Township of Lancaster, PA Buildings, Numbering of

The owners of all residential and commercial structures within the Township, whether existing or under construction, that do not have an address number assigned shall have 30 days from the effective date of this chapter to request, in writing, that an address number be assigned by the Code Enforcement Officer.

§ 112-2 Displayed address numbers required.

The owners of all residential and commercial structures within the Township shall display the assigned address number in a manner consistent with the provisions of this chapter.

The owners of all existing residential and commercial structures which have an address number assigned shall have 90 days from the effective date of this chapter to display the assigned address number in a manner consistent with the provisions of this chapter.

The owners of all residential and commercial structures which are under construction or are constructed after passage of this chapter shall have the assigned address number displayed in a manner consistent with the provisions of this chapter prior to issuance of an occupancy permit by the Township Code Enforcement Officer.

§ 112-3 Residential structure display requirements.

The owner of each residential structure that has an assigned address number shall display the address number upon the structure such that the number is readable from the nearest public or private street. Address numbers shall be either affixed directly to the front of the structure or displayed upon a sign affixed directly to the front of the structure. Address numbers shall be affixed to the residence in the area illuminated by the front door exterior light, if such light is available.

Address numbers shall not be displayed on garage doors or outbuildings, except as a supplement to and in addition to all other display requirements of this chapter.

In addition to the requirements of Subsection A, residential structures with a front door located greater than 50 feet from the nearest public or private street shall have the assigned address number displayed upon posted signage within 20 feet of the public or private street and readable from the public or private street. Where the residence has a single/individual mailbox at the street, the assigned address number shall be affixed to both sides of the mailbox or to both sides of the post or framework supporting the mailbox. Where the address number is placed on the post or frame supporting the mailbox, it must lie completely upon that post or frame.

For multiple-family dwellings, the main building address number shall be displayed upon the dwelling such that the number is readable when approaching from the nearest public or private street. The main building number shall be either affixed directly to the front of the structure or displayed upon a sign affixed directly to the front of the structure. The main building number shall be affixed to the dwelling in the area illuminated by the front entranceway exterior light, if such light is available. The assigned address number for interior apartments/units must be individually displayed on the exterior surface of the interior door to each apartment/unit.

Numeral specifications:

(1)

All assigned address numbers shall be displayed in standard Arabic numerals (for example, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, etc.).

(2)

All assigned address numbers shall be displayed on a background of contrasting color.

(3)

All assigned address numbers that are displayed on residential structures shall be a minimum of four inches in height and have a minimum stroke width of 1/2 inch. It is recommended that the numbers be reflective for greater nighttime visibility. An illustration of the height and stroke requirements for numbers is provided as Exhibit A, attached hereto and made a part hereof.

(4)

All assigned address numbers that are displayed on posted signage, mailboxes, or the post or framework supporting the mailbox shall be reflective, a minimum of three inches in height and have a minimum stroke width of 1/2 inch. An illustration of the height and stroke requirements for numbers is provided as Exhibit A, attached hereto and made a part hereof.[1]

[1]

Editor's Note: Exhibit A, Illustration of Number Specifications, is included as an attachment to this chapter.

(5)

All assigned address numbers that are displayed on posted signage, mailboxes, or the post or framework supporting the mailbox prior to the effective date of this chapter and that meet the number height and width requirements and are contrasting in color from their background are not required to be changed to meet the reflective requirement of Subsection E(4) until such numbers are in need of replacement due to wear, fade or damage, at the discretion of the Township.

The owner of each residential structure that has an assigned address number shall be responsible for ensuring that the identifying numbers are displayed and maintained in a clear and readable manner and in conformance with this chapter. If, at the discretion of the Township, the address numbers become nonconforming, damaged, faded, obscured, etc., the owner shall be responsible for repairing and/or replacing such numbers. If the Township notifies the owner that the address numbers are in need of repair and/or replacement, it shall be the responsibility of the owner to complete such repair and/or replacement, to the satisfaction of the Township, within 30 days of receiving such notice.

§ 112-4 Commercial structure display requirements.

The owner of each commercial structure with an assigned address number, whether an individual business or a commercial suite, shall display the address number upon the structure such that the number is readable when approaching from the nearest public or private street. The number shall be either permanently mounted in or stenciled on a window or affixed directly to or painted on the exterior surface of the structure. All address numbers shall be displayed in the vicinity of an exterior light, if available.

In addition to the requirements of Subsection A, commercial structures that have a common entranceway used by multiple commercial tenants shall have the assigned address number for each interior business/suite individually displayed on the exterior surface of the interior door to each business/suite.

All freestanding business/commercial signs which identify a business or group of businesses located in an adjacent commercial building or group of commercial buildings shall have the assigned address number displayed thereon. The address number may be displayed either on the framework of the sign or be included in the graphics of the sign.

Numeral specifications:

(1)

All assigned address numbers shall be displayed in standard Arabic numerals (for example, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, etc.).

(2)

All assigned address numbers shall be displayed on a background of contrasting color.

(3)

All assigned address numbers that are displayed on commercial structures, whether on the exterior of the structure or in a window, shall be a minimum of six inches in height and have a minimum stroke width of 3/4 inch. An illustration of the height and stroke requirements for numbers is provided as Exhibit A, attached hereto and made a part hereof.

(4)

All assigned address numbers that are displayed on interior doors of commercial structures shall be a minimum of three inches in height and have a minimum stroke width of 1/2 inch. An illustration of the height and stroke requirements for numbers is provided as Exhibit A, attached hereto and made a part hereof.

(5)

All assigned address numbers that are displayed on freestanding business/commercial signs shall be a minimum of five inches in height and have a minimum stroke width of 3/4 inch. An illustration of the height and stroke requirements for numbers is provided as Exhibit A, attached hereto and made a part hereof.

The owner of each commercial structure that has an assigned address number shall be responsible for ensuring that the identifying numbers are displayed and maintained in a clear and readable manner and in conformance with this chapter. If, at the discretion of the Township, the address numbers become nonconforming, damaged, faded, obscured, etc., the owner shall be responsible for repairing and/or replacing such numbers. If the Township notifies the owner that the address numbers are in need of repair and/or replacement, it shall be the responsibility of the owner to complete such repair and/or replacement, to the satisfaction of the Township, within 30 days of receiving such notice.

§ 112-5 Violations and penalties.

[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]

Any person, partnership or corporation who or which violates or permits a violation of this chapter shall, upon conviction in a summary proceeding brought before a Magisterial District Judge under the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure, be guilty of a summary offense and shall be punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000, plus costs of prosecution. In default of payment thereof, the defendant may be sentenced to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 90 days. Each day or portion thereof that such violation continues or is permitted to continue shall constitute a separate offense, and each section of this chapter that is violated shall also constitute a separate offense. All judgments, costs and reasonable attorneys' fees collected shall be paid over to the Township.

§ 112-6 Severability.

If a final decision of a court of competent jurisdiction holds any provision, sentence, clause, section, or part of this chapter to be illegal or unconstitutional, such determination shall not affect or impair any of the remaining provisions, sentences, clauses, sections or parts of this chapter which shall remain in full force and effect. It is hereby declared as the intent of the Township that the provisions, sentences, clauses, sections or parts of this chapter shall be severable and that this chapter would have been adopted if any such illegal or unconstitutional provision, sentence, clause, section, or part had not been included.