(A) By no later than October 1, 2021, every house, residence, apartment and business within the borders of Howard County shall have street address numbers identifying the location.
(B) All street address numbers shall be displayed on a mailbox, mailbox post, or separate post and shall be easily visible from the road when traveling in either direction. The street address number display shall be a minimum height of three feet and a maximum height of five feet above road grade as measured from the midpoint of the display. Alternatively, if displayed on the mailbox post, the street address number display may be mounted directly below the mailbox so long as the midpoint of the sign is no less than two and one-half feet above road grade. In the event the structures to be identified by the street address numbers are situated in such a way that the display of those numbers as the sole means of identification does not adequately identify the structure in the opinion of the Howard County Plan Commission Director and/or the Howard County Communications Director, then the owner of that structure may also be required to display the street address numbers affixed to the structure in the size and colors as required below. In the event the second display is necessary, then the Howard County Plan Commission Director shall set forth in writing to the owner of the structure the reasons for the second display.
(C) All street address numbers shall be white reflective lettering on a green background which can be easily seen when viewed from the street while in a vehicle. Should a second display be required as set forth above, it is required that the numbers of the second display be a color contrasting with the background surface color upon which the display is mounted.
(D) There shall be no obstructions preventing the street address numbers from being seen as noted above.
(E) All street address numbers shall be a minimum of three inches in height and one and one-half inches in width.
(F) No occupancy permit for new construction will be issued until proper numbers are erected either by the contractor or the homeowner.
(G) A property with a non-conforming address display of the correct property address which does not meet the size and color requirements of this section may continue to be used should it substantially fulfill the intent of this section and adequately identify the property in the opinion of the Plan Commission Director and the Communications Director. In the event a non-conforming address display of the correct address is approved for continued use under this division, then the owner of the property shall be sent a letter approving said use by either the Plan Commission Director or the Communications Director, and a copy be kept on file at the Plan Commission office.
(H) This section shall be enforced by the Howard County Plan Commission Director or Communications Director, or any of their duly authorized representatives.
(I) Notices of violation shall be sent by certified mail by an enforcement officer and kept in the records of the Howard County Plan Commission.
(Ord. 2021-BCCO-27, passed 7-6-21)