[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Council of
the Town of Westerly 8-13-1991 by Ch. No. 983 as §§ 5-141 through 5-149
of the 1991 Code (Ch. No. 998). Amendments noted where applicable.]
Acting under the authority granted by the General
Laws of Rhode Island, 1956 as amended, the Town Council hereby ordains
this chapter establishing a uniform numbering system for the numbering
of residential, commercial and industrial buildings and lots in the
Town. All buildings in the Town shall display street numbers in accordance
with the provisions of this chapter.
The standards set forth in this chapter are
made for the purpose of promoting the public health and safety by
providing a means of locating residential and other structures by
police, fire and other emergency services and for other purposes requiring
the locating of residential and other structures as may be required.
[Amended 4-23-2012 by Ch. No. 1769]
This building and lots numbering system shall
be administered by the Department of Engineering, which shall assign
building numbers to all residential, commercial and industrial structures
and lots in conformity with the plan developed pursuant to this chapter.
The Department of Engineering shall also be responsible for the maintaining
of the following official records of this numbering system:
The following criteria shall govern the development
of the numbering system and the assignment of numbers:
A.
Number interval. Each 50 feet of every street shall
be assigned one odd number and one even number on each side of the
street or except where an alternative interval is deemed necessary
and acceptable.
B.
Odd and even numbers. Odd numbers shall be on the
right-hand side of all streets facing from the point of number origin
to the point of number destination of each street.
C.
Number origins. On through streets which terminate
at another street at both ends, numbers shall start at a designated
common point of origin or a designated major road. On dead-end streets
or culs-de-sac, numbers will start at the intersection of origin of
the street and run toward the dead end or turnaround. Exceptions to
either of the above shall be decided on a case-by-case basis.
D.
Common access. Where several residential or other
structures are served by a common driveway or private right-of-way
which is not a street recognized by the Town Council, said common
access shall be named and each separate structure shall be identified
by a number assigned in counterclockwise rotation, starting with the
structure on the immediate right of the drive or accessway.
[Amended 4-23-2012 by Ch. No. 1769]
E.
Number assignment. The number assigned to each residence
or structure shall be the number which falls closest to the main entry.
Names shall be chosen that relate to the location
and historical significance of an area.
A.
Unacceptable street names. Unacceptable street names
are any street names determined to be confusing, frivolous, complicated,
undesirable, unconventional.
B.
Affixes. Unnecessary affixes and terms, such as "East,"
"West," "North," "South," "Old" and "New," are to be avoided.
[Amended 4-23-2012 by Ch. No. 1769]
C.
Name duplication. Similar sounding names (Wilcox and
Walcott) are considered to be duplication regardless of spelling.
No duplication of names is to be permitted within the service areas
of the United States Post Office or local or public agencies such
as a Police or Fire Department.
D.
Continuity. A continuous street, or one proposed as
continuous, should bear the same name throughout, even if it changes
direction.
All residents and other occupants are required
to display assigned numbers in the following manner:
A.
Number on the structure or residence. Where the residence
or structure is within 50 feet of the edge of a street right-of-way,
the unobstructed assigned number shall be displayed on the front of
the residence or structure in the vicinity of the front door or entryway.
B.
Number at the street line. Where the residence or
structure is over 50 feet from the edge of the street right-of-way,
the unobstructed assigned number shall be displayed on a mailbox or
post at the edge of the property line.
C.
Size and color of the number. Number shall be displayed
as follows: The number is to consist of numerals of at least four
inches in size and be of a color that contrasts with the background
on which it is placed and shall be so located as to be easily visible
from the street. No owner, occupant, lessee, tenant or subtenant of
any building shall display any street number other than the assigned
proper street number designated by the Department of Engineering.
[Amended 4-23-2012 by Ch. No. 1769]
D.
Placing of numbers. Within 30 days after completion
and notification of the numbering system, the owner of the building
shall place the designated number or numbers on the respective building.
E.
Interior location. All residents and other occupants
are requested to post the assigned number and street name adjacent
to their telephone for emergency reference.
[Amended 4-23-2012 by Ch. No. 1769]
A prospective subdivider shall submit a plan
of proposed street naming and numbering system to the Department of
Engineering. The proposal shall consist of a map of the overall tract
illustrating the street layout, the name proposed for each street,
the proposed numbering for each lot and an alphabetical list of the
proposed street names, together with an alternate name for each street
name proposed. The Department of Engineering shall review the proposed
street naming and numbering program for duplication of names, appropriateness
of names, and for overall compliance with the Town street naming and
numbering policy.
[Amended 4-23-2012 by Ch. No. 1769]
Whenever any residence or other structure is
constructed or developed, it shall be the duty of the new owner to
procure an assigned number from the Department of Engineering. This
shall be done prior to the issuance of a building permit by the Town
Building Official.
[Added 4-23-2012 by Ch. No. 1769[1]]
A prospective subdivider shall show a proposed
street naming and numbering system on the final plan submission to
the Town Planning Board. The proposal shall consist of a map of the
overall tract illustrating the street layout, the name proposed for
each street and the proposed numbering for each lot. The approved
street names and numbering shall be included in the final map which
is submitted for approval and for recordation.
[Amended 4-23-2012 by Ch. No. 1769]
This chapter shall take effect upon passage,
and number and street name assignment shall be initiated by the Town
Engineer upon completion of the official map of street names and numbers.
A copy of such official map shall be filed with the Department of
Engineering and in the planning office at the Town Hall.
[Amended 4-23-2012 by Ch. No. 1769; 7-9-2018 by Ch. No. 1927]
It shall be the responsibility of all Westerly department employees and emergency service organizations to report any suspected violation of this chapter to the Department of Engineering. The Department of Engineering shall notify the Town's code enforcement officials to investigate a violation. The code enforcement officials shall report to the Department of Engineering as to the existence and validity of the violation. The Department of Engineering shall notify the property owner(s) of such violation in writing. The Town Solicitor shall take action in accordance with Chapter 1, Article II, and Chapter 15 to ensure compliance with this chapter.
[Amended 4-23-2012 by Ch. No. 1769]
Any person violating the provisions of this chapter shall be
punished by a fine of not less than $50 and not more than $100 for
each violation.
