Rural House Numbers

We would like to share our process for establishing rural house numbers for new lot splits and major subdivisions. Our county is experiencing a very high rate of growth. The number of land subdivision applications are staggering at times. Our response time varies according to our work load.

The Fairfield County Engineer's Office is responsible for assigning all rural house numbers in Fairfield County. This includes those for all townships, unincorporated villages, and some of the incorporated villages, namely; Lithopolis (only on Elder Road NW, Smith Road NW, and Winchester-Southern Road NW), Millersport, Rushville, Stoutsville, Thurston, and West Rushville.

Rural house numbers are derived from a base line that runs North and South, East and West in our county. The base lines intersect on Fair Avenue, just East of Broad Street, in the city of Lancaster and numbers increase outward in 4 directions. For every mile there are 1000 numbers. All even numbers are on the North and East sides of the roads. Odd numbers are on the South and West. The House Numbering Grid on our county map depicts this system.

Before completing an APPLICATION for a new number, the property must have an approved deed, and the house location is to be staked out. It is best that tall stakes are used so that they can be seen from the road. Along with a copy of the deed, the following information is to be submitted by the applicant: tax mailing address, phone number, and a brief description of the property location. The number is then derived from actual field measurements. An electronic distance measuring device, mounted in a vehicle, locates the number relative to other known points. We make every effort to respond to the customer within 10 working days.

Other important points:

If the deed is not in the name of the applicant or the lot is not staked, we will not issue the number.

For major subdivisions, rural numbers are not made until the approved plat has been recorded in the Recorder's Office.

The number is issued to the house and not the driveway. In some cases if the house is obscured the number is issued to the driveway. We will generally not issue numbers to a vacant lot.

When the field work is completed, we will mail a completed form to the land owner or person who requested the new number, unless they request to be notified for pick up.

If you have questions, please contact our Traffic & Permit Inspector at (740) 687-7050.