Addressing / Mapping

ROAD NAME AND ADDRESSING POLICIES, RULES, AND INFORMATION:

• New road names must be submitted to the E-911 Mapping and Addressing office. Please allow ten (10) working days for name approval.
• The E-911 Director and the Addressing Office will review new road name requests.
• New road names that are direct duplicates of existing road names will not be allowed under any circumstances.
• Form for submitting proposed road names. (.pdf version, .doc version)

Please review the following tips to help avoid delays:

• Be as creative as possible when thinking of road names.
• Avoid common names such as Tree names: (Oak, Maple, Pine, etc.). Names with “Lake” or “River” are common and therefore poor choices.
• Family names such as Jones Road or Smith Lane are generally not a good idea. Property often changes owners and new owners will be inclined to try to rename the road.
• If possible, submit several choices. For example, if there are two new roads in your development submit four road names. Two first choices and two alternates.

Prohibited Usage for Street Names:

1. North, South, East, West or other directional indicators cannot be used for a road name.
2. Old and New cannot be used.
3. References to a number are prohibited such as Ten, First, Sixth.
4. Abbreviations of words or names and initials are prohibited.
5. A single alphabetical character cannot be used.
6. Duplicate street names are prohibited.
7. Phonetic duplications are prohibited such as: Jerdan-Jordan, Gem-Jim, Queensboro-Queensbury.

ADDRESSING POLICY, RULES AND INFORMATION:

Address Application Form: Click Here

When a citizen applies for an address, the following information is needed.

1. Parcel Identification Number for the piece of property (this can be obtained from the Tax Assessor’s office or the property tax receipt).
2. Name of the road that the property will be accessed from.
3. Name of the resident who will occupy the newly assigned address.
4. Any neighboring addresses (if they are known).
5. Health Department Approval (Permit to Install an Onsite Sewage Disposal System).

If an address is needed for a lot in a subdivision or a mobile home park, the following information is needed:

1. Parcel Identification Number (this can be obtained from the Tax Assessor’s office or the property tax receipt).
2. Lot Number and Name of the Subdivision (the block and sector number if it is in Million Dollar Lake Subdivision).
3. Name of the Road that accesses the lot.
4. Any neighboring addresses (if they are known).
5. Health Department Approval (Permit to Install an Onsite Sewage Disposal System)..

Why Are Addresses So Important?

An accurate and easily visible address is vital for rapidly locating a home or business in any emergency requiring fire, life, and/or safety services. It also promotes efficient mail and parcel delivery to businesses and residences. During construction, an address that is posted where it can easily be seen also speeds up the inspection process.

How To Get Address or Street Name Information:

For address information, call the Address Information Line at 205-710-6775 (24-hour voice mail). Be sure to leave applicant name and telephone number.

What if an Address Is Incorrect?

It is very important to have an address corrected as soon as possible. Incorrect addresses can cause confusion, inconvenience, and life-threatening delays in emergency response times. In some cases, an incorrect address can affect response time for adjacent addresses as well. To get an address corrected or to verify the accuracy of an address, call the Address Information Line at 205-710-6775.

Where Should Address Numbers Be Posted?

Having an address clearly posted and visible from the street will help emergency personnel locate a residence quickly.

1. Address numbers must be posted in a conspicuous place over or near the principal entrance or entrances. If the entrance(s) cannot be seen easily from the nearest adjoining street, the address numbers must be placed in another conspicuous place on the building or structure so that the address numbers can easily be seen from the nearest adjoining street.
2. If the building or structure cannot be easily seen or is greater than 50 feet from the nearest adjoining street, the address numbers must be placed on a portion of the site that is clearly visible and no more than 20 feet from the street.
3. The address numbers must be legible figures, not less than three inches high for residential uses, and not less than five inches high for commercial uses. Numbers must contrast with the color of the structure upon which they are placed and either be illuminated during periods of darkness, or reflective, so they are easily visible at night.

Please understand that our purpose in developing these policies and procedures is to provide effective and efficient information to emergency responders. Our purpose was not to make it difficult to obtain road names and addresses. Life and death emergencies are measured in seconds. Accurate address information can mean precious seconds when life and property are at stake.

Please Note:
All existing street names and addresses were grandfathered when the Street Naming and Addressing Policy was adopted. Changes to addresses and street names have been made, and may need to be made in the future, where duplicate street names occurred or when the Post Office, telephone and/or utility companies, or other affected parties brought problems to the attention of Tuscaloosa County E-911.