Address Location Project
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my address change?
What is the County addressing scheme?
Why will my address change?
When will my address change?
What will my address be?
How will I know I have a new address?
When can I start using my new address?
Who should I notify about my address change?
Who is making the decisions regarding road name changes and address changes?
Why does a road have to have a name?
What qualifies naming a road?
My address has changed or my private drive was named and I disagree with the changes. What can I do?
My private drive is now named. Will the County now maintain the road?
I told the County the name I wanted for my road. Why did they give it a different name?
My private drive was named but the road sign was torn down or never installed?
My address has a different name than is on the road sign?
What if I receive my mail through a Post Office Box?
I’ve lived here for 30 years and everybody knows me and where I live. Why do I need to change my address?
Do I need to display my address?
Is the County going to pay for me to change my address on all of my personal items?
The address that the County has given me and the address that the Post Office gave me is different. Which should I use?
How do I get an E-911 street address?
What if I do not have a traditional land line phone and I only use a cell phone?
Will I have to put my new address on my mailbox?
I live in an apartment complex, will I have a street address and apartment number?
Will I use my E-911 Address to Receive Mail?
Q:Will my address change?
A: Possibly. Somewhere between 15%-25% of the current addresses will change. Your address may change if it does not comply with the County addressing scheme. [Top]Q: What is the County addressing scheme?
A: For a description of the County addressing scheme refer to the link below.
Whitfield County Addressing Ordinance [Top]Q: Why will my address change?
A: There was a problem with your existing address and it was changed so that Emergency Responders could better locate you in the event of an Emergency. Your address may have changes for any one of the following reasons:
- Your address was out of sequence with respect to your neighbors. Addresses need to progress in sequence along the road and they should also be closely numbered to the addresses across the street.
- Your address was on the wrong side of the street. Even numbered addresses should all be on one side of the street and odd numbered addresses on the other side.
- Your address number was duplicated with another structure.
- Your house is on a private drive with 2 or more other structures accessed off that same private drive.
- Your road name was duplicated or was confusing to emergency responders.
- Your address had to change as the result of other address changes. [Top]
Q: When will my address change?
A: Addressing changes are scheduled to be complete by in early 2009. The County and Cities will notify residents when to begin using their new addresses after that time. [Top]Q: What will my address be?
A: You will be notified by mail of your new address and also receive a packet containing information and a list of suggested people you should notify about your address change. [Top]Q: How will I know I have a new address?
A: The County will notify you of your new address. [Top]Q: When can I start using my new address?
A: You may start using your new address when you receive the notification letter from the county. [Top]Q: Who should I notify about my address change?
A: You will need to notify the Power Company and Utility Providers, Place of Employment, Insurance Company, DMV, Cell Phone Company, Cable Company, Newspapers, Bank, Magazines, Voter Registration, and Schools attended by your child/children. [Top]Q: Who is making the decisions regarding road name changes and address changes?
A: Whitfield County has a team overseeing the project. The team consists of emergency responders, and specialists in the areas of mapping, building and zoning, planning and communication. Extreme care has been taken to correct problems while readdressing as few individuals as possible. [Top]Q: Why does a road have to have a name?
A: A road name helps locate the driveway on a map and helps emergency responders find which driveway is yours in the event of an emergency. Your house number on that named road identifies your specific location on that road. [Top]Q: What qualifies naming a road?
A: Any private drive with three or more residential or business structures is assigned an E-911 street name, regardless of whether it is a private or public street or road.
Whitfield County Addressing Ordinance[Top]Q: My address has changed or my private drive was named and I disagree with the changes. What can I do?
A: The County has a committee that will examine your situation and evaluate if the change was necessary or if mistakes were made. In order for the committee to review your concern, you must fill out the form below and mail it to the County at the following address:Address Administrator
301 West Crawford ST
Dalton , GA 30720You may also acquire a form from the receptionist at the Whitfield County Administration Building #1 located at 301 West Crawford ST in Downtown Dalton or at the Building and Zoning Department located at 1407 Burleyson DR which is located behind the hospital. [Top]
Q: My private drive is now named. Will the County now maintain the road?
A: No. The County named your road to make it easier to find in the event of an emergency. The County has not taken any ownership or any responsibility to maintain the road. The County will install and maintain the road sign. [Top]Q: I told the County the name I wanted for my road. Why did they give it a different name?
A: The County tries to incorporate citizens’ suggestions with regards to road names, yet this is sometimes not possible due to road naming standards such as not using punctuation or personal names. Also, the county is trying to eliminate road names that are too much alike. Therefore, if your requested road name is similar to another one that has already been established, a different road name must be used. [Top]Q: My private drive was named but the road sign was torn down or never installed?
A: Please contact Whitfield County Public works to inform them of your road sign issue. [Top]Q: My address has a different name than is on the road sign?
A: Please contact the Address Administrator to inform them of your road sign issue. [Top]Q: What if I receive my mail through a Post Office Box?
A: If you currently receive your mail through a P.O. Box, you can continue to do so. The structure’s E-911 address will be used to locate the structure in case of an emergency. [Top]Q: I’ve lived here for 30 years and everybody knows me and where I live. Why do I need to change my address?
A: Logical consistent addressing saves lives. If someone new is hired as an emergency personnel worker they may not know you. Emergency responders from adjacent localities and the state do not have the local knowledge. [Top]Q: Do I need to display my address?
A: Yes, part of the County ordinance states that every structure must have their address properly displayed. The County ordinance is available for review =.
Whitfield County Addressing Ordinance [Top]Q: Is the County going to pay for me to change my address on all of my personal items?
A: Unfortunately, the County cannot pay for that. The County will notify you when to begin using your new address and it is recommended that you wait until that time before you change anything. [Top]
Q: The address that the County has given me and the address that the Post Office gave me is different. Which should I use?
A: Notify the Addressing Administrator Immediately. [Top]Q: How do I get an E-911 street address?
A: The first step to getting an E-911 street address is to obtain a Building Permit from the Whitfield County Building and Zoning Department. This permit is required to place a manufactured housing unit (mobile home) or construct a site-built structure. After you have your first inspection (or footer/ electrical inspection if it is a manufactured home) you should then contact the Address Administrator and request an E-9-1-1 street address. [Top]Q: What if I do not have a traditional land line phone and I only use a cell phone?
A: New law requires all new cell phones to have GPS receivers or other technology that will assist with locating cell phone calls and to display those locations in the Emergency Dispatch Center. You may still get a new physical address for your house and you will need to have that address posted. [Top]Q: Will I have to put my new address on my mailbox?
A: Yes, the postal service needs to be able to find your mailbox. [Top]Q: I live in an apartment complex, will I have a street address and apartment number?
A: Yes, apartment complexes will be addressed with a house number, street name, and unit number. [Top]Q: Will I use my E-911 Address to Receive Mail?
A: If you do not choose to receive mail at a post office then you will use your E-911 address as your mailing address. [Top]
