[HISTORY: Adopted by the Common Council of the City of Albany 3-20-1995
by Ord. No. 6.31.95. Amendments noted where applicable.]
In order to enable the identification and location of buildings along
the various roads and highways of the City by fire, police and other emergency
services, and to facilitate the reporting of emergencies and dispatching of
emergency vehicles and personnel under the county "E-911" system, the Common
Council of the City of Albany hereby finds and declares the enumeration of
all buildings to be of major importance for all residents of the City of Albany,
and this chapter is intended to effectuate the efficient and accurate enumeration
of buildings.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated.
The principal building or buildings on each zone lot of record. Such
term shall not be deemed to include any accessory structure.
The Commissioner of Assessment and Taxation of the City of Albany.
All buildings in the City of Albany presently existing and those hereafter
constructed shall have displayed, either upon said building or at the driveway
entrance thereto, or both, a number uniquely identifying said building's location
on any given road or highway as assigned herein.
The Commissioner of Assessment and Taxation of the City of Albany shall
notify all property owners of the numbers assigned to any building already
existing if inconsistent with that presently being displayed or if otherwise
not in compliance with the requirements of this chapter. The Commissioner
will assign a number to any new building after the issuance of a building
permit and prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy. Any new certificate
of occupancy issued after the effective date of this chapter shall have written
upon its face the building number and street name upon which it is located.
A.Â
The figure or figures comprising the number to be displayed
as required herein shall be at least three (3) inches in height and shall
be placed on the front of said building in a prominent and conspicuous place
and in such manner as to be plainly legible from the center of the street
at all times between sunrise and sunset. The color of said figures shall be
in sharp contrast to the color of their background. For the purpose and intent
of this chapter, the front of a building shall be construed as that side of
the building which faces the street on which the number or numbers of such
building or premises have been allotted.
B.Â
The numbers shall be so placed so that they will not
be obstructed by trees, shrubbery, porches or other extensions of the building.
C.Â
Wherever practicable, said numbers shall be placed near
some light or source of illumination so that it may be readily seen at night.
D.Â
Where the building upon which the number is to be displayed
is more than seventy-five (75) feet from the edge of the right-of-way, whether
improved or not, of the street or road serving the building, the number shall,
in addition to the other requirements of this chapter, be displayed on a sign
or other fixture readily visible from the road or street and in no event further
back than twenty-five (25) feet from said road or street right-of-way.
Each separate building or dwelling shall be assigned a separate distinguishing
number by the Commissioner in conformity with a uniform numbering system encompassing
the entire City. The display of any house number other than the number assigned
by the Commissioner is expressly prohibited.
All existing structures in the City to which numbers are assigned by
the Commissioner are hereby required to display such number in the manner
required herein within ninety (90) days of its assignment. Any structures
for which a certificate of occupancy is issued after the effective date of
this chapter will be required to be in compliance with the provisions hereof
upon issuance of the certificate of occupancy.
The Commissioner of Assessment and Taxation is hereby authorized and
directed to be responsible for the enforcement of this chapter and to cause
all property owners to be in compliance.
A.Â
Any property owner found not to be in compliance with
any provision herein shall be given a ten-day notice to remedy said violation.
B.Â
Any property owner that fails to comply with said notice
shall be liable for a civil penalty in the sum of up to $300 for each week
that the violation shall exist following the issuance of notice to remedy.
The penalty herein is declared to be civil in nature. Prosecutions for violations
of this chapter shall be undertaken by the office of the Corporation Counsel
in the Civil Part of Albany City Court.
[Amended 5-19-2008 by Ord. No. 25.42.08]
C.Â
Service of notice. The notice provided for herein may
be given by personal service or by mailing a copy thereof to the last known
address of the owner.
D.Â
Numbering of building by City. In the event of the neglect
or refusal of any owner, after notice as set forth herein, to comply with
the provisions of this chapter, the Commissioner may cause said building to
be properly numbered.
E.Â
Assessment of costs. The Commissioner shall determine
the cost of numbering said building, assess the cost of the same upon such
premises, which shall become a lien thereon, and include the same in the next
assessment roll if otherwise unpaid.
Upon the application of any person showing practical difficulty, the
Commissioner may vary or modify the requirements contained herein upon such
terms and conditions as is deemed appropriate.
This chapter shall take effect immediately.
