In an emergency, police, fire and rescue workers depend on house numbers to find YOU as quickly as possible. Finding your home - especially at night - can be challenging if address numbers are unreadable, hidden, unlighted or have missing numbers and may delay emergency responders from getting to you as quickly as possible.
Are your house numbers visible from the street? Are they set on a background of contrasting color? If your house is hidden from the street, are your numbers attached to a visible fence, mailbox or gate? Is your mobile home identified with your house number? If you live on a corner, does your house number face the street named in your address?
If you've answered "no" to any of these questions, please follow the guidelines below to make sure your house number is easy to read:
The following guidelines will assist you in correctly posting your assigned emergency 911 address numbers. If you have a question in reference to posting your assigned emergency 911 address number, call 301-475-4200, extension 1500.
1. The number shall be displayed in a location visible from the road which the number is assigned.
2. Numbers should be placed on both side of the mailbox. However, displaying the number on the mailbox may not be all that is necessary under some circumstances. If described in item 3 and/or 4 below.
a) There is no mailbox.
b) The mailbox is on the opposite side of the road from property.
c) There are multiple mailboxes at the location and the home or building which goes with the mailbox is not clearly identifiable.
3. Number may be placed on the house, but only if they are readily visible from the road (usually within 50 feet) and the view of the numbers are not blocked by trees and shrubs.
4. Numbers may be placed on a sign or post at the entrance to the right-of-way or shared driveway. One post, 39” to 40” high, shall be erected for a right-of-way or shared driveway serving more than one but less than four addresses. Address numbers shall be affixed to each house or unit served by that right-of-way or shared driveway. If the house or unit is not visible from the point at which the individual driveway breaks from the right-of-way or shared driveway, the address number must also be posted on the house or on an additional post must be erected at that point with the address number of that dwelling or unit.
5. Number should be at least three (3) inches high.
6. Number should be plain block numerals, not script or written numbers.
7. Numbers shall be set on a background or contrasting color, preferably white or black.
8. Do not place number on utility poles, County road signs, or anywhere within the road right-of-way (except mailboxes).
9. Temporary display of addresses for new structures shall be maintained during construction.
If you receive your mail at a Post Office Box, then your mailing address will not change. However, you must still post the Emergency 911 Address on your property so that it can be located by emergency vehicles.
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