House Numbers for Emergency Personnel

Can we find you in an Emergency?

House NumbersIn an Emergency, Police, Fire and Rescue Workers depend on house numbers to find you as quickly as possible.  Finding your home - especially at night - can be challenging if address numbers are unreadable, hidden, unlighted or have missing numbers and may delay emergency responders from getting to you as quickly as possible.

Are your house numbers visible from the street or back lane? If you live on a corner, does your house number face the street named in your address? Are the house numbers set on a background of contrasting color?

If you've answered "no" to any of these questions, please follow the guidelines below to make sure your house number is easy to read:

  1. Numbers must be visible from the street and back lane of each building. 
  2. Numbers should be placed on a contrasting background.
  3. Numbers should be placed on or beside the front/back door.  If your door is not easily seen from the street or back lane, put the numbers on a post, fence or tree at the driveway entrance so they can be clearly seen from the street or back lane.
  4. The larger the numbers, the better. Use numbers that are at least 4" high. 
  5. Be sure that the view of the numbers is not obstructed by shrubs, trees, or decorations, such as flags.