But not all officials are convinced.
Councilman T. Bryan McIntire, one of the members who voted against the address legislation, predicted the new regulation will be largely overlooked by county residents.
Although the new regulation won't affect most residents in the rural, northern part of the county that he represents, McIntire said he did not want to legislate another obligation for residents and for county employees who will have to enforce it.
"They have so many things that are more serious," McIntire said.
Councilman Stephen G. Samuel Moxley, a Catonsville Democrat who supported the measure, said the numbers have been a subject on talk radio and in several news articles. But to be sure the word gets to residents, he said he planned to write about it in the district newsletter sent to community groups.
Timothy M. Kotroco, director of the Department of Permits and Development, said the county does not plan to send out inspectors looking for residents and businesses who fail to put up the address numbers.
Instead, he said, when the inspectors are called to a property for problems, they might note in their correction notices whether address numbers need to be posted.
"Going forward, I expect we'll be doing a lot of warnings, as opposed to violation notices at first," Kotroco said.
At Ayd Hardware, 4-inch metal address numbers cost $1.99. Plastic numbers are 99 cents. And 3-inch reflective number stickers are 40 cents.
Store manager Tom Akins joked that the store should charge more, now that they're law for many residents.
But Ayd, who received his first shipment of numbers yesterday, said he would offer discounts to bulk orders from neighborhoods.
A typical resident should be able to comply with the new law for less than $10, Olszewski said.
"It doesn't have to be expensive," he said. "I don't think it's a huge burden."
laura.barnhardt@baltsun.com
Alley numbers
Baltimore County's new law on displaying address numbers at the rear of some properties:
Applies to any house or business that backs up to a driveable alley or roadway.
Specifies that numerals must be at least 3 inches high and visible from the alley or roadway.
Requires numbers to be displayed by March 9.
Imposes a $100 fine on property owners who fail to put up the numbers after receiving a warning from the county.
Source: Baltimore County Council Bill 102-07
