Is it Illegal to Park in Front of a Mailbox?
The U.S. Postal Service enforces laws and regulations that direct the manner in which a homeowner must deal with her mailbox. These statutes and regulations include restrictions on how a mailbox is used and how access to a box is maintained.
Other People Are Reading
-
Function
-
A designated mailbox serves the exclusive purpose of allowing for the delivery of letters and parcels by representatives of the U.S. Postal Service.
Considerations
-
The law prohibits homeowners from obstructing a mailbox in any manner that prevents the ready and easy delivery of mail. A homeowner legally cannot block his mailbox with a car, making mail delivery difficult.
-
Time Frame
-
A homeowner legally can park a car in front of her mailbox during a time period when mail delivery is unlikely. For example, a homeowner can park a car legally in front of a mailbox overnight or on Sunday.
Other Autos
-
Although it is impossible for a homeowner to always prevent other individuals from blocking access to his mailbox, he has a duty to take reasonable steps to prevent regular interference to box access because of a parked car.
Warning
-
The law allows the Postal Service to discontinue service to an address if the mailbox is routinely blocked by a car or some other type of obstruction.
-
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Rebecca Stanek
