Laws About Mailboxes

Be sure you know all the rules and regulations about mailboxes before installing one.

A mailbox is a container or receptacle used by people to receive their mail at their home or via curbside delivery. There are specific rules and laws that govern the appearance, location and use of mailboxes.

Locked

Locked mailboxes, U.S. Post office boxes and cluster mailboxes are only allowed to be accessed by the postal carrier and the customer, both of whom have keys. Locked mailboxes are the same design and shape as unlocked mailboxes and must meet the same requirements. The protective flap has to operate inward and in a horizontal way without requiring additional work on the carrier's behalf. Locked mailboxes must have a slot that is big enough to accommodate normal mail volume without the need for folding.

Curbside

Curbside mailboxes must be on the right hand side of the road and in the direction of the carrier's travel in cases when driving on the left hand side of the road in order to reach the box would create traffic hazards or violate regulations and traffic laws. The post office has regulations about what can be placed in a curbside mailbox or in a mailbox that is located outside of your home. However, the same regulations don't govern what can be put through a mail slot.

What You Can and Can't Do

You are allowed to attach a receptacle to your mail box for newspapers as long as the receptacle doesn't touch or use any part of the mailbox for support; present a hazard to the postal carrier or to his vehicle; obstruct the view of the mailbox flag or interfere with postal delivery. The receptacle cannot extend beyond the front of the mailbox when the mailbox door is closed and you cannot put advertising on the receptacle other than the publication's title.

Location

The mailbox should sit back six to eight inches from the road edge or curb. The mailbox should be 41-45 inches from the ground. You are not allowed to put advertising on a mailbox.

New Mailboxes

When installing a new mailbox, it must have an incoming mail slot that is at least 10 inches wide in order to accommodate priority envelopes without folding.

Requirements

You are required to put your box or house number on your curbside mailbox and the letters and number must be at least one inch in height or larger and should be on the flag side or front side of the mailbox

Safety

You must keep the approach to your mailbox free of obstructions so that it is safe for the carrier.

References

• GAO: Information About Restrictions on Mail Access
• Stop Mail Theft: Mailbox Regulations
• USPS: Mailbox Standards
• U.S. Postal Services: Recipient Services