How to Get a Street Renamed

In North County cities and in unincorporated areas of the county, only property owners who have purchased land on a street can apply to get the name changed.

While some cities, such as Solana Beach, charge as little as $25 to process a street name change, the price is steeper in unincorporated sections of the county ($95) and in Carlsbad ($110). Because Vista and Del Mar planning officials handle so few requests, there is no application fee.

Property owners seeking a street name change must have a majority of consent from neighboring land owners. Most North County cities require property owners to collect signatures of other property owners on a petition that states a proposed name for the roadway. After sufficient signatures are gathered, the list with the name suggestion is submitted to city or county planning officials for review. Police, fire and other city agencies also review the proposed name to ensure that it will not conflict with existing street names in the area.

In San Marcos, a Street Naming Committee appointed by the City Council reviews proposed street name changes before the council holds a public hearing to give residents a chance to comment on the proposed change.

Escondido planning officials go a step further. If city officials give preliminary approval to a street name change, they then hold neighborhood meetings with affected property owners to solicit comments. Then a City Council public hearing is held for additional public input, said Mary Vivanco, an Escondido planner.

In San Marcos, Escondido, Encinitas, Carlsbad, Oceanside, Solana Beach and Vista, city councils grant final approval for new street names. In Poway and the county, planning department officials have the ultimate say.

If a proposed name is accepted, affected property owners are notified by mail of the change and when it will occur.