Use the following checklist step-by-step to determine whether the "City" field for a segment or place should contain a name or be marked as "None":
NOTE: Mailing addresses alone are not a determining factor for filling in the City field; city limits are. For example, everyone who lives in Leon County has a "Tallahassee, FL" mailing address, but not everyone in Leon County lives within the incorporated city limits of Tallahassee. Most unincorporated county areas should have the City field checked as "None", unless they meet one of the following exceptions.
STEP 1 - Incorporated Municipality. Is it on the list of legally incorporated municipalities (Alabama, | Florida, Georgia)? If NO, proceed to Step 2. If YES, check if your segment / place falls within the city limits by using the appropriate state's mapping resources ( Alabama, Florida, Georgia).
Is the segment within the Incorporated City's Limits? NO? go to STEP 2
YES? Use Incorporated City Name
STEP 2 - Census Designated Place (CDP). Is it on the list of census designated places ( Alabama, GeorgiaFlorida)? If NO, then proceed to Step 3. If YES, The geographic boundaries of many CDP's can be found on the US Census Bureau website; use these boundaries. See if the county property appraiser or geographic information service (PA / GIS) website listed on the applicable state's mapping resource page ( Alabama, Florida, Georgia) shows the boundaries. If you still can't find defined boundaries for the CDP, take a scroll through along a major roadway in street view to see where the department of transportation or the county may have placed signs indicating where the CDP begins and ends.
STEP 3 - County Property Appraiser. If you look up a parcel on the roadway in question using a PA's website from your state's mapping resources page ( Alabama, Florida, Georgia), does it list your target name as a valid address? If NO, proceed to Step 4. If YES, try to determine the boundaries for use of that City name by checking subsequent parcels in the area or checking county GIS sites for your state ( Alabama, Florida, Georgia).
STEP 4 - Indian Reservations / Government Installations. Is the segment / place located on an Indian Reservation or Government Installation? If NO, proceed to Step 5. If YES, listing the name of the reservation or installation in the City field may be appropriate. If you think YES, consult a State Manager or Regional Coordinator for more guidance.
STEP 5 - Other Place of Significance. There are many other Census Designated Places and points of interest throughout Florida, but many are small. Does your target location have a major cultural significance (e.g. tourist attraction, county seat, travel milestone (e.g. Yeehaw Junction))? If you think YES, consult a State Manager or Regional Coordinator for more guidance. If NO, then mark the City field as "None". Stop here, you're done. There are no more options.
The following flow-chart outlines the discussion from above:
Incorporated City Name
Segment is within an Incorporated City's Limits. Please use the city name in the city field.