E911 Address Identification Sign Guidelines

Text that appears in bold are mandatory requirements, while plain text are recommendations or provided for information purposes.

Authority and Purpose:

These guidelines are prepared in accordance with the requirements of Burlington Code of Ordinances (BCO) Ch. 27, Art 5, Sec. 103 that directs the City's E911 Coordinator to "determine the form, size, and material of building numbers, and the mode, place, succession, and order of inscribing and affixing them on houses or other buildings, or property parcels."

The purpose of these guidelines are to ensure that the E911 street address assigned by the City to all properties, buildings, and individual units as may be applicable can be easily identified and seen from a public street or thoroughfare by emergency responders, guests, patrons, and delivery persons.

All E911 street addresses (including those for both building and unit numbers as applicable) assigned by the City shall be displayed through the use of a Street Address Identification Sign as required in the BCO and these guidelines. Building and property numbers are the actual street address of an individual property, while unit numbers identify an individual apartment, suite, or condominium unit within a multi-unit building.

Content:

All E911 street addresses (including those for both building and unit numbers as applicable) shall be displayed by means of a Street Address Identification Sign.

All Street Address Identification Signs for an individual building or property shall include the street number assigned to the property and/or building by the City, and may or may not include the street name. For example, Burlington City Hall's address is 149 Church Street. The street address number is 149. In this case, a Street Address Identification Sign may include either "149" or "149 Church Street".

Individual unit numbers shall include the number assigned to the individual unit, and may or may not include a reference to the respective building number.

Any use of building and place names and/or numbers that mimic the City’s E-911 street naming and addressing system by using a fictitious, or "vanity," address consisting of a combination of a number, name, and/or place type (e.g. "1 City Square") that has not been assigned by the City and do not comply with the requirements of the requirements of BCO Ch. 27, Art 5 are prohibited.
Overall Number and Sign Size:
A Street Address Identification Sign that is:

no larger than 2 square feet in size;

has characters between 3-10 inches in height; and

is not individually illuminated,

Does not need to obtain a Zoning Permit for a Sign prior to installation.
At least one Street Address Identification Sign shall be installed for each property, building, or unit with an assigned address. However, there is no specific maximum number of Street Address Identification Signs that may be used. The identification needs of each building or property is unique, and must be accommodated as necessary to ensure each are easily identified. In addition, the number of signs will be dictated by the number of individual building and units on a property.

These guidelines set no specific limits to the overall size of Street Address Identification Signs. However, in order to be exempt from the requirements for obtaining a Zoning SignPermit, a Street Address Identification Sign can be no greater than 2 square feet in total area (inclusive of all characters, both numbers and letters), and must not be individually illuminated (light cast from a customary entrance light is beneficial, and is not considered individually illuminated under the Zoning regulations).

Street Address Identification Signs may be illuminated and be larger 2 square feet in total area, however the property owner will first have to obtain a Sign Permit from the Department of Permitting and Inspections before they can be installed.
Character Size:

Individual characters (numbers and/or letters) on a Street Address Identification Sign shall be a minimum of 3 inches in height. These guidelines set no maximum limit on the overall size of the sign, however in order to be exempt from the requirements for obtaining a Zoning Sign Permit, individual characters are limited to a maximum of 10 inches in height.

Larger buildings and building numbers might want to use larger characters (e.g. 5-10"), while smaller buildings and unit numbers may prefer a smaller character (e.g. 3-5").
Color, Font, and Materials:
1. The color of the characters on a Street Address Identification Sign must sharply contrast with the sign's background - either dark characters against a light background, or light characters against a dark background.
2. Any material is acceptable as long as it is durable and does not fade. Heavy-duty aluminum signs with reflective sheeting and characters are widely available.
3. The font should be easy-to-read, plain, and unadorned (i.e. san serif).
4. The orientation of individual characters may be horizontal or vertical. Horizontal is recommended for readability, but vertical is more practical for mounting on a post.
Illumination:
1. A Street Address Identification Signs of any size with dedicated illumination requires a Zoning Permit. Light cast from a customary entrance light is not considered dedicated sign illumination under the Zoning regulations and is preferred where possible.
2. Street Address Identification Signs that are in the dark at night should be reflective.
Placement:
1. Street Address Identification Signs shall be posted in exterior locations on or near buildings that are:
  1. Clearly visible from the street,
  2. Unobstructed by landscaping, trees, snowbanks, etc
  3. In relation to the principal entrance to the property, building, or unit to which they refer.
2. Street Address Identification Signs shall not be attached to trees, rocks, or other natural features or objects, nor shall they be attached to any structure placed by the City or a public utility (e.g. street signposts, utility poles or boxes, etc.). A Street Address Identification Sign may be placed on an exterior wall or door of a building, or mounted on a freestanding post or mailbox.
3. If the building's main entrance is not visible from the street, a Street Address Identification Sign shall be posted where it is readily visible from the street, such as attached to a mailbox or freestanding on a post. If there are multiple addresses not visible from the street, all applicable address numbers shall also be displayed at the street. Automobile headlights can illuminate a Street Address Identification Sign when placed near the driveway in a location for the driver to see.
4. A Street Address Identification Sign for an individual unit shall be placed on or within 12-inches of the unit entrance door at or above eye level. The use of directional signs containing a range of unit numbers are recommended when individual units are not clearly visible from the street.
Variances and Appeals:

The E911 Coordinator has the authority to grant a variance from the requirements of BCO Ch. 27, Art 5 and these guidelines upon a written request. Decisions of the E911 Coordinator may be appealed pursuant to BCO Ch. 27, Art 5.