In a diverse community like Oakville—where families come from all over the world—seemingly small details like a house number can carry cultural meaning.
For example, many of our clients from Chinese, Korean, and other Asian backgrounds prefer to avoid the number 4, while others actively seek “lucky” numbers like 6, 8, or 9.
As one of Oakville’s top real estate teams, we get this question all the time:
“If my address has a number that we don’t like culturally, can we change it?”
The answer: It’s possible, but only under specific circumstances.
Here’s what every Oakville homeowner should know—based on our experience helping hundreds of families buy and sell in this market.
Who Decides House Numbers in Oakville?
Street numbers are assigned by the Town of Oakville’s Planning & Development Department (specifically the Geomatics / Addressing team).
Their priority is:
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Public safety
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Emergency service accuracy
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Logical street numbering
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Avoiding confusion for deliveries and utilities
Because of this, street number changes are very rare, and approvals are strict.
When Can You Change Your House Number?
The Town of Oakville may consider a number change — but only for functional reasons, not cultural ones.
✓ 1. Emergency Services Confusion
If your number is frequently mistaken for a neighbour’s, causing delays for paramedics or firefighters, the Town may review it.
✓ 2. Incorrect or Duplicate Numbering
If your address breaks the street’s numbering pattern or duplicates another property, the Town may correct it.
✓ 3. Subdivision or Street Reconfiguration
Occasionally, a neighbourhood-wide renumbering happens when new developments are added.
These are the situations we’ve ever seen approved. The town may not change your numbers just because of cultural beliefs or Numerology preferences. That means, Even if the number “4” is a concern, the Town will not renumber for that reason alone.
How to Submit a Request (If You Still Want to Try)
If you believe you have a legitimate case, here’s the official process:
Step 1: Email the Town of Oakville Geomatics Team
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[email protected]
(or [email protected], which will redirect)
Step 2: Include:
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Your full name
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Property address
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Clear explanation of the issue
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Any evidence (e.g., delivery problems, incorrect numbering, emergency confusion)
Step 3: Wait for the Town’s Review
They will respond with:
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Whether renumbering is possible
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What alternative number(s) exist (if any)
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Any administrative fees (typically $150–$300)
Important:
If the Town approves, you must update your address everywhere—insurance, CRA, banking, driver’s licence, utilities, etc.
Our Professional Advice as The Fisher Group
Because we work with many multicultural families, we understand how deeply house numbers can matter.
Here’s what we’ve seen in practice across hundreds of transactions:
1. Very few number-change requests get approved.
Unless there’s a safety or numbering error, the Town rarely agrees.
2. Cultural workarounds are extremely common.
Many Oakville families choose remedies like:
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Adding an internal “lucky number” inside the home
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Using Feng Shui cures
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Minimizing the number in marketing materials (which we can absolutely do)
3. Buyers care — and sellers should be strategic.
If you’re selling a home with a culturally sensitive number, we help you:
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Adjust pricing strategy if needed
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Market to the right buyer demographic
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Highlight strengths that outweigh the number
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Use staging and storytelling to improve perception
A house number doesn’t define a home, but the way it’s positioned in the market does.
Thinking About Buying or Selling in Oakville? We Can Help.
As the #2 real estate team in Oakville and one of Canada’s top 1% teams at Royal LePage, we’ve guided countless families—local and international—through the process of buying and selling with cultural confidence and clarity.
Whether you want to:
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Avoid certain numbers
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Choose a home with a “lucky” address
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Understand how your number might affect resale
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Strategically market a home with a sensitive number
The Fisher Group is here to help you make the best decision for your family.
