Town of Middlefield, CT Chapter 320 Buildings, Numbering of

[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Meeting of the Town of Middlefield 4-29-1992. Amendments noted where applicable.]

§ 320-1 Purpose.

In order to promote the public health, safety and welfare, particularly to facilitate the delivery of fire protection, police, ambulance and postal services to its townspeople, the Town of Middlefield adopts the following chapter to govern posting of number signs on buildings within the Town.

§ 320-2 Color and height of numbers.

A. Color.

(1) All numbers shall be of a color that contrasts with the background to which they are affixed.

(2) Owners are encouraged to use numbers made from reflective materials.

B. Height and type.

(1) Numbers shall be a minimum of three inches high and a maximum of 12 inches high if affixed to the following: buildings, fences, posts, mailboxes serving a primary building on a lot located on the same side of the street as the building, and mailboxes serving a primary building on a rear lot and located within five feet of the right-of-way to the rear lot.

(2) Numbers shall be no higher than 1 1/2 inches if affixed to a mailbox across the street from the building which it serves or if affixed to one of a group of mailboxes that serve a condominium or other cluster of buildings on a lot.

(3) Numbers shall be block type, numerical form, not script, i.e., 8 not eight.

(4) Numbers shall have a minimum stroke width of 0.5 inch.[1]

[1] Editor's Note: Added at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).

§ 320-3 Location of numbers.

A. Buildings visible from street line. Owners of buildings that require street numbers and which are visible from the street line shall affix numbers either to the top or the side of the largest building entrance visible from the street line. The bottom of the numbers shall be at least five feet above the doorstep or the entrance to which the numbers are affixed.

B. Other buildings. Owners of buildings that require street barriers shall affix additional numbers to fences, posts or mailboxes along the street line. Numbers affixed to objects along the street line shall be a minimum of approximately three feet above the ground so that they will not be covered by fallen or piled snow during the winter months. Buildings which are not visible from the street or are set back 250 feet or more may be additionally marked by the Fire Company.

C. Mailboxes. Numbers shall be affixed to both sides of mailboxes; where boxes are grouped together, numbers shall be affixed to the front and any visible side.

§ 320-4 Buildings requiring street numbers.

A. Residential. Each single-family dwelling or condominium dwelling unit will require one set of numbers. Duplexes will require separate sets of numbers for each dwelling unit. Multifamily dwellings will receive one set of numbers for each building, with a separate letter added to the numbers for each unit in the building. Single-family dwellings with an accessory apartment will be required to add the letter "A" to the apartment's number only.

B. Nonresidential. The primary building on each nonresidential property shall require a street number. The decision of the Fire Chief shall be final on which building within a nonresidential property is the primary building. Other buildings which are not outbuildings or accessory buildings may require a separate letter or number be added to the numbers for each other building.

C. Outbuildings. Outbuildings or accessory buildings will not require street numbers and will be considered accessory to the numbered building on the property.

§ 320-5 Time for compliance.

A. Each person who owns a building that is occupied or that has received a certificate of occupancy at the time this chapter becomes effective, and which requires a set of street numbers, must post the street numbers within 60 days from the date the Town of Middlefield notifies him of the numbers for the building.

B. Each person who owns a building that requires street numbers which is built or receives a certificate of occupancy after the effective date of this chapter must post the street number before receiving the certificate of occupancy for the building.

§ 320-6 Noncompliance; penalties for offenses.

A. The Town shall issue a warning notice to any building owner who fails to post street numbers on his building within the time allowed in § 320-5 of this chapter. The warning notice shall be issued from the official designated by the Board of Selectmen and shall be sent certified or registered mail to the building owner at his last known address. The warning notice shall allow the building owner an additional 10 days from the date of the warning notice to post the numbers.

B. Any building owner who fails to post street numbers within the time allowed on the warning notice shall be subject to a fine not to exceed $200 for each day during which he fails to post the numbers.[1]

[1] Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).

C. The Town may enforce this fine by a citation and hearing in accordance with the provisions of Public Act No. 88-221 (C.G.S. § 7-152c).