Rural Road Naming and Site Addressing System Resolution

Facts about the Resolution

What exactly is this project and why is it needed?

Most rural residents in Larimer County are very familiar with the roads and landmarks around their homes. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for many others, like friends visiting from out of town, the package delivery person or the utility worker fixing a power outage. These people are often unfamiliar with rural and mountainous roads and landmarks.

This is also true for emergency medical, law enforcement and fire responders. While many who respond are volunteer residents familiar with their surroundings, others are not and would benefit from a frame of reference and consistent system that helps them find homes or sites more quickly.

An improved, more effective road name, number and sign system can be of great help to those unfamiliar with our County's rural roads. As one resident put it, we need to "unscramble the system" that exists today. It would be irresponsible not to deal with this problem, and it makes sense to tackle it now before more property owners and residents are affected. If we wait, the confusion and risk will only worsen.

What is this project NOT about? This is not about higher taxes or imposing "government" on people. It's about doing our best to ensure the safety and common good for people in rural Larimer County, both present and future. A County Commissioner perhaps stated it best, saying, "Somebody needs to be able to find you. Not find out about you, but to find you." Be it for a package delivery or for a medical emergency, we believe that in the long run the changes this project brings will benefit all County residents.

"I've heard the name of my road might change. Why is that?"

Whenever possible, the original name of a road will stay the same. However, there are a number of reasons that a road name might need to be altered, including the following:

All roads must now have a name, whether they are public or private roads.

Many existing roads in Larimer County do not currently have a road name. These roads, whether they are private or public, will be named as a result of this project.

Existing duplicate road names may be changed under the new system.

Each road must be given a unique name. If an existing road name is duplicated somewhere else in the same zip code or emergency service area, it may need to be changed.

In the event that a road name change is required due to a duplicate road name, the road first using the name will retain its name or, if the County cannot determine which road used the name first, the road with the most addresses will retain its name and the road with the fewer addresses will be changed.

Existing road names that cause problems for a Post Office, Delivery Service, or an Emergency Service Provider may be changed.

In many cases, existing road names will keep the same name...even if they do not follow the Postal Service standards. However, if a road name tends to cause problems for the post office, delivery service, or emergency service provider, it will most likely be changed in order to eliminate confusion.

A driveway will be designated as leading to one residence only.

A "driveway" that crosses a property line (thus leading to more than one address) will now be designated as a road and given a name.

Larimer County wants to fix issues with existing road names with the help of the citizens that live here. Residents will have the opportunity to choose the name for their road following existing road-naming standards. Those standards and details for submitting new road names can be found on the County's Website at http://www.larimer.org/streets/rules.htm or in the Rural Road Naming and Site Addressing System Resolution.

Residents who would like to reserve a name until such time as the Rural Addressing project is completed in their area can contact Karlin Goggin at the County Building Department, 498-7722 or kgoggin@larimer.org.

If road name changes are required, property owners are encouraged to hold a meeting with neighbors to select a new road name. For assistance, contact Susanne Durkin-Schindler, Public Involvement Coordinator, at the address at the end of this document.

"What about my neighbors' and my address numbers? Will they stay the same?"

Address numbers will now follow a logical sequence, and correspond to the correct side of the road.

Rural addresses are not based on lots as they are in the city, but rather on distance measurement. The numbering patterns will vary from area to area, depending on factors such as how the street network is laid out or proximity to municipalities and Growth Management Areas. The overriding goal of this project is to eliminate confusion. To that end, every effort will be made to work with existing patterns and to correct only those addresses that are problematic.

Your addressable structure must have a site address

A site address consists of an address number, a directional, a road name, a road type, and a unit number if applicable (example: 101 N Main St). Under the new County resolution, every addressable structure will be assigned a site address that corresponds to the location of the structure. As you can imagine, a "PO Box" or "Rural Route" address might be difficult to find for a delivery service or emergency service provider. For this reason, it is necessary for you to have a site address and that your address number be posted on or near your addressable structure.

"Where am I supposed to post my new (or existing) address?"

Address numbers must be clearly posted on the addressable structure

The new resolution requires that address numbers be displayed on the structure. Address numbers on residential locations are to be three to four inches tall and of a contrasting color to their background to ensure that delivery services or emergency responders can see them.

If the address numbers on the structure cannot be seen or are not legible from the driveway where it meets the road, then they should be displayed at the driveway entrance on a mailbox or a posted sign so they are visible from the road.

If the mailbox is not located at the driveway entrance, an additional address sign must be posted at the driveway entrance with the address number clearly visible.

"Will my mailbox be moved or will my mail service change?"

Under most circumstances, mailboxes that are "clustered" at a single site will remain as they are in their current location.

If your mailbox is located on your road or lane, label each side of your box with your new house number. If your mailbox is NOT located on your own road or lane, label each side of the box with your new address number and road name.

Mailboxes should stay exactly where they are currently located and moved only if instructed by your local postmaster. Your local post office may give you additional instructions for marking your mailbox.

"I live on a private road and was told we might need to put up a road sign. Is this true and, if so, who pays for it?"

Each road is required to have a sign. This is true for both public and private roads.

Installation and maintenance of signs on public roads will continue to be paid for by Larimer County. Larimer County will also pay for and facilitate the installation of new signs required on private roads as a result of this resolution. Any existing decorative (non-conforming) signs on private roads can remain; the standard signs installed by the County will supplement these. The road signs are designed primarily to assist emergency service responders and delivery services in getting to a location quickly.

Signs indicating "private" will not be installed by Larimer County but can be installed by the property owner as long as the sign does not obscure any potential traffic hazard or interfere with a safe sight distance.

"When will these changes take place?"

The Rural Addressing Project will be implemented over several years. In 2004, two "test areas" in the Davis Ranch Road and Bonner Peak/Picnic Rock were studied, and any resulting address changes were implemented in March, 2005. Southern Larimer County was field surveyed, analyzed and had changes completed in 2006. Northern Larimer County fieldwork will be conducted in 2007. The study and resulting address changes will be completed in 2008. Finally, we hope to install any remaining road signs needed in 2009.

"I'm not sure I like any of this. What if I just choose to ignore it?"

These changes are legal mandates.

The addressing system is owned and maintained by Larimer County. Changes will occur, but our preference is to work with citizens, remain flexible, and implement these changes in a collaborative way.

For those who wish to dispute any decisions, an appeal process is spelled out in detail in the Resolution.

"How and when will I know if I'm one of those affected?"

This fact sheet is meant to help inform Larimer County residents and property owners of the changes to come. Those residents and property owners whose addresses or road names change in some way will be notified of those changes and given time to adjust to the new address or road name change. The same is true of those who are impacted by the need to have a more visible road name sign and/or address number.

For more information or to receive a copy of the Resolution, contact:

Susanne Durkin-Schindler, Public Involvement Coordinator
Email: sdinsight@comcast.net
Phone: (970) 412-8786 or (970) 221-0389
Mail: Susanne Durkin-Schindler
SDS Consulting
1342 Stonehenge Drive
Fort Collins, CO 80525