Ensure your address is visible
In an emergency, every second counts. A clear addressing system helps emergency services—fire, police, and ambulance—locate your home or business quickly. It also improves rural routing for residents, mail delivery, and supports phone and utility services.
It is your responsibility to ensure your address is clearly visible. By following the General Guidelines on Civic and Rural Addressing, you can verify that your address is accurate, properly represented, and visible, in accordance with the MD of Taber's Addressing Bylaw No. 1982.
Municipal address vs. mailing address
A municipal address is the physical location of a property (such as your home, farm, or business). This is the address used for emergency response, property identification, and municipal services.
A mailing address is where your mail is delivered. This may be a post office box, rural route, or an address different from your physical property location.
Is your mailing address up to date?
Contact Administration at 403-223-3541 to update or verify your mailing address and ensure your information remains current.
Need a new blue address sign?
Once a rural address has been assigned to your property, you can request a new or replacement blue address sign by completing the Rural Address Request Form. If your property does not yet have a rural address, contact Planning & Development at 403-223-3541 to discuss the development permit process.
Need a new approach?
Visit Public Works Applications to apply for the construction of a new approach or to request amendments to an existing approach.
Expand the blue (+) tabs below for frequently asked questions.
What is a civic address?
A Civic Address is assigned to properties located within a hamlet or subdivision. These addresses are associated with named roads other than Township Roads, Range Roads, Highways, or Hays Roads. Civic addresses consist of a unique address number and street name assigned by the MD of Taber in accordance with the MD of Taber Addressing Guideline.
Property owners are responsible for ensuring that civic address numbers are clearly displayed on the building or structure facing the roadway from which the property is addressed. Address numbers should be visible from the road to assist visitors, service providers, and emergency responders in locating the property.
What is a rural address?
A Rural Address is assigned to properties located outside of hamlets and subdivisions. These addresses are based on municipal road naming conventions, including Township Roads, Range Roads, Highways, and Hays Roads. Rural addresses consist of a unique 5- or 6-digit address number and the associated road name, in accordance with the Alberta Municipal Affairs Addressing Project Guidelines.
In situations where multiple residences or businesses share a common access, a unit identifier may be assigned to create unique addresses (for example, 100004C RGE RD 144). Rural address signs are installed along public roadways at the primary access to an addressed property and may consist of a single address blade or an address blade combined with a unit sign.
What is a road name sign?
Road name signs help residents, visitors, emergency responders, and service providers navigate municipal and provincial roadways. The MD of Taber is responsible for the installation, maintenance, and replacement of road name signs located at public roadway intersections throughout the municipality. Road names correspond with the municipal addressing system and are assigned in accordance with the MD's addressing guidelines.
For road name sign inquiries, including reporting damaged or missing signs, please contact Administration at 403-223-3541 or submit a Service Request.
What is the difference between Range Roads vs. Township Roads?
Range Roads run north-south and are typically numbered according to their distance west of a meridian.
Township Roads run east-west and are typically numbered according to their distance north of the Canada-United States border.
Together, these roads form Alberta's rural grid road system, helping to identify and locate properties throughout the province.
How do I get either a civic or rural address?
Address assignments, including both civic and rural addresses, are administered by the MD of Taber. Addresses are assigned to properties with permanent buildings or structures used for residential, agricultural, commercial, or other approved purposes. Rural addresses are typically assigned once a property's primary access has been permanently established, while civic addresses are generally assigned during lot development, subdivision, or consolidation. For address inquiries, contact Planning & Development at 403-223-3541 or submit a Service Request.
If I have a legal land description, why do I need a rural address?
A legal land description provides a general location for a property within a quarter section, while a rural address pinpoints the exact access to a property from a public roadway. This precise location information helps Emergency Services find properties more quickly, reducing response times and improving emergency response capabilities when every second counts.
Which properties can be assigned a rural address?
In accordance with the MD of Taber's Addressing Bylaw No. 1982, the Municipality may assign an address to any parcel of land containing a permanent structure.
How do I get a rural address sign (blue)?
Municipal addressing is assigned during the development permit process and is updated regularly. Rural addressing may be assigned to a property with permanent buildings or structures that facilitate places of residence and/or work. Rural address assignments are completed once a primary access is permanently established along a public roadway.
Once a rural address has been assigned to your property, you can request a new or replacement blue address sign by completing the Rural Address Request Form. If your property does not yet have a rural address, contact Planning & Development at 403-223-3541 to discuss the development permit process.
For all other addressing inquiries, please contact the Administration office at 403-223-3541 or submit a Service Request.
My rural addressing sign (blue) is damaged or missing. What do I do?
Over time, damaged, missing, or non-compliant address signage (civic or rural) may need to be replaced to ensure it meets the Municipal District of Taber's Addressing Guidelines. To request a new or replacement rural address sign, please complete the Rural Address Request Form.
i
Property owners will be invoiced for the cost of the sign only. The Municipal District of Taber is responsible for the installation of all rural address signage.
For all other addressing inquiries, please contact Administration at 403-223-3541 or submit a Service Request.
How does a rural address sign (blue) get installed?
The MD of Taber is responsible for the installation of all rural address signs, including replacements, in accordance with Municipal Addressing Bylaw No. 1982. Properties containing a permanent building may be assigned an address by the Municipality in accordance with applicable addressing guidelines. Rural addresses are typically assigned once a property's primary access has been permanently established.
The initial cost and installation of rural address signage are covered by the MD of Taber. Property owners may be required to replace civic or rural address signs that are damaged, missing, or do not comply with municipal addressing guidelines. Replacement rural address signs will be ordered and installed by the MD of Taber, with the property owner responsible only for the actual cost of the replacement sign. The owner will be invoiced accordingly.
Ensure your civic address is clearly visible.
It is the property owner's responsibility to ensure address signage remains clearly visible from the public roadway when approaching from either direction.
- Hamlets and subdivisions: All residences and businesses must display clearly visible address numbers of an appropriate size.
- Rural properties: A standard blue reflective rural address sign is required and must be maintained by the property owner.
- Sign maintenance: Address signs must be kept clean, legible, and free from obstructions. Property owners are responsible for trimming trees, shrubs, weeds, and other vegetation that may block visibility.
Are there standards for the sign and its placement?
Yes. Standards have been established in the MD of Taber's Addressing Bylaw No. 1982 and Addressing Guideline.
