Premises Identification

The City of Biddeford Code Enforcement Office requires all new and existing buildings to have house and apartment numbers. To ensure that the numbers are visible, residents are encouraged to post them as follows:

• First preference should be to put a number on the front of the structure where it is clearly visible from the street or road. These numbers should be at least 3 1/2 inches in height and shall contrast with their background.
• The mailbox should be marked with the property number if the box is in front of and on the same side of the road as the structure.
• When a mailbox is not in front of the structure, a number should be displayed on the mail box and the structure, if it is visible from the road.
• If the structure is not visible from the road and no mail box is beside the driveway leading to the structure, a sign or post should be erected to display the number.
• Mailboxes at the end of private roads should display the property number and road name to avoid confusing emergency responders who see property numbers that might appear to be out of sequence along a road.
• In Maine, it is very important that any posted number be placed high enough not to be obscured by snow during an average winter.
• Property owners using post office boxes for mailing addresses should also be encouraged to post their property numbers in a manner suggested above, so their physical address number will be visible in an emergency situation.
• Apartment numbers shall also be posted as well as the house number. These numbers should be at least 1 1/2 inches in height.
• The next time you drive home, look to see if your number is noticeable from the street. If you can’t see it, most likely we won’t.

For questions or additional information you may contact the Fire Prevention Office at 207-282-6632.