4" Street Numbers on House

**Bruce Ramsey** · 08-11-2012, 01:05 PM

Seems like I saw a ICC reference that requires 4" high numbers posted on the exterior of the house that are visible from the street. I can't find a specific IRC reference.

Can anyone point in the right direction? Thanks

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**Billy Stephens** · 08-11-2012, 04:49 PM

Originally Posted by Bruce Ramsey

Seems like I saw a ICC reference that requires 4" high numbers posted on the exterior of the house that are visible from the street. I can't find a specific IRC reference.

Can anyone point in the right direction? Thanks

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NC OSFM | Building Code Council – Engineering and Codes
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**Billy Stephens** · 08-11-2012, 04:57 PM

Originally Posted by Bruce Ramsey

Seems like I saw a ICC reference that requires 4" high numbers posted on the exterior of the house that are visible from the street. I can't find a specific IRC reference.

Can anyone point in the right direction? Thanks

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It is a Raleigh Fire Code Requirement Fire Safety for Apartments - The Official City of Raleigh Portal
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**Jerry Peck** · 08-11-2012, 05:36 PM

From the 2006 IRC
- SECTION R321
- - SITE ADDRESS
- - - R321.1 Premises identification. Approved numbers or addresses shall be provided for all newbuildings in such a position as to be plainly visible and legible from the street or road fronting the property.

From the 2009 IRC
- SECTION R319
- - SITE ADDRESS
- - - R319.1 Address numbers. Buildings shall have approved address numbers, building numbers or approved building identification placed in a position that is plainly legible and visible from the street or road fronting the property. These numbers shall contrast with their background. Address numbers shall be Arabic numbers or alphabetical letters. Numbers shall be a minimum of 4 inches (102 mm) high with a minimum stroke width of 1/2 inch (12.7 mm). Where access is by means of a private road and the building address cannot be viewed from the public way, a monument, pole or other sign or means shall be used to identify the structure.

**Jack Feldmann** · 08-11-2012, 07:45 PM

In my area they paint them on the curbs. White numbers over a dark background. Sometimes they put them on the mailboxes. Hardly ever do I see them actually attached to the house or building.

**Matt Fellman** · 08-11-2012, 10:45 PM

Originally Posted by Jack Feldmann

In my area they paint them on the curbs. White numbers over a dark background. Sometimes they put them on the mailboxes. Hardly ever do I see them actually attached to the house or building.

Ours are on the houses here 95% of the time.... you can usually spot them from the street. My neighborhood also has the painted curb numbers.... A guy comes around once a year and re-paints them for $15 a house. I've always had him do it when I'm home and catch him. I suppose I should just buy the stencils and do it myself. 1 can of spray paint and $7 worth of stencils would pretty much cover it for the next 20 years. I guess I'm just lazy and a sucker for a guy with a witty business model.

**Raymond Wand** · 08-12-2012, 04:34 AM

I put this blurb in my reports.

HOUSE NUMBERING
How many times have we all been on the way to a property and had trouble finding the street address numbers on a house? Not to mention the odd sized lots or undeveloped land in between. In fact, if it weren’t for the FOR SALE sign or other description, most of us would probably pass by the house.

It seems like something most of us take for granted, but an address number visible from the curb is extremely important during an emergency. Most likely, the police, fire, or ambulances will have the same problem in time of emergency when seconds count especially at night.

Reflective type numbers are available at hardware stores; they're weather resistant and can be applied on almost any surface. Please remember when installing numbers on entrance points, or street mailbox (both sides) that the numbers can easily be seen from the street. It only takes a minute and who knows you may save a life.

**Bruce Ramsey** · 08-12-2012, 10:20 AM

Thanks all!

I was a member of fire/rescue/ems for over a decade and am quite familar with the difficulty in finding addresses on a strange road at night with no directions.

Jerry. Thanks I was looking for the IRC reference. I have 2006 but not the 09. That was why I couldn't find it. Guess it is time to update my library and get both the 09 and 12 versions.

**Rich Goeken** · 08-13-2012, 04:58 AM

Originally Posted by Jack Feldmann

In my area they paint them on the curbs. White numbers over a dark background. Sometimes they put them on the mailboxes. Hardly ever do I see them actually attached to the house or building.

Sounds like a great idea except when cars are parked along the street. Should be on house too.