Q: What Cities does the Bulloch County 911 Addressing Office cover? A: Currently we cover all cities within Bulloch County.
Q: Items needed to obtain a 911 Address? A: You will need a Certified Plat of the property, sketch plan of driveway and structure and/or a copy of the Parcel information from the Bulloch County Tax Assessors. You may visit the Tax Assessors website at http://www.bullochtaxassessors.orgfor property information and you may obtain a plat from the County Clerk of Courts Office. There is also a fee associated with obtaining a new 911 Address. (Addressing Fee)
Q: Will my address ever change? A: Possibly. About 10% of the current addresses will change. Your address will change if it does not comply with the County addressing scheme or if you are currently using the same number as another structure or if your number was improperly assigned previously.
Q: What is the County addressing scheme? A: For a description of the County addressing scheme refer to the NENA Standards and Bulloch County Ordinance (Addressing Ordinance)
Q: Why does my address have to change? A: Bulloch County establishes a unique address for each structure based on the County’s addressing scheme. This is done to improve the emergency response time and save lives. Existing addresses that do not comply with the County’s addressing scheme will need to be changed as quickly as possible to prevent any confusion with 911 Emergency responders.
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 911 address will only be used to locate the structure in case of an emergency. However you will need to notify the Post Office of your new 911 address.
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.
Q: When will my address change? A: Your Address will need to be physically changed on the structure within 30 days from the date on the letter you have received per the Bulloch County Ordinance, see link below. All of your mail should be changed within the 30 days to insure you continue to receive your mail properly. The Post Office will allow a period of time for change over where they will continue to deliver to both your old and your new address which should allow adequate time to change over. (Addressing Ordinance)
Q: What will my address be? A: Your new 9-1-1 address will consist of a house number and street name. You will be notified via mail, of your new address.
Q: Who should I notify about my address change? A: You will need to notify the Phone Company, Power Company, Schools that you and/or your children may attend, Place of Employment, Insurance Company, DMV, Cell Phone Company, Cable Company, Newspapers, Bank, Magazines, Voter Registration, County Tax Assessors and the County Tax Commissioners Office (Vehicle Tag Office).
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 here (Addressing Ordinance).
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 via mail when to begin using your new address. If you have any difficulty changing your address, the entity you are contacting may use the letter sent to you as proof of address change. If further assistance is required please contact our office at (912) 764-0189.
Q: Do I need to have a new deed recorded for my home with the new address? A: No. The deed to your home is based on the actual property boundaries, not your 911 address. You will need to contact the County Tax Assessors Office and the County Tax Commissioners Office to give them your correct 911 mailing address. Both numbers are listed below.
Q: When can I start using my new address? A: You may start using your new address when you receive the Change of Address notification letter from the county.
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 GIS/ Addressing Department immediately at (912)764-0189, if the addresses are different.
Q: How will I know I have a new address? A: The County will notify you via mail and/or phone of your new address. If you have any questions about your Address feel free to contact our office for verification.
Q: Why does a road have to have a name? A: A road name identifies your general location in the county. Your house number identifies your specific location on that road. Many times a caller is unable to give clear directions to their home or is unable to remember their road number during an emergency if they are panicked. The county’s 911 dispatch system automatically locates 911 calls based on the 911 address attached to the phone number.
Q: I told the County the name I wanted for my road. Why did they reject the name I came up with? 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. If requesting a new road name, please provide the Addressing Office with at least 8 possible names that you would like considered. (Addressing Ordinance)
Q:Can I change my road name? A: Yes residents do have the option of renaming their road but there is a Road name change process that you must go through in order to change a road name. There are strict rules and regulations that are in place to deter this process. Click the link below to view directions and requirements for renaming a road. (Addressing Ordinance)
Q: What is E9-1-1? A: 9-1-1 is a lifesaving emergency notification network in which the caller is identified by ANI (automatic number identifier) and ALI (automatic location identifier). This information is automatically displayed on the dispatcher’s computer screen at the time the emergency call is answered at the dispatch center. The caller is required to only dial 3 numbers, 9-1-1, to be connected to the PSAP (public safety answering point). 9-1-1 is a nationally known emergency notification number.
Q: What does the E in E9-1-1 stand for? A: The E stands for enhanced, which means the dispatcher gets address information as well as phone number information when you dial 9-1-1. Necessary information can be available to a dispatcher without verification from the caller, in the case of somehow losing the phone connection or if the caller is too upset or non-responsive, in order to give clear information to the 911 dispatcher.
Q: How do I get an E-9-1-1 street address? A: The first step to getting an E-9-1-1 street address is to obtain a Building Permit from the Bulloch 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 contacted the Permit Office, you then come to the Bulloch County GIS/911 Addressing Office for your new address. We are located at 115 North Main Street, Room # 109.
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 in them. When you dial 911 from your cell phone, dispatchers are able to trace the call and locate your phone. You should make sure that your Cell Phone provider has your new 911 Address on file. Not all cell phone calls to 911 will triangulate properly so there is a chance that the operator will need more details if you should have to call 911 for help. Providing the operator with your physical address, a nearby address, landmark, etc will aid in getting help to you as quickly as possible.
Q: What qualifies naming a road? A: Any road with three or more residential or business structures is assigned an E-9-1-1 street name, regardless of whether it is a private or public street or road. NENA Standards must be followed when naming a road. Currently the Bulloch County Ordinance specifies the same requirements. See the Bulloch County Ordinance for specifics on Road naming. All names must be approved by the Bulloch County GIS Department and a letter issued stating that it met all requirements, then the name may be used for address and/or plat purposes, etc. (Addressing Ordinance)
Q: What if my road name suggestions are denied? A: Before submitting any road names to the GIS Department for approval it is best to come up with at least 6 possible names. Use the Bulloch County Tax Assessors website for reference to narrow down names or contact our office and we will be happy to go over any name ideas that you may have. If any names that you are contemplating come up or are similar to any other name in Bulloch County as a whole, then try another name. No names may be a duplicate of or be similar to (either phonetically or by spelling) any existing street name within the county. Historical names shall be the prime consideration in the assignment of road names. Additionally, no two part names shall be considered for a road name, per NENA Standards, unless there is a significant history behind the name. (Addressing Ordinance)
