Town of Raymond
Addressing Ordinance

Section I. Purpose

The purpose of this ordinance is to enhance the effective and rapid location of properties by public safety personnel including: law enforcement, fire, rescue, and emergency medical services personnel in the Town of Raymond.

Section 2. Authority

This ordinance is adopted pursuant to and consistent with the Municipal Home Rule Powers as provided for in Article VIII, Part 2, Section 1 of the Constitution of the State of Maine and Title 30-A M.R.S.A. Section 3001.

Section 3. Administration

This ordinance shall be administered by the Board of Selectmen, Town Manager, and E911 Coordinator. The Board of Selectmen is authorized to and shall assign road names and numbers to all properties, both on existing and proposed roads, in accordance with the criteria in Section 4 and 5. The E911 Coordinator shall also be responsible for maintaining the following records of this ordinance:

1. A Raymond map of official use showing road names and numbers.
2. An alphabetical list of all property owners as identified by current assessment records, by last name, showing the assigned numbers.
3. An alphabetical list of all roads with property owners listed in order of their assigned numbers.

Section 4. Naming System

All roads that serve two or more properties shall be named regardless of whether the ownership of the road is public or private. A "road" refers to any highway, road, street, avenue, lane, private way, or similar paved, gravel or dirt thoroughfare. "Property" refers to any property on which more or less a permanent structure has been erected. A road name assigned by the Town of Raymond shall not constitute or imply acceptance of the road as a public way.

The following criteria shall govern the naming system:

1. No two roads shall be given the same name (e.g., no Pine Street and Pine Lane).
2. No two roads shall have similar-sounding names (e.g., no Woodlawn Avenue and (Woodland Street).
3. Each road shall have the same name throughout its entire length, except, when authorized by the Board of Selectmen, the name may change at a significant landmark or intersection.

Section 5. Numbering System

Numbers shall be assigned every 50 (fifty) to 200 (two hundred) feet, depending on density and geographic location (e.g., 50 feet in village areas and up to 200 feet in rural areas), along both sides of the road, with even numbers appearing on the left side of the road and odd numbers appearing on the right side of the road, determined by the number origin.

The following criteria shall govern the numbering system:

1. All number origins shall begin from Roosevelt Trail or that end of the road closest to Roosevelt Trail For dead end roads, numbering shall originate at the intersection of the adjacent road and terminate at the dead end.
2. The number assigned to each structure shall be that of the numbered interval falling closest to the front door. If the front door cannot be seen from the main road, the number shall be that of the interval falling closest to the driveway of said structure.
3. Every structure with more than one principal use or occupancy shall have a separate number for each use or occupancy. (i.e. duplexes will have two separate numbers; apartments will have one road number with an apartment number, such as 235 Maple Street, Apt 2).

Section 6. Compliance

All owners of structures shall, by the date stipulated in Section 8, display and maintain in a conspicuous place on said structure, the assigned numbers in the following manner:

1. Number on the structure or residence: Where the residence or structure is located and clearly visible within 50 (fifty) feet of the edge of the road right-of-way, the assigned number shall be displayed on the front of the residence or structure near the front door or entry.
2. Number at the street line: Where the residence or structure is over 50 (fifty) feet from the edge of the road right-of-way, the assigned number shall be displayed on a post, fence, wall, the mail box (when such mailbox is located on the same side of the street where the principal structure is located), or on some structure at the property line next to the walk or access drive to the residence or structure.
3. Size and color of number: Numbers shall be displayed in a color and size that can clearly be identified and shall be located to be visible from the road.
4. Every person whose duty is to display the assigned number shall remove any different number that might be mistaken for, or confused with, the number assigned in conformance with this ordinance. (Note: Historic dates identifying when the property was established or the structure was built shall be exempt from this section. Careful consideration of clear distinction between a historical date and the physical address numbers shall be made by the property owner.)
5. Interior location: All residents and other occupants are requested to post the assigned number and road name next to their telephone for emergency reference.

Section 7. New Construction and Subdivisions

All new construction and subdivisions shall be named and numbered in accordance with the provisions of this ordinance and as follows:

1. New Construction: Whenever any residence or other structure is constructed or developed, it shall be the duty of the new owner to obtain an assigned number from the E911 Coordinator. This shall be done at the time of the issuance of the building permit.
2. New Subdivisions: Any prospective subdivider shall show a proposed road name and lot numbering system of the pre-application submission to the Planning Board. Approval by the Planning Board, after consultation with the Board of Selectmen, shall constitute the assignment of the road names and numbers to the lots in the subdivision. On the final plan showing proposed roads, the applicant shall mark on the plan, lines or dots, in the center of the streets every 50 (fifty) feet to aid in the assignment of numbers to structures subsequently constructed.

Section 8. Effective Date

This ordinance shall become effective as of January 1, 1998. It shall be the duty of the Board of Selectmen to notify by mail each property owner and the Post Office of a new address at least 30 (thirty) days before the effective date of its use. It shall be the duty of each property owner to comply with this ordinance, including the posting of new property numbers, within 30 (thirty) days following notification. On new structures, numbering will be installed before final inspection or when the structure is first used or occupied, whichever comes first.

Section 9. Enforcement

It is expected that this ordinance will be complied with. If for any reason, a property owner or resident fails to comply with this ordinance, they shall be deemed to have assumed the risk of not receiving emergency assistance at the same level of service had they met the requirements of this ordinance.

Section 10. Severability

In the event that any portion of this ordinance is found by a Court to be invalid, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.