ORD NO 08-2025 CITY OF VAN BUREN,ARKANSAS
ORDINANCE NO.a-2025
BE IT ENACTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL, FOR THE CITY OF VAN BUREN,
ARKANSAS,AN ORDINANCE TO BE ENTITLED:
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE VAN BUREN MUNICIPAL CODE FOR THE
PURPOSE OF AMENDING CHAPTER 11.52 HOUSE NUMBERING
CONCERNING THE PROCESS FOR APPROVING PLACEMENT OF HOUSE
NUMBERS ON MULTI-FAMILY, COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL
DEVELOPMENTS
WHEREAS, Ordinance 01-2006 is codified in Chapter 11.52 of the Van Buren Municipal Code;
and
WHEREAS, notice of a Public Hearing was duly published,and a Public Hearing was conducted
by the Van Buren Planning Commission on March 4,2025,to consider a proposed
amendment to Chapter 11.52 of the Van Buren Municipal Code; and
WHEREAS, following the public hearing, the proposed amendment was by a majority of the
Planning Commission; and
NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT ORDAINED AND ENACTED BY THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF VAN BUREN,ARKANSAS THAT:
SECTION 1: The following new paragraph (F) is added to Section 11.52.02 of the Van Buren
Municipal Code:
F. When approved by the Planning, Building, and Fire Departments, multiple
duplex developments, multi-family developments, commercial and
industrial developments,the address numbers may be placed on any exterior
wall of the building facing the street to which the building is addressed.The
address numbers shall be located in a conspicuous place on the building(s)
or at a location in accordance with this section. If the applicant does not
agree with a decision by the Planning,Building, and Fire Departments,the
owner or their agent may submit a variance application in accordance with
this Ordinance.
SECTION 2: The various provisions and parts of this Ordinance are hereby declared to be
severable, and, if any section or part of a section, or any provision or part of a
provision herein, is declared to be unconstitutional, inappropriate,or invalid by any
court of competent jurisdiction, such holding shall not invalidate or affect the
remainder of this Ordinance and to that extent the provisions hereto are declared
to be severable.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF,the City of Van B ran, Arkansas, by its City Council, did
pass, approve, and adopt, by a vote of for and / against,the foregoing Ordinance at its
regular meeting held on the 17th day of arch 2025.
co k TrL,
J eph . Hurst
City of Van Buren r
ATTESTED: O'ZCounty. APPROVEDLAS TO FORM:
Shawnna Rey ds well
City Clerk/Treasurer City Attorney -
City of Van Buren, sas
MunicipalComplex
1003 Broadway * Van Buren, Arkansas 72956
VAN BUREN CITY COUNCIL MEMORANDUM
TO: MAYOR JOE HURST AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: WALLY BAILEY,PLANNING DIRECTOR
SUBJECT: AMENDMENT TO THE VAN BUREN MUNICIPAL CODE
CHAPTER 11.52 HOUSE NUMBERING
DATE: MARCH 10, 2025
We have had several instances where commercial or multi-family developments have been
required to obtain variances from the Planning Commission to comply with the House
Numbering or Addressing Ordinance of the City of Van Buren.
Some examples of when these variances have been required, includes 7Brew, Guzzle Soda,
Chick-fil-A, Dairy Queen and multiple duplex/multi-family developments. The variances were
necessary to comply with the current ordinance requirement that the address number be placed
over the front entrance of the building that is facing the street. These developments did not have
a front entrance facing the street which required a variance for the placement of the address
numbers.
I recommend an amendment that will allow the Planning,Building and Fire Department staff to
approve the placement of address numbers for multi-family, commercial and industrial
developments. This will allow for an administrative review process for these
buildings/developments in lieu of an application and meeting with the Planning Commission.
The Planning Commission held a public hearing on March 4,2025, and following the public
hearing voted unanimously to recommend the amendment to the City Council.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Title 11-BUILDINGS AND CONSTRUCTION
CHAPTER 11.52 HOUSE NUMBERING
CHAPTER 11.52 HOUSE NUMBERING
11.52.01 Responsibility.
Property addresses within the Van Buren City limits shall be the responsibility of the City of Van Buren.The
Mayor's authorized representative, herein called the City Representative,shall assign new property addresses in
accordance with this chapter.
(Ord. No. 1-2006,Sec. 1.)
11.52.02 Numbering system.
A. Within the City of Van Buren,the north-south addressing baseline is hereby designated as Arkansas Highway
59 from the north City limits extending south to Hemlock Avenue then west to the west end of Hemlock
Avenue,then south along Highland Avenue to Elm Avenue and continuing south along Major Henry to the
Arkansas River and the east-west addressing baseline is hereby is hereby designated as Main Street/Kibler
Road(AR Hwy 162)from the Arkansas River to the east City limits.All avenues,streets and alleys running
generally north and south shall be numbered to increase from the east-west addressing baseline
consecutively to the City limits or the extremity of such avenue,alley or street.Avenues,streets or alleys
running generally east and west shall be numbered to increase from the north-south addressing baseline in
the same manner.
B. One(1)whole number shall have been assigned for every twenty-five(25)feet of street frontage whether
improved property or vacant lot on every street within the corporate limits.Odd numbers shall be assigned
to the left side of the street on all north-south streets as address numbers increase away from the east-west
addressing baseline,and even numbers on the right side. On east-west streets,odd numbers shall be
assigned to the left side of the street as address numbers increase away from the north-south addressing
baseline,and even numbers on the right side.
C. All numbers assigned to property and buildings shall be assigned on the basis of one for each twenty-five(25)
feet street frontage.Where a lot of record is in excess of twenty-five(25)feet of road frontage,with a single
building accessed by a driveway,the building address shall be the nearest address number corresponding to
the location of the building's front door.
D. For a building located along a driveway or unnamed private road,which is visible from a public street,the
address number shall be the nearest number corresponding to the junction of the driveway with the public
street.
E. All address numbers assigned to buildings shall be assigned to the front(front entrance side)of the building.
F. When approved by the Planning, Building, and Fire Departments, multiple duplex developments, multi-family
developments,commercial and industrial developments,the address numbers may be placed on any exterior
wall of the building facing the street to which the building is addressed.The address numbers shall be located
in a conspicuous place on the building(s)or at a location in accordance with this section. If the applicant does
not agree with a decision by the Planning, Building,and Fire Departments,the owner or their agent may
submit a variance application in accordance with this Ordinance.
(Ord. No. 1-2006,Sec.2.)
Van Buren,Arkansas,Municipal Code Created: 2025-01-06 08:40:23 [EST]
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11.52.03 Platted subdivisions.
In platted residential subdivisions,the City Representative shall assign each lot an address.Address numbers will
be assigned to the center of each lot.Address numbers shall be assigned to lots in the appropriate odd or even
numerical sequence in accordance with section 11.52.02. Corner lots shall be assigned two(2)addresses.The City
Representative, based on the building permit site plan,will determine the official address for corner lots.The front
building entrance shall establish the front of the building for purposes of addressing and determining building
setback requirements.
(Ord. No. 1-2006,Sec.3.)
11.52.04 Owners to provide numbers.
Every property owner of improved property for which a building permit is issued shall purchase and display in a
conspicuous place on said property the address number assigned.The number herein required shall not be less
than three(3)inches in height and shall be of durable reflective material to enhance visibility.The number(s)shall
be conspicuously placed on the front of each building so that the number is visible from and oriented toward the
street on which the number is based.Whenever any building is situated so it is not clearly visible from the street
the number(s)assigned shall be placed near the driveway or common entrance to such buildings. Numbers painted
or stenciled on shall not be a substitute for the display of address numbers as described in this chapter. No
occupancy certificate shall be issued for any improved property for which a building permit is issued until the
provisions of this chapter have been met.
(Ord. No. 1-2006,Sec.4.)
11.52.05 Variance procedure.
An appeal or application for variance may be made to the Board of Adjustment by any person,firm or corporation
aggrieved,or by any governmental officer,department, board or bureau affected by any decision of the City
Representative herein, based in whole or in part upon the provisions of this chapter.The Board of Adjustment shall
publish a notice of the time and place of a public hearing upon such appeal or application for variation;such notice
shall be published at least once, not less than ten(10)days preceding the date of such hearing in an official paper
or newspaper of general circulation in Van Buren,such notice to contain the particular location for which the
appeal or variation is requested as well as a brief statement of what the proposed appeal or variation consists of.A
sign three(3)feet wide and four(4)feet high shall be placed upon the property by the Building Inspector giving the
date, place of the public hearing and what the appeal or variance consists of,fifteen (15) days before the date of
the public hearing.The Board shall also give notice of such hearing to interested persons and organizations as it
shall deem feasible and practicable. Upon the date of the hearing any party may appear before the board in
person or by attorney.The applicant shall be required to pay a filing fee of ten dollars($10.00)to cover the cost of
publishing and mailing notices and such other expenses as may be incurred in connection with such appeal or
application.
(Ord. No. 1-2006,Sec.5.)
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