Street naming and numbering

The street naming and numbering process can be complex, especially for larger developments. You should allow around 6 weeks for this process, larger developments may take longer.

Maintaining a high standard for street naming and numbering is important as it allows:

  • Emergency services to locate properties quickly
  • Post to be delivered efficiently
  • Reliable delivery of goods and services
  • Visitors able to easily locate their destination

Under the Town Improvement Clauses Act 1847 and the Public Health Act 1925 we have a duty to provide houses and developments with street names and numbers. No address within ºÚÁÏÍøÕ¾ is legal or recognised unless authorised by us.

New developments and conversions

It is important that your new development is named and numbered early in the building process, but can only be considered once planning permission is granted. Developers should complete an application form and return it to us along with:

  • Site plans (no larger than A3) 
  • Site location and layout plans x2 
  • Identifying properties addressed with plot numbers 
  • Access point of each individual property shown with a red dot or arrow 
  • Layout plan of each floor (block of flats) 
  • Appropriate fee

Marketing information

Developers must not allocate naming or numbering as part of their marketing strategy. It should be pointed out in the literature distributed to purchasers that marketing names used for the development, may not form part of the final address.

Naming

Developers are welcome to submit their own suggestions for street names. Consideration to the local community or history of the area is to be given, however the final decision lies with us.

Installation and maintenance

We will supply and install street nameplates, however the cost for this lies with the developer. Maintenance of street nameplates becomes our responsibility once the street is adopted by us.

Renaming or adding a name to an address

If you wish to change or give a name to a property, you must obtain approval from us. 

If your property has a house number, the house number cannot be removed from the address. You may have a house name in addition to the number. 

You cannot add or change the name of your property unless you either own it or have the landlord’s permission.

If you would like to add a house name to your address or change a name that already exists, please complete an application form and return with the appropriate fee.

Renaming/numbering a street

On rare occasions it may be necessary to rename or renumber a street. This is usually only done as a last resort when:

  • There is confusion over a street name and/or numbering system
  • A group of residents are unhappy with the street name
  • The number of named only properties is causing confusion for visitors, delivery or emergency services

If you would like to rename/renumber a street, please complete an application form and return with the appropriate fee.

Registering a commercial address

It is recommended that you register your company’s commercial address if you move into new business premises, or take over an existing building.

If you wish to have a commercial address registered, please complete an application form, return with the appropriate fee and attach a site location plan identifying the site.

Application

All application forms and fees should be returned to:

Street naming and numbering, Town Hall, The Boulevard, ºÚÁÏÍøÕ¾, RH10 1UZ or your form can be emailed to Street naming.

Charges

Check our fees directory (search for naming) for current charges for street naming services. 

Upon receipt of an application form and the appropriate fee, we will notify organisations of your address on your behalf. These include Police, Fire and Ambulance Services, Electoral Services, Council Tax, Royal Mail, Ordnance Survey, and Land Registry.

Damaged and replacement street nameplates

(select the benches and street furniture option).