Street naming and numbering

We are responsible for street naming and numbering within County Durham.

This includes:

assigning official street names to new and existing streets
assigning official property numbers to all new and existing properties
changes to and allocation of property names
renaming of streets and renumbering of properties
the replacement and maintenance of street nameplates
ensuring that the Royal Mail are notified of new or amended property addresses to enable them to assign post codes
ensuring that the emergency and essential services are notified of all new properties and streets

The property owner is responsible for:

clearly displaying their property number
using the correct official address including the property number (if allocated)

Charges

Item	Charge
Property name additions and changes	£56 per property
Addressing or numbering of new properties (on an existing road)	£61 for first plot plus £5 per additional plot
Naming of a new street (additional charge to the above numbering, where a new street name is required)	£168
Sub-division of properties (based upon number of properties created including original)	£56 admin fee plus £5 per flat
Renaming of a street where requested by residents	£506
Temporary housing signs (yellow and black signs)	£173 per development
Confirmation of address to solicitors, conveyancers, occupiers or owners	£28
Development re-number due to change in plot numbers, or plot positions	£112 admin fee plus £10 per property
Address issued / confirmed when replacement property built (as the original address will have been removed following the demolition as address may be different to original property) reactivation of address.	£56 per property
Challenges / requests / revisions to existing street naming and numbering schemes	£31 per hour

These charges are not subject to VAT.

Street name plates

Apply for a new street name plate or report damage to one

Addresses for new developments

If you are building new housing, or turning an existing property into multiple flats, you should contact us to arrange for the allocation of addresses. The naming of streets can be a lengthy process.

For a new property we will assign a new number. However, where this is not possible, for example on a road where all the properties already have names and not numbers, we will issue a new property with a name.

On large developments naming and numbering will only be added to phases of a detailed or reserved matters planning approval that has started commenced. Further phases will be charged separately.

Icon for pdf apply for a street name or number or address for a new property (PDF, 111.4kb)

Adding a name to your property

To apply for a name for your property, it must already have a number. You must always use the number - the name does not replace it. When choosing a property name, the name should not be the same as, or similar to, another house name in the area. A fee of £56 will be charged for adding a name.

Icon for pdf apply to add a name to a property (PDF, 91.1kb)

Changing your property name

If your property has a name and not a house number and you wish to change the name, you have to obtain approval from us. This is to ensure there is no duplication of house names in the same area, which could lead to problems for the emergency services and Royal Mail. A fee of £56 will be charged for changing a name.

Icon for pdf apply to change the name of a property (PDF, 90.3kb)