In an emergency, Firefighters, Paramedics & Police Officers 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 road? Are they set on a background of contrasting color? If your house is hidden from the street, are your numbers attached to a visible fence, mailbox or gate? Is your mobile home identified with your Lot number? If you live on a corner, does your house number face the street named in your address?

If you've answered "no" to any of these questions, please consider purchasing a Reflective Address Sign to mark your house. It may save your life, or the life of a loved one.

Chapter 70 BUILDINGS, NUMBERING OF

§ 70-1. Short title- This chapter shall be known as and may be cited as the “Franklin Township House Numbering Ordinance.”

§ 70-2. Display of house number or address. [Amended 4-5-2001 by Ord. No. 2001-01] The house number or address of the residence or dwelling shall be displayed on the dwelling and at a location on the property where it abuts public access, such as the mailbox post or other such post, pole, or structure, of all residences within Franklin Township, Adams County, Pennsylvania. The identifying numbers located at the public access site shall be of a material that reflects light. All identifying numbers shall be of a contrasting color to the supporting structure, and shall be no less than three inches in height. At the public access location, the identifying numbers shall be displayed on both sides of the supporting structure, and on residences the identifying numbers shall be affixed to the residence in such a manner as to be visible from the nearest public right-of-way. In situations wherein more than one residence is located on a common drive, all residences must be marked so as to be visible from the lane or common driveway.

§ 70-3. Notification of noncompliance - Upon notification of noncompliance with this chapter by the Franklin Township Board of Supervisors, and/or said Board's authorized representative(s), the notified party(ies) shall have 15 days from the date of receipt of such notification within which to comply with this chapter without penalty. Said notification may be in written or oral form.

§ 70-4. Notice of requirements - Upon issuance of a building permit, the Franklin Township Code Enforcement Officer shall inform the person(s) to whom the permit is issued of the requirements of this chapter; provided, however, that the alleged absence of such notice shall not constitute a defense in any prosecution under this chapter.

§ 70-5. Violations and penalties - Any person who violates or permits a violation of this chapter, shall, upon conviction in a summary proceeding brought before a District Justice under the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure, be guilty of a summary offense and shall be punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000, plus costs of prosecution. In default of payment thereof, the defendant may be sentenced to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 90 days. Each day or portion thereof that such violation continues or is permitted to continue shall constitute a separate offense, and each section of this chapter that is violated shall also constitute a separate offense.

§ 70-6. Compliance with chapter - Although this chapter shall be effective five days from the date of enactment hereof, all persons and entities shall have a period of 30 days from such effective date within to comply with the requirements of this chapter.