General
Addresses are assigned to occupiable structures, buildings, or lots ready to be built. To receive an address, a structure must be eligible for a Certificate of Occupancy. Accessory structures such as sheds or barns are not eligible for an address, even when located on a separate tax lot. An exception may be made when an accessory structure is used for a home occupation or business. Any structure or dwelling unit that requires its own Certificate of Occupancy must have its own address. This requirement also applies to all Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) commonly referred to as mother-in-law unit.
Address Request Application Requirements
A complete address request application must include applicant information, property information, and a site plan which clearly shows the following:
- North arrow, all property lines, and any easements on the site;
- Tax lot or parcel number(s);
- All existing and proposed structures (including labels and dimensions for each structure);
- Setback distances from all structures to property lines and easements;
- The structure requiring an address;
- All driveways and parking areas;
- Direction the addressed structure will face;
- Any existing or proposed ADUs.
Failure to submit a complete and accurate application may delay processing or require the application to be resubmitted.
Additionally, failure to identify the direction the structure will face and any ADUs in the original request will result in the applicant being required to submit a new address request form and pay the applicable addressing adjustment fee.
When an Address is Assigned
An address is assigned only after a property owner submits a complete address request application to the City. A building permit application may be submitted only after an address has been officially assigned to a lot.
- Subdivisions and Addressing Before Final Plat Approval
- Address requests for new lots in land partitions or subdivisions must be submitted before building permit applications are submitted. Addresses are required in order to submit a building permit application, and early coordination helps avoid delays in the permitting process.
- Address requests cannot be fulfilled by the City until after a new plat records.
- Addresses will only become active after a final plat has been recorded and the County has created new tax lots. Once these conditions are met and a complete address request is submitted, the City will assign addresses to tax lots.
- Clackamas County creates tax maps after plat recording and generally takes four weeks to complete the process depending on County staff availability. The applicant can contact the County to confirm their current timelines.
- The City will only prepare a preliminary subdivision addressing scheme prior to final plat approval and recording at the request of the applicant. Preliminary addresses are subject to change and may not be used for building permit applications or other official purposes until a final plat has been approved and new tax map lots are created.
Processing Time for Address Requests
The City makes every effort to issue a new or revised address within ten business days of receiving a complete address request application.
Address Request Fees
Applicants should refer to the City’s adopted fee schedule for current rates.
Agency Notifications and Applicant Responsibilities
Once an address is assigned, the City will notify local service agencies, including Clackamas 911, the Estacada Fire District, Arrow Sanitary, Reliance Connects, and the Estacada United States Postal Service, Portland General Electric, and relevant Clackamas County departments.
After an address is assigned, address numbers must be installed by the applicant, in such a manner that they are visible and legible from the street, in compliance with the Uniform Fire Code. The applicant should reach out to the Estacada Fire Marshal for these code requirements.
Mailboxes must be installed in accordance with United States Postal Service requirements. The applicant should reach out to the Postal Office for these standards.
It is the applicant’s responsibility to notify any additional service providers not listed above, including but not limited to the DMV, mortgage lenders, and phone/internet providers.
Address Adjustments and Incomplete Requests
If an applicant fails to disclose all structures, dwelling units, or fails to identify the orientation of the structure on an initial address request and the City later determines that an address adjustment is necessary, a new address request must be submitted. In such cases, the applicant is responsible for paying the applicable address adjustment fee as identified in the City’s fee schedule.
Ownership and Signature Requirements
When a property is owned by a partnership or corporation, a partner or authorized corporate officer may sign address-related applications as the owner. Tenants and lessees are not permitted to sign on behalf of a property owner.
Address Changes Initiated by the City
If the City deems that an address change is necessary, the City will provide advance written notice to the affected property owner(s). The City requires address changes only when no other reasonable alternative is available, and the final decision regarding an address change rests with the City.
Such changes are most commonly initiated to improve emergency service response times by creating clearer distinctions between dwelling units. These changes also help service providers and delivery carriers more easily identify properties and align the City’s addressing system with Clackamas County standards.
Owners of property whose address has been changed are encouraged to notify any service providers not notified by the City of the address change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I choose my address number or street name?
No, street names are approved during the planning process. Address numbers are assigned by the City and cannot be selected by the applicant.
Will the City assign addresses to new lots created by subdivision before the plat is recorded?
The City may prepare a preliminary addressing scheme, but preliminary addresses are not active and do not become official until a final plat is recorded and tax lots are created by the County.
How long does it take the County to create tax lots after a plat records?
The County typically creates tax lots within approximately four weeks after a plat is recorded. The applicant can contact the County to confirm their current timelines.
Can I apply for a building permit before I have an address?
No. A building permit application may only be submitted after an address has been officially assigned to a lot.
Do accessory dwelling units (ADUs) need their own address?
Yes. Any ADU or structure that requires its own Certificate of Occupancy must have its own address.
Are accessory structures eligible for addresses?
No, an accessory structure may only be assigned an address if it is used for a home occupation or business.
How will emergency services and utility companies know I have a new address?
The City notifies emergency services, utilities, and other agencies as soon as an address has been assigned or changed.
Who can I contact with questions about addressing?
For questions about address assignments, changes, or the address request form, please contact the Community Development Department via phone, email, or in person at Estacada City Hall during business hours:
Related Links
Address Request Form (PDF)
Address Assignment and Changes Process & FAQ (PDF)