Tammi Copsey

Can the police, ambulance or firefighters find your home easily from the street?

I ask this because I just spent the better part of 30 minutes trying to locate a home on a very long street and couldn't find it. Why you ask? Not one house number was visible from the street. They weren't on the mailboxes or curbs and the ones on homes weren't able to be read from the street. Yes, I eventually found what I was looking for, but what if it had been an emergency vehicle, a potential home buyer trying to find your open house or a customer trying to reach your business?

Baltimore County has recently (late 2007) made changes in respect to Building Numbers and I've placed them below to make homeowners in Baltimore County aware of the change.

Baltimore County - Changes to Requirements for Building Numbers

Additionally, please remember that a change made last year with respect to the placement of address numbers on Baltimore County properties is in effect and all property owners are required to comply with the following (capitals indicate material added to existing law):

The owner of improved property shall prominently display numerals or letters, AT LEAST THREE INCHES IN HEIGHT, designating the address assigned to the property:

(1) in a conspicuous space on or about the property;

(2) on a conspicuous background; and

(3) in a location that is unobstructed and clearly visible:

(I) from the street named in the address of the property; AND

(II) FROM ANY STREET, ROAD OR ALLEY PROVIDING PUBLIC VEHICULAR ACCESS TO THE REAR OF THE PROPERTY.

This requirement is enforced by the Baltimore County Fire Department as a health and safety measure and failure to comply could result in a $100 fine.

HELPFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS

http://resources.baltimorecountymd.gov/Documents/Permits/Building_Plans_Review/bldgcode04907.pdf
This link will take you directly to the Baltimore County Building Code.

One more reminder...do your research before you build, you don't want to break these laws as they could cost you the sale of your home (and a lot of money) in the future.

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