(A) Each number required by this chapter or the state laws shall meet all of the following requirements:
(1) Be painted on or permanently attached to each side of the forward half of the vessel or motorboat, except as allowed by divisions (B) or (C) below;
(2) Be in plain vertical block characters of not less than three inches in height;
(3) Contrast with the color of the background and be distinctly visible and legible;
(4) Have spaces or hyphens that are equal to the width of the letter “M” between the letter and number groupings (e.g., MC 0000 AA or MC-0000-AA);
(5) Read from left to right; and
(6) Be as high above the water line as practical.
(B) When a vessel or motorboat is used by a manufacturer or dealer for testing or demonstrating, the number may be painted on or attached to removable plates that are temporarily, but firmly attached to each side of the forward half of the vessel or motorboat.
(C) On vessels or motorboats so configured that a number on the hull or superstructure would not be easily visible, the number must be painted on or attached to a backing plate that is attached to the forward half of the vessel or motorboat so that the number is visible from each side of the vessel or motorboat.
(Prior Code, § 21.5-43) (Ord. 1048, passed 5-18-1998)