Address Signs: What You Need to Know

Help First Responders Find Your Home!

Install Reflective Address Signs that they Can See in the Dark and Through the Smoke

First responders need to be able to find your residence at any time – but especially in emergencies. The more you help make their job easier, the faster they can move through neighborhoods helping everyone. These are RULES – not suggestions.

Vertical and Horizontal green reflective address signs

Address Sign Specs

4” Reflective numbers on a contrasting background, double-sided. Common sized aluminum green signs are 6”x18” or 6”x20”

Property Placards

Because many Napa County properties are located up long driveways or behind locked gates, it’s imperative that First Responders are provided key information that will assist them in accessing your property in a time of emergency. Information related to water sources, turnarounds for fire apparatus, number of buildings, or special instructions pertaining to your property are all critical pieces to ensuring safety to person and property.

Common sizes of green signs are: 12”x18”, 12”x24”, and 18”x24”. Reflective lettering sizes range from 3”, 2.5”, and 2” depending on the length of verbiage relevant. These signs are ideally placed at the gate entrance of a property.

horizontal reflective address sign

For any questions or assistance, please contact the Napa County Fire Marshal’s Office: (707) 299-1464. 

Where to Purchase an Address Sign

Signs are available from online retailers or at local sign shops.

Napa County Fire Department Regulations

The Napa County Fire Department regulations regarding premise identification are as follows:

505.1 Address identification

New and existing buildings shall be provided with approved address identification. The address identification shall be legible and placed in a position that is visible from the street or road fronting the property. Address identification characters shall contrast with their background. Address numbers shall be Arabic numbers or alphabetical letters. Numbers shall not be spelled out. Each character shall be not less than 4 inches (102 mm) high with a minimum stroke width of 1/2 inch (12.7 mm). Where required by the fire code official, address identification shall be provided in additional approved locations to facilitate emergency response. Where access is by means of a private road and the building cannot be viewed from the public way, a monument, pole or other sign or means shall be used to identify the structure. Address identification shall be maintained.

505.2 Street or road signs

Streets and roads shall be identified with approved signs. Temporary signs shall be installed at each street intersection when construction of new roadways allows passage by vehicles. Signs shall be of an approved size, weather-resistant and be maintained until replaced by permanent signs.

Approved Address Sign Requirements

Here are some requirements to ensure you can be found by first responders in the event of an emergency. These “911” signs are available at local hardware stores or online.