NSPIRE Standard: Address and Signage (V3.0)

Address and Signage Inspection Procedure

Simple guide to inspecting property addresses and building signage. This standard ensures properties can be easily found and identified by residents, visitors, and emergency services.

Download NSPIRE Standard PDF

Professional building exterior showing clear address signage

What This Standard Is About

Every property needs clear, visible address numbers and signs so people can find it. Think of it like a house having a name tag that everyone can read from the street. This helps delivery drivers, visitors, and most importantly, emergency responders like fire trucks and ambulances find the right building quickly.

Where to Inspect

Address and signage are only checked on the outside of the property. Look for signs near building entrances (either above or next to the door) and at road entrances where the property's private driveway meets a public road.

What You're Looking For

The inspector checks if address numbers, building signs, or building identification codes are:

Present - Are they there at all?
Visible - Can you see them from the street or parking area?
Legible - Can you actually read the numbers and letters?
Not Broken - Are they in good condition?

How the Inspection Works// The inspection process is straightforward - no special tools or resident assistance needed
Step 1: Find the Property
Start by approaching the property from the main street, road, or parking area
→ This helps you see the property the way others see it
Step 2: Look for Address Signs
Look around the building entrance and nearby areas. Check if there are address numbers or signs visible.
Possible locations:
•Mounted above the door
•Placed next to the entrance
•On a post near the building
•At the property's driveway entrance
Step 3: Check Building Identification
If it's a multi-building property (like an apartment complex), look for building identification codes or letters.
→ Example: "Building A" or "Building 1" signs
Step 4: Evaluate Visibility and Readability
Can you actually read the address from where you're standing? Is it clear and easy to see?
⚠️ Problem indicators: faded numbers, covered by plants, too small, or missing entirely
Step 5: Check for Damage
Look for broken signs, missing numbers, or damaged mounting.
→ Even if the address is there, if it's broken or falling off, it needs to be fixed

What Happens If There's a Problem?// If the address or signage has any issues (missing, illegible, not visible, or broken)
Deficiency 1
Address, signage, or building identification codes are broken, illegible, or not visible
Severity:Moderate(presents a moderate safety risk)
Correction Time:30 days
HCV Status:Fail(fails Housing Choice Voucher requirements)
Why it matters:
If emergency services can't find the property quickly, it could delay help during a fire, medical emergency, or other urgent situation. That's why this is considered a moderate safety issue.

Common Components// Address signage components that need to be in good working condition:
→Numbers
→Letters
→Frames
→Mounting hardware
→Protective covers
→Lighting components(for night visibility)

Real-World Example// Scenario: Trying to locate a specific address
Imagine you're trying to find "123 Main Street, Apartment 4B" but:
✗The building has no visible address
✗The numbers are so faded you can't read them
⚠️ Critical Impact:
You'd have to guess or ask neighbors, wasting precious time. During a fire - every second counts, and clear addresses save lives.

Sample Inspection Report

NSPIRE Physical Inspection Report

Sample official inspection report showing address and signage deficiencies found during a typical HUD inspection.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

Real Estate Assessment Center (REAC)

NSPIRE Physical Inspection Report

Report ID: NSP-2024-092156

Date: February 8, 2024

Property Information

Property Name: Riverside Terrace Apartments

Property ID: 456-789123

Address: 1842 Riverside Drive, Columbus, OH 43215

Program Type: Public Housing

Inspection Date: February 8, 2024

Inspector: Michael R. Chen, REAC #IN-9124

Inspection Summary

Buildings Inspected

Deficiencies

Moderate

88.5

Score

Address and Signage Deficiencies

Location	Deficiency	Description	Severity	Correction	HCV
Building A - Main Entrance	Def 1	Main building address number "1842" is faded and partially obscured by overgrown ivy. Numbers are barely legible from street view at 50 feet distance.	Moderate	30 days	Fail
Building B - Entrance	Def 1	Building identification sign "Building B" is missing. Only remnants of mounting hardware visible. No alternative identification present.	Moderate	30 days	Fail
Building C - Street Number	Def 1	Street address numbers are broken. Two digits missing from "1842" display. Only "18" visible, making property identification impossible from street.	Moderate	30 days	Fail
Property Driveway Entrance	Def 1	Property name sign "Riverside Terrace" at driveway entrance is not visible from public road. Signage blocked by large tree branches and vegetation.	Moderate	30 days	Fail
Building D - Unit Numbers	Def 1	Unit number signage on Building D entrance is illegible. Numbers are too small (less than 3 inches) and lack contrast with building facade.	Moderate	30 days	Fail

Inspector Notes

Inspection conducted from main street approach and parking area. All building entrances and driveway access points evaluated. Visibility assessed from typical viewing distances (50-100 feet). Address signage checked during daylight conditions. Building identification codes verified for multi-building complex. All deficiencies documented with photographs showing visibility issues and obstruction problems. Property management notified of findings.

This is a sample inspection report for demonstration purposes only.

Report generated in accordance with NSPIRE Standards V3.0 | HUD REAC Inspection Protocol