Why we need street naming and numbering

Oxford City Council is responsible for creating official addresses in Oxford. Ensuring each address is unique and unambiguous is vital for:

• helping emergency services locate properties
• maintaining consistency of property information across local government databases and the community
• ensuring reliable post and delivery services, including Royal Mail
• accurate location identification

Street naming and numbering is a chargeable service. It is initiated only after receiving the relevant planning permission for a development and once the street naming and numbering fees are paid. Note that having a registered council tax account does not automatically grant an official address.

We can allocate:

• names to new or existing buildings, dwellings or flats
• numbering to new buildings, dwellings or flats
• re-numbering subdivided or converted buildings, dwellings or flats
• numbers to businesses

Business names are not added to properties under this service. For business name amendments, please contact Royal Mail (SNN Policy 4.3d).

New addresses or property names can only be requested after approved planning permission is granted by the Council. For assistance in locating your reference number, contact planning@oxford.gov.uk.

The allocation of an official address does not authorise development or imply building regulation approval. For building regulations inquiries, contact buildingcontrol@oxford.gov.uk.

Upon completion of your numbering/naming, please ensure clear and accurate signage at the address. Signage responsibility falls to the developer.