By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

ALABASTER – All Alabaster address numbers must now be clearly visible from the street, as the City Council passed an ordinance during its Oct. 9 meeting setting requirements for address number size and visibility.

Council members voted unanimously during the meeting to add sections to the city’s code of ordinances outlining the address visibility requirements.

“Basically, this makes everything uniform across the city so everyone’s address is visible from the street,” said Ward 4 Councilman Greg Farrell.

As a result of the new ordinance, “all address numbers shall be readily visible from the nearest street or throughway” to the address’s driveway or parking area, or from the street closest to the property if no such driveway or parking area exists.

In addition to being visible from the street, the address numbers must contrast with their background, numbers must not be spelled out and each character must be at least 4 inches tall “unless otherwise approved by the fire code official.”

For homes and buildings accessed by means of a private road or driveway, the address numbers must be placed on a monument, pole or other sign.

Those found guilty of violating the ordinance will be charged with a misdemeanor. No penalties will be assessed against any property in the city before Jan. 1, 2018.

Farrell, a retired Alabaster firefighter, said address visibility is a public safety issue.

“When I was a firefighter, we went on several calls where we couldn’t even find the residence because it wasn’t properly marked,” Farrell said. “It’s very frustrating at times when you get a call and you can’t find the residence. This is important because it can be a life safety issue.”