From the US Postal Service website ~ http://www.usps.com/receive/mailboxstandards.htm
Policies for Curbside Mailboxes
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You need to contact your local Post Office before moving your mailbox or mailbox support, because your mailbox needs to be approved by the Postal Service. Your postmaster will approve custom-made mailboxes on a one-time basis as long as they generally meet USPS standards.
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The name on your mailbox should be at least 1 inch high.
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You should install the mailbox with the bottom of the box at a vertical height of between 41-45 inches from the road surface, unless you have a road or curb condition that prevents this. If you do, be sure to contact the postmaster before you change your mailbox location.
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Boxes must also be on the right-hand side of the road and in the carriers direction of travel in all cases in which driving on the left-hand side to reach the boxes would pose a traffic hazard or violate traffic laws and regulations.
*
Your mailbox should be set back 6 to 8 inches from the front face of the curb or road edge to the mailbox door.
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A mailbox with a lock must be a model thats USPS approved by the Postmaster General, with a slot large enough to accommodate your daily volume of mail.
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Advertising on a mailbox or its supporting post is prohibited.
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Our regulations cover what can and cant be placed in a curbside mailbox or mailbox outside of your house, which generally includes only mail that has been sent through the USPS. However, our regulations dont govern what can be placed in a mail slot on your door.
*
You can attach a receptacle for newspaper delivery by a private company to the post of a curbside mailbox used by the Postal Service as long as it doesnt:
o touch or use any part of the mailbox for support.
o
interfere with mail delivery, obstruct the view of the mailbox flag, or present a hazard to a mailperson or vehicle.
o
extend beyond the front of the mailbox when the box door is closed.
o
display any advertising, except the publications title.
* For posts and supports, its up to you to keep them neat and adequate in strength and size. Ideally, its assembly should bend or fall away when struck by a vehicle. The Postal Service doesnt regulate mailbox supports except for purposes of carrier safety and delivery efficiency. Its also your responsibility to ensure a path is clear to your mailbox so that carriers can safely and efficiently deliver the mail.
Installation of curbside mailboxes must meet our specific construction standards, which you can find at your local Post Office. For a copy of our standards (United States Postal Service STD-7B, Mailboxes, City and Rural Curbside), write to:
Delivery & Customer SVCS Equipment, Engineering, U.S. Postal Service
8403 LEE HWY
MERRIFIELD VA 22082-8108
*
You need to contact your local Post Office before moving your mailbox or mailbox support, because your mailbox needs to be approved by the Postal Service. Your postmaster will approve custom-made mailboxes on a one-time basis as long as they generally meet USPS standards.
*
The name on your mailbox should be at least 1 inch high.
*
You should install the mailbox with the bottom of the box at a vertical height of between 41-45 inches from the road surface, unless you have a road or curb condition that prevents this. If you do, be sure to contact the postmaster before you change your mailbox location.
*
Boxes must also be on the right-hand side of the road and in the carriers direction of travel in all cases in which driving on the left-hand side to reach the boxes would pose a traffic hazard or violate traffic laws and regulations.
*
Your mailbox should be set back 6 to 8 inches from the front face of the curb or road edge to the mailbox door.
*
A mailbox with a lock must be a model thats USPS approved by the Postmaster General, with a slot large enough to accommodate your daily volume of mail.
*
Advertising on a mailbox or its supporting post is prohibited.
*
Our regulations cover what can and cant be placed in a curbside mailbox or mailbox outside of your house, which generally includes only mail that has been sent through the USPS. However, our regulations dont govern what can be placed in a mail slot on your door.
*
You can attach a receptacle for newspaper delivery by a private company to the post of a curbside mailbox used by the Postal Service as long as it doesnt:
o touch or use any part of the mailbox for support.
o
interfere with mail delivery, obstruct the view of the mailbox flag, or present a hazard to a mailperson or vehicle.
o
extend beyond the front of the mailbox when the box door is closed.
o
display any advertising, except the publications title.
* For posts and supports, its up to you to keep them neat and adequate in strength and size. Ideally, its assembly should bend or fall away when struck by a vehicle. The Postal Service doesnt regulate mailbox supports except for purposes of carrier safety and delivery efficiency. Its also your responsibility to ensure a path is clear to your mailbox so that carriers can safely and efficiently deliver the mail.
Installation of curbside mailboxes must meet our specific construction standards, which you can find at your local Post Office. For a copy of our standards (United States Postal Service STD-7B, Mailboxes, City and Rural Curbside), write to:
Delivery & Customer SVCS Equipment, Engineering, U.S. Postal Service
8403 LEE HWY
MERRIFIELD VA 22082-8108
