Is 12 inches deep enough for a mailbox post?

Author: Ida Heaney  |  Last update: Tuesday, June 17, 2025

Dig deep enough that the height of your mailbox above the ground is around 42 inches. Do not dig deeper than 24 inches.

How deep should a mailbox post go?

Installing the Mailbox Post

A 4″ x 4″ wooden support or a 2″-diameter standard steel or aluminum pipe. Avoid unyielding and potentially dangerous supports, like heavy metal pipes, concrete posts, and farm equipment (e.g., milk cans filled with concrete). Bury your post no more than 24″ deep.

How long should a 4x4 post be for a mailbox?

Cut a 4-by-4 post to 4 feet long, with 2 feet for the mailbox and 2 feet for below the ground. Attach the mailbox post to the pressure-treated post using lag screws. Secure the mailbox to the post with the screws provided with the mailbox.

Should a mailbox post be set in concrete?

No concrete needed. Bury an empty 6 or 8 inch tube two feet deep, and flush with the ground. Compact the soil around it. Then center and level your mailbox within the tube, and fill around the post with sand. Tamp the sand down too a bit, then cover lightly with sod.

How much clearance does a mailbox need?

There must be 41 to 45 inches of height from the street up to the bottom of your mailbox door. Your mailbox door must be 6 to 8 inches from the curb when closed. Your mailbox must face outward and be placed on the right-hand side of the road.

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How many inches off the ground should a mailbox be?

USPS Mailbox Height Guidelines for Installing Residential Mailboxes. Curbside and roadside mailboxes must be easily accessible to the mail carrier. By USPS regulatory standards, your mailbox should be 41” to 45” from the ground or street surface and up to the inside floor of the mailbox.

What is the code for a mailbox?

Mailboxes must be placed 6 to 8 inches away from the curb; the incoming mail slot or door must be 41 to 45 inches from the ground. Curbside mailbox posts should be buried less than 24 inches deep and made from wood no larger than 4 inches high by 4 inches wide.

Is it illegal to concrete your mailbox post?

Depending on your local municipality, using concrete mailbox posts may be may prohibited. The reason for this is that concrete posts pose a safety hazard to motorists and their passengers. If a car strikes a concrete post, the driver or passengers could be seriously injured.

How deep should a 10 foot post be in the ground?

The depth of the hole should be 1/3-1/2 the post height above ground (i.e., a 6-foot tall fence would require a hole depth of at least 2 feet). Add about 6 inches of QUIKRETE All-Purpose Gravel into the bottom of the hole. Then compact and level the gravel using a post or 2x4.

Do you need gravel under concrete for mailbox post?

If your post is 4 inches wide, the hole should be 12 inches in diameter. It is also recommended you add about 6 inches of compact gravel to the bottom of the hole.

Is 16 inches deep enough for a mailbox post?

Dig deep enough that the height of your mailbox above the ground is around 42 inches. Do not dig deeper than 24 inches. Put a shovel full of gravel in the bottom of the hole.

Can I move my neighbor's mailbox off my property?

Because it's your land and it is affixed to your land, it legally belongs to you. Thus, if he refuses to move the mailbox, you can remove it from your property yourself. You don't need to call a lawyer or the post office unless the post office put it there rather than your neighbor or the builder.

Can I use Quikrete for a mailbox post?

QUIKRETE® Fast-Setting Concrete firmly sets wood or metal posts in the ground quickly and easily. It is ideal for fence and mailbox posts, flag posts, playground equip- ment, and lamp and sign posts. QUIKRETE® Fast- Setting Concrete sets in approximately 20 to 40 minutes.

How deep should I put my post?

Also, before you start to dig, be sure to call your local utilities to come mark any underground wires or pipes. The general rule of thumb when setting a post is that the depth of the post's hole needs to be one-third to one-half of the actual above-ground height of the post.

What is the best wood for mailbox posts?

Cedar Mailbox Post is strong and durable for long-lasting use.

How deep should a mailbox post be?

Step 4: How deep should the hole be for the mailbox post? Dig an 8” to 10” diameter hole for the mailbox post installation. Dig at least two feet deep with a clamshell digger. Or you can rent a gas-powered post-hole digger (auger) from a local equipment rental yard or hardware store.

How deep should a 12 foot post be in the ground on Reddit?

36” deep minimum. Do not put them in concrete.

Can you put dry concrete in a post hole?

Fast-setting concrete is ideal for setting posts because there's no mixing—you simply pour the dry concrete from the bag right into the hole, then add water.

How do I anchor a mailbox post without concrete?

You basically just “screw” the anchor into the ground using a 20″ crossbar for leverage, which is included with the kit. After the anchor is screwed into the ground, you set your wood post on the bracket and attach it using 5 lag bolts.

Is it illegal to put something in your own mailbox?

CLYDE, TX – The U.S. Postal Service would like to warn people that only authorized U.S. Postal Service delivery personnel are allowed to place items in a mailbox. By law, a mailbox is intended only for receipt of postage-paid U.S. Mail.

How high should a mailbox be off the ground?

Height: Mailboxes are typically installed with the bottom of the mailbox located 41 to 45 inches above the roadway surface. Refer to your local post office regulations for specific mailbox height requirements.

What is the postal mailbox rule?

Under the mailbox rule, an offer is considered accepted the moment the offeree mails their letter, rather than when the offeror receives the letter in the mail. The mailbox rule also applies to other means of communication, such as a fax, telegram, or email, provided that it is irrevocable once sent.

What does a rock in your mailbox mean?

1. A Local Custom or Practical Joke. In some areas or communities, placing a small rock in someone's mailbox is simply a local tradition – a way of saying hello or playing a harmless prank. It could be a quirky method to foster communication or a sign of friendship from a neighbor.

How much concrete for mailbox post?

Use a fast-setting mix for convenience when fencing with concrete posts. How Many Bags of Concrete Do I Need to Set a Mailbox Post? You'll need two 50-pound bags of fast-setting concrete to set a mailbox post in a hole that's 1/3 to 1/2 the height of the post.

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