Rural Addressing in the M.D. of Wainwright
Rural addressing is a standardized system of identifying and locating rural properties. The M.D. of Wainwright will be assigning addresses adhering to the standards set by Alberta Municipal Affairs, which are widely used by rural municipalities throughout Alberta.
The M.D. of Wainwright Council approved moving forward with rural addressing as part of its 2016 Budget. The system will aid Emergency Medical Services, Fire, Police, utility companies, couriers and other visitors in finding your residence or business quicker. The M.D. awarded the contract to Kalitec in June and they are currently producing the signs. Their contractor will start marking locations for installation on Monday Aug 15, 2016 and all signs should be completed by October 31, 2016. If you have any questions please see the FAQ at the bottom of this page. If your question is not answered there please contact the Administration office at 780-842-4454 and we will do our best to answer your questions.
Reading rural addresses
Sign Placement
There are standards for the way rural addressing signs are to be placed in the M.D. This is being done to ensure emergency services can easily find the main entrance to your property from the roadway when they are called.
The signs can only be installed by M.D. of Wainwright Public Works Staff, or contractors conducting this work on behalf of the M.D. Each rural property will receive signage that will be placed according to Bylaw No. 1587, Schedule A – Sign Placement.
How does it work?
Rural addresses are based on the location of the primary access to a residence or business along a road allowance.
Each mile of road is divided into intervals of 40 metres, with numbers increasing from South to north and East to West. Even number addresses are placed along the North and West sides of a road allowance and odd number addresses are placed along the South and East side of a road allowance.
Reference the road to the east if the Primary Access is off a Township Road or to the south if the Primary Access is off a Range Road. For the purposes of addressing, virtual township roads exist between all sections, whether an actual road allowance exists or not.
Example #1: 410002 RGE RD 10 – The address is on Range Road 10. 410 is the Township Road reference to the south, and 002 is the address interval.
Example #2: 102032 TWP RD 472 – The address is on Township Road 472. 10 is the Range Road reference to the east, and 032 is the address interval.
Example #3: 102047 TWP RD 472 – If a property has more than one possible entrance from the same Township Road, the rural address is assigned using the main entrance used for normal access. In this example, the main entrance is in interval 047.
Example #4: 410072 RGE RD 10 – Where a parcel has access from both a Township Road and a Range Road and no clear primary access exists, the access from the Range Road is typically used.
Example #5: 102010A & 102010B TWP RD 472 – Where multiple residences use the same primary access, the first building off the access is designated A, the second is designated B, and so forth. The base grid address is 102010 TWP RD 472.
Example #6: 410046 RGE RD 10 Lots 5, 12, 16 & 21 – Subdivision addresses are based on the location of the primary access on the road allowance. Each parcel receives a unique lot number used with the six-digit rural address. Lots are numbered clockwise in increments of four, with odd numbers on the east and south sides and even numbers on the west and north sides.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a Rural Address? Where a rural address has not previously been assigned or where an approach application is approved for a new approach or multi-lot subdivision, the address will be determined and assigned when a development permit is issued or when a subdivision is approved.
What are the benefits of using Rural Addresses over a Legal Land Location? A legal land location will identify where a property is located on a specific quarter section whereas a Rural Address will pinpoint the access to the property off of a road allowance.
Is the Rural Address the same as a Mailing Address? No, they are two different addresses. Your current Canada Post mailing address will not change, so please continue using your existing mailing address to send and receive parcels and letters.
Who assigns Rural Addresses and who will have access to my address? Rural Addressing information is assigned and maintained by the M.D. of Wainwright. Rural Addresses are shared with TELUS Communications to link to TELUS 911, 911 Dispatch and Emergency Responders.
What do I do with my new Rural Address once I get it? You don’t need to do anything with your new rural address, other than memorize it! Your new Rural Address is primarily for emergency response. If you ever need to call 911, you can give the 911 dispatcher this address. We recommend posting your Rural Address near every phone in your house. Also be sure to educate your children as to what your Rural Address is, what it is for, and how it should be used in the event of an emergency.
Is it mandatory? Yes, all developed rural properties with an inhabited residence or business will require a Rural Address and proper signage.
I live in a village or hamlet. Do I get an address also? Yes. Each house in Fabyan, Jarrow and Ribstone has a house number just like the Town of Wainwright, Irma and Chauvin. Each street will have a road name like 1st Avenue, 2nd Street.