{"id":383059,"date":"2026-07-02T03:13:13","date_gmt":"2026-07-02T03:13:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/383059\/"},"modified":"2026-07-02T03:13:13","modified_gmt":"2026-07-02T03:13:13","slug":"after-100-plus-years-without-house-numbers-this-california-town-is-finally-getting-street-addresses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/383059\/","title":{"rendered":"After 100-plus years without house numbers, this California town is finally getting street addresses"},"content":{"rendered":"

The famously quirky California town<\/a> that long refused to put numbers on homes is finally giving in \u2014 and even some of its fiercest traditionalists are admitting it\u2019s about time.<\/p>\n

After generations of resisting street addresses, residents of Carmel-by-the-Sea<\/a> are embracing what was once considered unthinkable as the picturesque Central Coast enclave<\/a> prepares to roll out its first standardized address system in the coming weeks.<\/p>\n

The change \u2014 expected within the first half of July \u2014 will end a century-old tradition dating back to the city\u2019s incorporation in 1916, replacing home descriptions based on nearby intersections with conventional street numbers.<\/p>\n

The overhaul is designed to help emergency crews find homes faster and make navigating the storybook town easier for residents and visitors alike.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The famously quirky California town that long refused to put numbers on homes is finally giving in \u2014 and even some of its fiercest traditionalists are admitting it\u2019s about time. Shutterstock \/ Joseph Sohm<\/p>\n

\"After<\/p>\n

After generations of resisting street addresses, residents of Carmel-by-the-Sea are embracing what was once considered unthinkable as the picturesque Central Coast enclave prepares to roll out its first standardized address system in the coming weeks. Gado via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Residents who prefer the longtime system will still receive their mail through post office boxes because USPS will not begin home delivery<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The decision follows years of research, public feedback and spirited debate over whether Carmel should abandon one of its most recognizable traditions.<\/p>\n

For decades, the city\u2019s municipal code required homes and parcels to be identified by their location relative to the nearest cross-street intersection instead of a conventional street number.<\/p>\n

For example, an address for the Sea View Inn<\/a> is listed as \u201cBetween 11th & 12th on Camino Real.\u201d<\/p>\n

In the end, convenience and safety won out in the rapidly aging community, where the median age is 68.5, nearly double that of California as a whole.<\/p>\n

\"Residents<\/p>\n

Residents who prefer the longtime system will still receive their mail through post office boxes because USPS will not begin home delivery. Universal Images Group via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Perhaps the biggest surprise was who backed the change.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to thank you \u2019cause I\u2019ve been complaining for 25 years,\u201d longtime Carmel resident Donna Jett told the City Council<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think it took courage because all the other people that were here didn\u2019t see the light and didn\u2019t see the safety and didn\u2019t understand,\u201d she continued.<\/p>\n

The unanimous vote removed the city\u2019s longstanding requirement that buildings be identified by nearby intersections and cleared the way for a traditional address system.<\/p>\n

The change allows the post office, Monterey County and agencies including emergency services, the assessor\u2019s office and election officials to begin implementation over the coming months.<\/p>\n

The final approval marked the end of a years-long process.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The change allows the post office, Monterey County and agencies including emergency services, the assessor\u2019s office and election officials to begin implementation over the coming months. Joe Sohm\/Visions of America\/Universal Images Group via Getty Images<\/p>\n

The City Council was initially split on the issue in 2024 before unanimously approving the switch last fall and then voting to amend the municipal code.<\/p>\n

For some residents, the transition has been emotional.<\/p>\n

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\u201cThis is the way I\u2019ve always known it since I\u2019ve lived here, so to have something new is good, I guess, at the end of the day,\u201d resident Ray Depole told KSBW<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Local artist Alyson De Guigne admitted she was one of those reluctant to see Carmel change.<\/p>\n

\"Google<\/p>\n

Google Maps<\/p>\n

\u201cAt first, when I heard about the addresses, I didn\u2019t like it. I don\u2019t like change, and I thought, \u2018This is why I don\u2019t live in New York City or L.A. anymore.\u2019 It\u2019s for community that stands in time and doesn\u2019t change,\u201d De Guigne told KSBW.<\/p>\n

Since the city approved the new address system, De Guigne has been getting calls from homeowners asking her to create personalized house number signs.<\/p>\n

Known for using acrylic paint and light-resistant colors, she now sees the requests as a chance to help preserve the town\u2019s character while adapting to the new system.<\/p>\n

The change also sparked discussion online.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is such a boomer story. Aging population that needs more assistance which requires people to be able to find you\u2026 Nursing services, delivery, ambulances. At least they\u2019ve come around,\u201d one Reddit user wrote<\/a>.<\/p>\n