsible for the repair or the
replacement of the Number Blade and/or post immediately.
25.2. If the property does not have a Number Blade posted in accordance with the
provisions of this policy, the Manager of Public Works may give the owner
written notification that the Number Blade (and/or post) is missing, illegible or
otherwise not in compliance with this By-law and that the Owner is required to
rectify, within 30 days of the mailing or personal delivery of notice.
Council Approved Nov 6/25 13
25.3. If after thirty (30) days of the mailing or personal delivery of the notice, the
situation is not rectified in compliance with this By-law, the Municipality may
make any installations or repairs that it deems appropriate, at the cost of the
Owner and in an amount sufficient to cover labour, administration, and
material costs.
25.4. A Number Blade and/or post requiring replacement on Public Roads as a
result of Municipal maintenance operations shall be replaced by the
Municipality through the Municipal tax levy. A Number Blade and/or post
requiring replacement on Private Roads as a result of the Owner’s contractor
operation shall be replaced at the Owner’s expense. A Number Blade and/or
post requiring replacement on Public Roads as a result of a vehicular accident
shall be replaced by the Municipality at the request of the property owner at
the Owner’s expense.
26.0 LIABILITY
26.1. That the Municipality shall not be liable for any loss, cost, or expense which
the Owner(s) of land may incur as a result of a Street/Road Name Sign (for
private roads) or Number Blade and/or post being damaged, missing,
obstructed or illegible.
27.0 COSTS AND SUPPLIER
27.1. The Owner of the sign shall be charged, as per the current Municipal Rates
and Fees By-law, by the Municipality for:
(1) Number Blade, post and installation;
(2) The replacement of a Number Blade only, or post only.
(3) ARU signage
27.2. The Treasurer of the Municipality is authorized to apply to the property owner
of the sign to have any uncollected costs associated with the provision of a
new Civic Address, Number Blade, post, and/or the installation or replacement
of the Number Blade, post, to the corresponding property roll in the current tax
roll for collection in the same manner as municipal taxes.
28.0 RECORDS OF CIVIC ADDRESS
28.1. That, for the purposes of civic addressing and public safety, the Manager of
Public Works, in conjunction with the Planning Department and Clerk’s
Department, shall keep a record of Civic Numbers assigned. Once the Civic
Addressing By-law is passed, only the approved 9-1-1 Street/Road Names
and Civic Numbers shall be displayed.