Naming Policies for Public Facilities and Streets

Overview

Having a street naming policy based on a set of criteria can prevent conflict in communities. Some street naming policies also include addressing systems and requirements to display addresses. It can also provide historical contexts for future generations in communities, especially if a name was intended as a tribute to someone from the community's past. Some jurisdictions provide honorary street names while retaining official street names.

Examples of Naming Policies for Public Facilities

• Bainbridge Island Public Property Names and Name Changes Policy (2023) – Covers municipally owned property such as buildings, structures, parks, and some rights-of-way. Does not cover properties on historic registers.
• Bonney Lake Municipal Code Ch. 12.10 – Policy for naming parks, open spaces, and municipal facilities.
• Tacoma Resolution No. 41009 (2022) – Adopts revised official Policy on Place Names and Name Changes. Includes section on street naming alternatives for the commemoration of individuals or organizations.
• Yelm Municipal Code Ch. 12.22 – Establishes criteria for choosing names for public parks, public facilities, and/or streets.

Examples of Naming Policies for Park & Recreation Facilities

• Concrete Municipal Code Ch. 12.25 – Policy for naming parks, open spaces, and recreational areas.
• Metro Parks Tacoma Assets Naming Policy (2023) – Criteria for naming parks, facilities, programs, and other assets. Addresses naming process; historic events, people, and places; outstanding individuals; major donor gifts; and corporate naming rights
• Olympia Municipal Code Ch. 12.62 – Establishes naming criteria and procedures for city-owned public buildings, properties, parks, and park facilities.
• Seattle
  • Municipal Code Ch. 18.08 – Provides park naming procedures, including parks and park related facilities. Establishes creation of Naming Committee.
  • Parks & Recreation Department Naming Policy & Procedure (2023)
• Walla Walla Municipal Code Ch. 2.44 – Provides procedures and establishes that a name should be selected with the intention that it will be permanent, and changes should be strongly resisted.

Naming and Numbering Street Regulations

• International Fire Code (2009) – Below are excerpts from Section 505, Premises Identification:
  • Sec. 505.1 Address Identification. New and existing 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 numerals or alphabet letters. Numbers shall be a minimum of 4 inches (101.6 mm) high with a minimum stroke width of 0.5 inch (12.7 mm). Where access is by means of a private road and the building cannot be viewed from the public way, a monument, pole or other sign or means shall be used to identify the structure.
  • Sec. 505.2 Street or road signs. Streets and roads shall be identified with approved signs. Temporary signs shall be installed at each street intersection when construction of new roadways allows passage by vehicles. Signs shall be of an approved size, weather resistant and be maintained until replaced by permanent signs.
• Washington State Department of Transportation: Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices – Contains regulations for the placement of street name signs and memorials, including links to MUTCD and WAC amendments.
  • Chapter 2D. Guide Signs - Conventional Roads – See Sec. 2D.43 Street Name Signs (D3-1 or D3-1a).
  • Chapter 2M. Recreational and Cultural Interest Area Signs – See Sec. 2M.10 Memorial or Dedication Signing.

Examples of Naming and Numbering Policies for Streets

Codes and Policies

• Bainbridge Island Municipal Code Ch. 12.16 – Establishes the authority to assign road names and numbers, and address structures. Maintains existing road names and numbers and provides a method for assigning new names and numbers. Requires display of address.
• Des Moines Municipal Code Ch. 12.50 – Sets street names and building addresses requirements.
• Lacey Municipal Code Ch. 12.04 and Ch. 12.05 – Offers uniform street naming and house numbering policy and requires display of address, along with street name adoption process.
• Ocean Shores Municipal Code Ch. 12.16 – Provides requirements for street names and house and building numbers. Requires display of address.
• Richland Municipal Code Ch. 12.01 – Sets a uniform and standardized system of street naming and addressing. See Sec. 12.01.080 for street naming policy.
• SeaTac Municipal Code Ch. 11.40 – Offers procedures for designation of street names and numbers. See Sec. 11.40.070 for council designation or redesignation of streets.
• Spokane Municipal Code Ch.17D.050A – Provides roadway naming and addressing policy. See Sec. 17D.050.110 for change in roadway or address status.
• Walla Walla Municipal Code Ch. 12.64.030 – Provides street name review requirements.
• Woodinville Municipal Code Ch. 12.15 – Procedure for assigning names to city streets. See Sec. 12.15.060 for council redesignation of streets.

Informational Handouts and Forms

• Bellingham Addressing and Street Names – Contains application for address request and street names. 
• Spokane Street Name Change Application Form (2018)

Honorary Naming Policies

Honorary street names allow residents the opportunity to honor people who have made significant community contributions. Below are a few policy examples.

• Battle Ground Resolution 22-03 (2022) – Adopting a street naming policies to ensure naming has public support and appropriate connotations. 
• Tukwila Resolution No. 2052 (2022) – Adopts a policy for naming or renaming city-owned property including parks, facilities, buildings, and streets, including honorary street designations.
• Whatcom County Code Sec. 12.60.150 – Honorary Road Naming