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Settlement Name
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El Mirage
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Province, Territory, or State
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Arizona
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Country
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USA
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Has Policy?
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Yes
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Policy
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SECTION 1. PURPOSE
This policy establishes a uniform process for the naming, renaming, and ceremonial co-naming of public
streets within the City of El Mirage. The policy is intended to:
• Protect public safety and emergency response operations
• Maintain accuracy and consistency in addressing systems
• Provide clear procedures for resident-initiated and Council-initiated actions
• Ensure transparency and appropriate community input
SECTION 2. APPLICABILITY
This policy applies to:
• Naming of new public streets
• Renaming of existing public streets
• Ceremonial co-naming of streets
This policy does not apply to:
• Private streets not maintained by the City
• Temporary or event-related signage
SECTION 3. DEFINITIONS
Street Naming: Assignment of an official name to a new public street.
Street Renaming: A change to the official legal name of an existing public street that affects addressing
and public records.
Co-Naming (Ceremonial): An honorary designation that does not alter the legal street name or addresses.
Affected Property Owner: A property owner whose legal address is located on the street proposed for
renaming.
Petition-Based Request: A renaming request initiated by affected property owners.
Council-Initiated Renaming: A renaming initiated by formal action of the City Council.
SECTION 4. NAMING AND RENAMING STANDARDS
All proposed street names shall:
1. Avoid Duplication or Similarity – Proposed street names shall not duplicate or closely resemble
existing street names within the City or surrounding jurisdictions.
2. Be Clear and Functional – Proposed street names shall be short, easily pronounced, and easily
understood for navigation and emergency response.
3. Support Emergency Services – Proposed street names shall not create confusion for police, fire,
emergency medical services, or dispatch systems.
4. Comply with Regional Standards – Proposed street names shall be consistent with applicable
regional addressing and naming conventions.5. Meet Naming Restrictions:
o Proposed street names, generally, shall not honor living persons
o Proposed street names shall not include offensive, derogatory, or discriminatory language
SECTION 5. PETITION-BASED STREET RENAMING
5.1 Eligibility
Requests may be initiated by affected property owners.
5.2 Petition Requirements
• Minimum 75% of affected property owners must support the request
• If 12 or fewer properties are affected, 100% support is required
• Petition must include a notarized Affidavit of Circulation
5.3 Submittal Requirements
Applicants shall provide:
• Proposed new street name(s)
• Written justification
• Completed petition documentation
• Designated contact representative
5.4 Cost Responsibility
• All costs shall be borne by the applicants (affected property owners)
• Includes:
o Street signage replacement
o Administrative processing
o Notification and mailing
o Mapping and system updates
• The City shall not be responsible for:
o Costs incurred by residents or businesses to update personal or legal records
5.5 Review Process
The City shall conduct:
• Technical review for compliance with naming standards
• Coordination with emergency services, utilities, and relevant agencies
• Public notification to affected parties
• Recommendation by the Planning and Zoning Commission to the City Council
5.6 Council Action
Final approval or denial shall be by City Council following the review process.
SECTION 6. COUNCIL-INITIATED STREET RENAMING
6.1 Initiation
The City Council may initiate a street renaming by Resolution.
6.2 Applicability
Council-initiated renaming may be considered when:
• A street name is determined to be offensive or inconsistent with community standards, or
• A significant public interest or municipal purpose is identified6.3 Required Process
• Staff report and analysis
• Technical review (Police, Fire, Public Works, Planning & Zoning, Utilities)
• Public notification and opportunity for input
• Public hearing
• Final Council action
6.4 Cost Responsibility
The City Council shall determine cost responsibility, which may include:
• Full City funding
• Partial cost-sharing
• Waiver of fees
• Assistance measures for affected residents and businesses
6.5 Mitigation Measures
The City may implement measures to reduce impacts, including:
• Transition timelines
• Coordinated notifications to agencies
• Public guidance on updating records
• Temporary dual signage
6.6 Limitation
Council-initiated renaming shall be used sparingly and only when the public interest clearly outweighs
impacts to affected parties.
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Policy Score
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89
