HOUSE NUMBERING

       Emergency responders use house numbers as the primary way to identify properties when responding to incidents.  Improperly displayed house numbers can cost emergency responders critical time in identifying your house ultimately delaying their response to your emergency.

Make sure you have properly displayed house numbers.  They should be:

        1.    Numbers should be between 3 and 12 inches tall  (written script by itself is not acceptable)

        2.    Numbers should be a contrasting color to their background

        3.    Numbers should be posted on the house and visible from the street

        4.    If the numbers on the house cannot be seen from the street, an additional set needs to be at the street or roadway; usually affixed to a post or mailbox and contrasting color to their background

MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL LAW CHAPTER 148 SECTION 59

AFFIXED IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS ON HOMES, CONDOMINIUMS, AND BUSINESS ESTABLISHMENTS     

Every building in the Commonwealth, including, but not limited to, dwellings, apartment buildings, condominiums, and business establishments shall have affixed thereto a number representing the address of such building.  Said number shall be of a nature and size and shall be situated on the building so that, to the extent practicable, it is visible from the nearest street or road providing vehicular access to such building.

The statewide emergency telecommunications board shall cause such number and the address of such building to be entered into the electronic data base for use in enhanced 911 service as defined in section eighteen A of chapter six A.