Addressing within the unincorporated areas of Gaston County is administered through the Planning GIS Services and enforced by the "Road Naming and House Numbering Ordinance", adopted by the Board of Commissioners in June 1990. Planning GIS is responsible for determining and maintaining street names and property addresses within the county's jurisdiction. The department also works with the 15 municipal jurisdictions in the determination of new streets and address assignments.
The address assigned to the prospective properties and structures is to be used as a mailing address per the United States Post Office and more importantly is linked to the Emergency 911 System. Property addresses have become necessary in order for emergency personnel (police, fire, and rescue) to effectively locate you, your family, and / or your property in the event of an emergency. This is also the basis for naming unnamed existing private roadways, in which three or more families live within separate structures.