ADDRESSING, MAPPING & GIS
Jeffrey Polczynski, ENP - Addressing Coordinator
116 E. Washington Street, Room 25
Charles
304-724-6759
Fax: 304-724-8992
Monday – Friday 9:00am – 5:00pm
addressing@jeffersoncountywv.org
Click here for a mapquest map to downtown Charles Town
Under West Virginia Code
Section §7-1-3, the WV Legislature has given County Commissions “…responsibility
of establishment and regulation of roads, ways, streets, avenues, drives, and
the like, and the naming or renaming thereof, in cooperation with local postal
authorities, the division of highways, and the directors of county emergency
communications centers, to assure uniform, non-duplicative conversion of all
rural routes to city-type addressing on a permanent basis…”
Our Re-addressing Project
(2001 – 2004)
Beginning in 2001, Jefferson
County hired a professional addressing firm, MSAG Data Consultants,
Inc., to assist the County in completing the addressing
project. Aerial photography was taken in
May 2001 and digital planimetric maps were developed. In contrast to topographic
maps that show elevation, the planimetric maps show features such as road
centerlines, buildings, streams, ponds, fire hydrants, powerlines, floodplains
and other features. A planimetric map
may show some of the same features as a topographic map, with the exception of
terrain or elevation contours.
Planimetric maps also provide address points and other critical layers
as part of a County’s GIS system.
In late 2001, an address
questionnaire packet was delivered
to County residents.
This questionnaire asked for telephone and address information to assist
the County in developing an old address/new address database for the post
office and the telephone company.
The
·
The
number assignment formula is the 5.28 ft. interval.
·
·
Numbering
begins on a street from the southern or western access points of any given
street – except for a dead end.
Ø WEST TO EAST
Ø SOUTH TO NORTH
·
ODD
on the left, EVEN on the right.
·
For
a dead end, numbering begins at the beginning of the street, regardless of the
direction of the street.
·
A
road name is assigned to any road, thoroughfare, or right-a-way where three or
more addressable structures exist.
In unincorporated areas of the County:
An addressable structure is assigned an address based on
distance to the middle of the structure or the driveway, whichever is most
appropriate. The County uses the “5.28
addressing standard” assigning address intervals of one address every 5.28
feet, or 1,000 addresses per mile.
Obviously houses aren’t built 5.28 feet apart, but the standard allows
for a new address to be properly calculated once a structure is built. For roads that are primarily east to west,
numbering will begin from the west moving east.
For roads that are primarily north to south numbering will begin from
the south moving north. Numbering will
always be ODD ON THE LEFT and EVEN ON THE RIGHT. For roads that dead end, the numbering will
start at the beginning of the road regardless of the direction.
The
following are a sample of addresses:
distance ÷ 5.28 = address number
The
structure at 1408 Main Street is 7,438 feet - or 1.4 miles - from Smith Road
(7438 ÷ 5.28 = 1408).
If the distance to your home from the starting point of the
road is X, then your address = Y
|
Distance
(X) |
=
Address # (Y) |
|
52
feet |
10
|
|
100
Feet |
18
|
|
528
feet (1/10 of a mile) |
100
|
|
1/2
Mile (2,640 ft.) |
500
|
|
1
mile (5,280 ft.) |
1000
|
|
2.53
miles |
2,530 |
|
5
miles (26,400 ft.) |
5000
|
As of March 2006, the County has
approximately 2,429 road names. A list
of road names and subdivision names are available by clicking the appropriate links
below:
Jefferson County Road Name Index
Jefferson County Subdivision Name List
The County has replaced all road signs throughout the County because of
the large amount of road name changes.
This includes private subdivisions as well as
Primary Roadway -- Series C 6” lettering size, 9” plate
height/width, high-intensity green reflective sheeting with white lettering. Two plates mounted back to back separated by
rivets and mounted to a square 2 x 2 10’ post depict a roadway. Normally, a sign will depict two roadways so
there will be four signs.
Pictured is the typical sign on a state-maintained secondary
roadway.
Secondary
Private/Subdivision Roadway -- Series C 4” lettering size, 6” plate height/width,
high-intensity brown reflective sheeting with white lettering. Same mounting methods as primary
roadway.
The WVDOH has provided the
County with permission to use the
In April of 2003, the County began notifying all of its citizens of their new address. Throughout 2003, the Shepherdstown Post
Office (25443), the Shenandoah Junction Post Office (25442) and the
Kearneysville Post Office (25430) converted their addressing systems and began
using the new addresses. In 2004, the
Ranson Post Office, delivering for the Ranson zip code (25438) and Charles Town
zip code rural delivery (25414) converted and began using the new address. On October 16, 2004, the
If you have any questions
about the addressing system, notification process, sign project, or mapping
system, please
read the Frequently
Asked Questions or contact the Jefferson County Addressing Office by phone at
(304) 724-6759 or via email at addressing@jeffersoncountywv.org. A friendly
representative will be happy to assist you.
Present Day
Jefferson County has taken advantage of the benefits of addressing
and has implemented a comprehensive mapping solution in its 9-1-1 Emergency
Communications Center, the Addressing Office, the offices of Planning, Zoning
& Engineering, the Office of Emergency Management, and Sheriff’s
Department. Emergency response agencies
such as the
The
Road Naming and Subdivision Naming
The
All submissions must utilize the appropriate form for where the
submitter is building their subdivision.
Each incorporated city, and the County, has a form and instructions and
telephone numbers to submit the appropriate forms. If a developer is building in the City of
If submitting a reservation request for road names or subdivision
names, the submitter must follow the instructions on the form, sending the request
first through the appropriate planning entity, who will provide their approval
(or rejection), and then forward the form to the Addressing Office. The addressing coordinator is responsible for
reviewing all submissions, checking submissions for any duplicate or
confusingly similar names already assigned, and provide formal approval to the
submitter.
Before submitting any of the reservation
forms, it is suggested that a submitter view the present County Road Name Index or Subdivision Name List before submitting their names.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1.
Why is my address changing?
3.
My
mail is delivered to a Post Office Box.
Why do I need a new address?
5.
Do I need
to display my address?
6.
How
should I display my address?
7.
Who do
I need to inform of my new address?
8.
Is the
County going to pay for me to change my address on all of my personal items?
9.
I lost
the original paperwork that provided my new address. How can I find out what the address is?
10.
I am a
renter, what do I need in order to obtain a new drivers license?
12.
I am
having a house built on my lot. How do I
receive an address for my house?
14.
Our
street sign has been badly damaged. What
do I do?
15.
When
does a road need to be named?
17.
My
barn/workshop has a phone inside the building.
Does the barn/workshop need to have an address?
18.
I have
a fax machine/computer modem line. Do
you need to know the address for that telephone line?
19.
How
can I get a map that shows all the roads in the County?
20.
My
company would like to purchase the electronic digital data map of the county.
1.
Why is my
address changing?
An urban-style address, such as
2.
I’ve lived
here for 30 years and everybody knows me and where I live. Why do I need to change my address?
Logical, consistent addressing saves
lives. If someone new is hired as an
emergency personnel worker, they may not know you. Emergency responders from adjacent localities
and the state do not have the local knowledge either. You may not receive service from what you might
consider “your local emergency service provider” due to call volume and the
next closest company may have to respond to your emergency. Additionally, an emergency service provider
may be coming from a different direction so it is important to mark your house
with your addressing appropriately.
Also, companies that make deliveries to your house need a physical
address in order for you to receive your packages.
3.
My mail is delivered to a Post Office Box. Why do I need a new address?
If you use a Post
Office Box to receive your mail, your mailing address does not change,
only your physical address changes. The
physical address must only be used for utility companies, delivery companies,
and anyone else that may need to find your home or business.
4.
My mail is
delivered to a cluster box location because my subdivision does not allow mail
delivery to residents’ homes. Why do I
need a new address?
If you receive your mail at a cluster box,
both your mailing and physical address will be your new 9-1-1 address. An urban-style address, such as
5.
Do I need
to display my address?
Yes, the County
ordinance states that every structure must have their address properly
displayed within 30 days after you have been notified. Basically, a resident must display their
number on their house at their front door. If the front door is further than 50 feet
from the road, the address must be displayed at the end of the driveway as well
as at the front door. Below are further
details for display of number and, exact specifications can be found in the County ordinance by clicking here. The ordinance is
enforceable by fine.
6.
How should
I display my address?
Basically, a
resident must place their address on their house at or near their front door,
and at the end of their driveway if they are farther than 50 feet from the
road. You should display it so that it
is visible coming from any direction.
You should also place the numbers on your mailbox if you receive your
mail in a traditional mailbox and not a cluster unit. Here are some great pictures that follow good
signing practices.
Here’s some
details from the ordinance:
Display of Number
– Residential Structure – Each primary structure shall display the
number of the address assigned to that address.
The numbers shall be in Arabic numerals at least three (3) inches in
height, and of a durable and clearly visible material. The numbers shall be placed on, above, or at
the side of the main entrance so the number is clearly visible from the public
right-of-way. Whenever a residence
entrance is greater than fifty (50) feet from a public right of way, or not
clearly visible from the public right-of-way, a number shall also be placed
along a driveway, or property entrance.
Address numbers are to be a contrasting color to the background on which
they are mounted.
Display of
Number – Commercial and Industrial Structure – Address numbers for
commercial and industrial structures shall be at least six (6) inches in
height. The number shall be placed above
or on the main entrance to the structure when possible. If such number is not clearly visible from
the public right-of-way, the number shall be placed along a driveway or on a
sign visible from the same. Address numbers are to be a contrasting color to
the background on which they are mounted.
Display of
Number – Apartments and Similar – The address number assigned to a
single building number shall be displayed on each assigned structure and at
least six (6) inches in height. Numbers
and/or letters for individual apartments or units within these complexes shall
be displayed on, above, or to the side of the main doorway of each apartment or
unit.
Display of Number – Trailer Park and Similar – The address number assigned to a
trailer within an organized trailer park shall be one address number for the
trailer park with each trailer assigned a lot or space number. The lot or space number must be posted and
permanently affixed to the lot identifying the lot or space number. The main address to the trailer park must be
posted at the entrance of the park.
Address numbers are to be a contrasting color to the background on which
they are mounted.
Unless a third
structure is built along a right-of-way that you access your structure, you
should not be required to change your address.
7.
Who do I
need to inform of my new address?
You need to notify parties with whom you
correspond that your address has changed.
The Post Office will only deliver mail to your old address for one year
from the effective date of your address change.
In
The parties that you should notify may
include:
·
Utility Companies (Electric / Gas / Cable /
Satellite TV / Broadband Internet)
·
Telephone Company (change of address is
possible through your monthly bill if Frontier customer.)
·
Mortgage Company
·
Landlord
·
Insurance Companies
·
Department of Motor Vehicles
·
Jefferson
·
·
Credit Card Companies
·
Magazines/Newspapers
and Periodicals
8.
Is the
County going to pay for me to change my address on all of my personal items?
Unfortunately,
the County cannot pay for that and this will be the responsibility of the
person(s) affected by the address change.
9.
I lost the original paperwork that provided my new
address. How can I find out what the
9-1-1 address is for my home/business?
Contact the
Addressing Office at (304) 724-6759 and we can supply you with your new 9-1-1
address. You will need to provide us
some identifying information so that we’re sure we provide the proper address
to you.
10.
I am a renter, what do I need in order to
obtain a new drivers license?
You will need to come to the
Addressing Office located at 116
E. Washington Street
11.
The Department of Motor Vehicles needs
verification of my new address in order for me to obtain a new drivers
license. What do I do?
If you own your
home, the Department of Motor Vehicles can contact our office while you are at
the DMV getting your driver’s license.
We will verify your address through proper tax documentation, and then
fax a letter of address verification to the Department of Motor Vehicles. You may also contact or come to the Addressing
Office located at 116 E. Washington Street, Room 25, Charles Town, WV to receive a letter of address verification prior to going
to the Department of Motor Vehicles. You must also provide identification in the
form of government I.D. that ties you to the address.
If you are a
renter, you will need to come to the
Addressing Office located at
If your current driver’s license displays a Post Office Box as your
address, you will need to provide the Department of Motor Vehicles with your new
physical 9-1-1 address and be issued a new driver’s license.
12.
I am having a house built on my lot. How do I receive an address for my house?
A 9-1-1 address will not be assigned to a
structure until the foundation has been inspected and approved by the
Department of Planning, Zoning and Engineering (DPZ&E). The DPZ&E provides a list of all building
permits with approved inspections for new structures to the Addressing Office
on a weekly basis. An Addressing
Specialist visits the building site and using a Trimble GeoXT handheld GPS
unit, takes Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinate readings, submitting the
data for mapping and addressing. The
mapper inserts the new structure data into the County’s mapping system and
assigns the structure a 9-1-1 address.
This process can take about a week.
The owner of the structure should contact the Addressing Office to
obtain the 9-1-1 address. It is the
owner’s responsibility to contact the local Post Office to verify mail
delivery.
13.
I own a piece of property without a house
or building on the lot. Do I need to
obtain an address for the property?
No, only
structures are assigned a 9-1-1 address.
Empty lots will not have an address assigned until a structure
foundation is in place.
14.
Our street sign has been badly
damaged. What do I do?
Contact the
Addressing Office by calling (304) 724-6759.
An Addressing Specialist will complete a form detailing the location and
damage to the sign. Please be prepared
to provide the following information:
·
Your
name
·
Your
telephone number
·
Name
of the road
·
Name
of the intersecting road
·
What
color is the sign? Green or Brown
·
Does
the sign display both roads or only one road?
·
How
was the sign damaged (If known)?
·
Is
the sign still at that location?
·
What part
of the sign was damaged? The whole
sign? Blade? Post?
Anchor?
15.
When does a
road need to be named?
Any road or
right-of-way with three (3) or more houses/structures needs to be named. A Road Name Reservation Form must be completed and submitted to the Addressing
Office. The person building the third
structure is responsible for the costs associated with the signage for the
road. The Jefferson County Addressing
Office can calculate the exact costs of signage to provide to the person
responsible for payment. Once payment is
received, the Jefferson County Addressing Office will take care of having the
sign properly installed to the appropriate standards.
16.
My construction company is building a
subdivision in the county. How do the
roads being built get assigned names?
You will need to
obtain a Subdivision Name Reservation Form and an Application for Road Name
Reservation Form from the Addressing Office. (Click here to access
these forms online.) Please select the proper form for the location you are
building (an incorporated City versus unincorporated County). Once you have
completed these forms, if you are building in the unincorporated County and are
subject to County Plat Approval, submit them to the Department of Planning,
Zoning and Engineering (DPZ&E). They
will approve or reject the name(s) and pass it on to the Addressing Office for
final approval. If you are in an
incorporated city, print out the proper Road Name Reservation Form associated
with that city, and submit it to that City for approval. Once the City approves the submission, they
will forward it to the Addressing Office for final approval. Once the approval process is complete, the
Addressing Office will send out a letter informing you of what was approved or
rejected.