Uniform Rural Address System Ordinance
Guthrie County, Iowa
Be it enacted by the Board of Supervisors (Board) of Guthrie County, Iowa:
Section 1 Purpose – This Ordinance mandates the use of a uniform rural address system for residents of Guthrie County in order to promote the convenience, safety and general welfare of those residents and provides for a penalty.
Section 2 Definitions – For use in this Ordinance, the following terms or words shall be interpreted or defined as follows:
1. “Person” shall mean any individual, firm, corporation, unincorporated association or other entity.
2. “Subdivision” shall mean the division of a tract of land into separate lots or parcels for the purpose of transfer of ownership or building development.
3. “Building” shall mean a roofed and/or walled structure built for permanent use.
4. “Base map” shall mean the map used by the agency coordinating the uniform rural address system in Guthrie County. Such a map shall indicate all addresses in Guthrie County subject to the provisions of this Ordinance.
Section 3 Establishment by Resolution – The Board shall, by resolution, establish the type of uniform rural address system to be used in Guthrie County.
Section 4 Extent of the System – The uniform rural address system shall extend over the entire unincorporated areas of Guthrie County. Unincorporated areas using an address system not attached to an incorporated area shall be subject to the provisions of this Ordinance. Any incorporated area, upon presentation of a written request from the governing body of such city to the Board, may also be included in the uniform rural addressing system.
Section 5 Implementation of the System – The Board shall direct the E911 Coordinator to:
1. Verify the accuracy of the base map that shall be used in the assignment of addresses.
2. Make all necessary corrections and updates to that map.
3. Assign addresses in accordance with the system selected by the Board.
4. Purchase sign assembly materials.
5. Develop, print, and distribute rural reference maps for rural emergency providers, dispatchers, all County offices, emergency vehicles, the U.S. Post Office, and the general public.
Section 6 Street Signs – The E911 Coordinator shall supervise the installation and maintenance of road identification markers at each road intersection in Guthrie County whereby the provisions of this Ordinance apply.
Section 7 Individual Number Location Markers
1. Each designated address shall have the address posted at the designated location with a marker approved by the Board.
2. Address markers shall be purchased through the E911 Coordinator and shall have the following specifications:
a. The post shall be a 5’2” flexible composite material of 4” width. The color shall be blue.
b. The numbers shall be 4” white, reflective numbers with 1” spacing between numbers.
3. The Board shall set a fee for the markers, such markers to be provided by the County.
4. All residences, businesses, utility sites and other occupied structures shall have the address marker installed.
5. Markers that are defaced, lost, or destroyed must be replaced within 30 days of such loss or damage.
6. Every person erecting a building, residence, or business shall within seven days of commencement of construction notify the E911 Coordinator who shall within 14 days of notification assign a number to such structure and install the designated marker.
7. Markers shall be placed as follows:
a. The marker shall be erected by the E911 Coordinator or designee.
b. The marker shall be located at the primary entrance to the residence,
business, or other structure.
c. The marker shall be at lease 5’ but no more than 20’ on either side of the entrance and no more than 5’ behind the road right-of-way line. Should this spacing not be possible the E911 Coordinator shall determine the appropriate location.
d. There shall be no obstruction of the marker between the marker and the road.
e. The E911 Coordinator with the approval of the Board shall designate on an individual basis a uniform address location and number style and type on all rural apartments, condominiums, strip malls, multi-family dwellings, and other such structures where the provisions of Section 7c are not practical.
Section 8 Maintenance of Uniform Rural Address System – The E911 Coordinator shall be responsible for the continued maintenance of the uniform rural address system in Guthrie County. These duties shall include assignment of all new addresses; installing replacement address markers; replacing street markers as needed, in conjunction with the Regional E911 Board and the County Engineer; updating maps; issuing new maps to the agencies and persons provided for in Section 5, subsection 5; making periodic checks of the rural areas of Guthrie County to insure that the provisions of this Ordinance are being complied with; and any other duties necessary to insure the continued maintenance of the uniform rural address system of Guthrie County.
Section 9 Special Account – Use of Account All fines and other monies available or paid to the County under the provisions of this Ordinance shall be placed in the E911 sign operating fund and credited to a special agency account to be designated as the uniform rural address system account under the control of the E911 Coordinator.
Section 10 Penalty – Any person found in violation of this Ordinance shall be guilty of a simple misdemeanor. Fines levied shall be deposited into the Special Account.
Section 11 Repealer – All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict with the provisions of this Ordinance are hereby repealed.
Section 12 Severability Clause – If any section, provisions, or part of this Ordinance shall be adjudged invalid or unconstitutional; such adjudication shall not affect the validity of the Ordinance as a whole or any section, provision or part thereof not adjudged invalid or unconstitutional.
Section 13 When Effective – This Ordinance shall be in effect after its final passage, approval, and publication as provided by law.
Approved by the Guthrie Co. Board of Supervisors on March 24, 1992. Published and effective April 2, 1992.