Street naming and numbering
We are responsible for street naming and numbering within County Durham.
This includes:
- assigning official street names to new and existing streets
- assigning official property numbers to all new and existing properties
- changes to and allocation of property names
- renaming of streets and renumbering of properties
- the replacement and maintenance of street nameplates
- ensuring that the Royal Mail are notified of new or amended property addresses to enable them to assign post codes
- ensuring that the emergency and essential services are notified of all new properties and streets
The property owner is responsible for:
- clearly displaying their property number
- using the correct official address including the property number (if allocated)
Charges
Item | Charge |
---|---|
Property name additions and changes | £66 per property |
Addressing or numbering of new properties (on an existing road) | £71 for first plot plus £5 per additional plot |
Naming of a new street (additional charge to the above numbering, where a new street name is required) | £195 |
Sub-division of properties (based upon number of properties created including original) | £66 admin fee plus £5 per flat |
Renaming of a street where requested by residents | £570 |
Temporary housing signs (yellow and black signs) | £198 per development |
Confirmation of address to solicitors, conveyancers, occupiers or owners | £33 |
Development re-number due to change in plot numbers, or plot positions | £128 admin fee plus £10 per property |
Address issued / confirmed when replacement property built (as the original address will have been removed following the demolition as address may be different to original property) reactivation of address. | £66 per property |
Challenges / requests / revisions to existing street naming and numbering schemes | £39 per hour |
These charges are not subject to VAT.
Street name plates
Addresses for new developments
If you are building new housing, or turning an existing property into multiple flats, you should contact us to arrange for the allocation of addresses. The naming of streets can be a lengthy process.
For a new property we will assign a new number. However, where this is not possible, for example on a road where all the properties already have names and not numbers, we will issue a new property with a name.
On large developments naming and numbering will only be added to phases of a detailed or reserved matters planning approval that has started commenced. Further phases will be charged separately.
Request an address for a new property, building conversion or a change of address
Adding or changing a name for your property
Your property must already have a number. A fee of £56 will be charged for adding or changing a name.
Where possible, names should reflect the history of the area or acknowledge the local geography whilst being BS7666 compliant. They must be clearly displayed at the entrance or drive to the property. They should not:
- replace the property number
- be the same as, or similar to, another house name in the area, for example, Rose House and Rose Cottage - only one property named Rose will be accepted
- replicate street names
- include the word 'flat' in any form
- be named with a business name as this such be added to the address separately
- include anything that could be seen as obscene, racist or against our equal opportunities policies
- be named after living people
- include abbreviations or punctuation should be used, ie Marks House rather than Mark's Hse.
Postcodes
We are not responsible for issuing postcodes. Please contact Royal Mail with any postcode queries.
- Email streetnamingandnumbering@durham.gov.uk
- Telephone 03000 263694