ELI5- Why do streets have different labels like Ave, Blvd, Rd, etc.? Are there certain qualifications for what determines them?
In: 909
You have to get approval for new road names, which helps ensure no duplicate names in an area. Many jurisdictions have classifications that determine the label. For example, here’s what San Luis Obispo County, California uses:
– Blvd: arterial (a major thoroughfare) in urban areas
– Road: arterial outside urban areas
– Street: collector (midsize road) or local (minor roads) in urban area, running east/west
– Avenue: collector or local in urban area, running north/south
– Place: collector or local outside urban areas, running east/west
– Way: collector or local outside urban areas, running north/south
– Lane: cul-de-sac longer than 200 feet
– Court: cul-de-sac under 200 feet
– Circle: circle or U-shaped
*Edit: For those asking about Drive, Pass, or any road classification, San Luis Obispo County does not permit them. You can see their rules for yourself in their [County Code](https://library.municode.com/ca/san_luis_obispo_county/codes/county_code?nodeId=TIT20STADRONA). That doesn’t mean they don’t have Drives; but they were likely named prior to the current rules.*
*For those saying the rules are different where they live, yes, they probably are. Every jurisdiction makes their own rules. The rules I posted will be similar to many places, but some may have widely different rules (or even no rules at all).*
Latest Answers