As a general rule, rural properties require a green sign and post and urban properties do not, although hamlet areas can be difficult to be sure as some have signs and some do not. Looking around at neighbouring properties would provide a good indication, but it may require contacting county staff to be positive.
Civic Addressing and Street Naming
If you own a property with a dwelling(s) or a phone line, you must have a Civic Address. If you own a building where people spend time (e.g., working in a barn), you should have a Civic Address. A civic address is optional for vacant land.
On this page
Applying for a new civic address
Apply for a new civic address online
If a green sign is required, call Norfolk County Customer Service at 519-426-5870 or 226-NORFOLK, extension 0, after applying to make payment before the address is issued.
Building Inspectors can provide a Civic Address Request Form for new addresses related to a building permit.
Know your civic address in an emergency
In an emergency, we can’t help you if we can’t find you. You must relay your civic address to the 911 operator, including a civic number, a full street name, and the municipality.
Example:
- Civic number: 1410
- Full street name: Church Street West
- Municipality: Norfolk County
Civic Address = 911 Number = Fire Number
If everyone refers to your road by one name, but the sign at the end of the road has a different name, use the official name posted on the signs located at intersections. This is the name recognized by 911 dispatchers.
Ensure your civic number is clearly visible
- Ensure your civic number sign is visible from the road in both directions.
- The property owner is responsible for posting the civic number in urban and hamlet areas.
- In rural areas, a standard green reflective sign is required. It is the owner’s responsibility to maintain this sign.
- Remove obstructions such as bushes, trees, and weeds.
Civic addressing information
A civic address combines a building number (which sometimes includes a unit number, suite number, etc.), a street name (which can include a prefix direction, name, suffix, and type), and the lowest legally recognized jurisdiction.
Examples:
- 45 Maple Street, Norfolk County
- 17 West Church Street, Norfolk County
- 120 Highway 6, Norfolk County
You can apply for a civic address by obtaining a Civic Address Request Form. The form should be filled out and submitted to ServiceNorfolk, with payment (for addresses outside urban areas).
View the current 911 Civic Addressing – Assignment of Number and Sign Charges User Fee.
The fee covers the cost of the sign creation, sign installation, and notification to over 25 civic addressing contacts, including Bell 911, Emergency Services, OPP, Canada Post, Hydro One, Union Gas, etc.
Payment methods:
- Cheques payable to Norfolk County
- Credit card over the phone
Once the application and payment are received, your new address will be emailed to you within a week. Signage may take up to two additional weeks to install. For questions, contact Norfolk GIS Services at NorfolkGIS@norfolkcounty.ca.
Use the Community Web Mapping application to search for your address (use the full street name with no abbreviations). If your address does not appear, zoom to your property on the map to see the correct number and street name. The green numbers on the map are the address numbers. For further clarification, contact Norfolk GIS at NorfolkGIS@norfolkcounty.ca.
Postal codes
Norfolk County does not assign or manage postal codes. Contact your local post office for the proper postal code for a given property.
Duplicate street names
There are street names within Norfolk County that are the same. For example, three Elizabeth Streets have different address ranges, making each address unique and acceptable to Bell 911.
Examples:
- Elizabeth Street (Renton – address range 2000 – 2011)
- Elizabeth Street (Delhi – address range 15 – 61)
- Elizabeth Street (Walsh – address range 200-228)
Your address in Google
If your address is not shown correctly on Google Maps, use the “Send feedback” link at the bottom right corner of Google Maps to send the correct information. It may take multiple attempts to fix the problem.
Frequently asked questions
Review the Civic Addressing By-Law for detailed information.
Do I need a green Civic Address sign?
My green Civic Address sign is damaged or missing what do I do?
If your civic address sign has been damaged or is missing you should contact County Customer Service at 519-426-5870 or 226-NORFOLK, extension 0 to arrange for a replacement.
What is the process to change a street name?
Once a completed Request For Street Name Change Application has been submitted to the Civic Addressing Coordinator, along with a petition showing support from at least 80% of the property owners fronting along the subject street, Planning Staff will initiate a report to council on behalf of the person requesting the change.
Planning Staff are required to make comments within the report which may or may not support the proposed street name change. It is recommended that the person requesting the change of street name be present at the Council meeting when the report is brought forward.
All costs associated with the renaming will be the responsibility of the applicant.
For more information on changing a street name, please contact norfolkgis@norfolkcounty.ca, or call 519-426-5870 or 226-NORFOLK, extension 1827.
During the planning process, sometime after the draft plan approval and before the servicing agreement is signed, you will be required to select street names from a pre-approved list of street names.
This road name registry is a compiled list of potential street names which have local historical significance. The list includes names of veterans, prominent local individuals from the past, local rare and endangered species and other features of local historical significance.
Final street names including any prefixes and suffixes will be approved by the Civic Addressing Coordinator and must follow standards as set out by the Civic Addressing By-Law 2018-37.
Contact Us
ServiceNorfolk
50 Colborne Street South
Simcoe, Ontario
N3Y 4H3
Phone: 519-426-5870 or 226-NORFOLK, extension 0