The USPS does not legislate the relocation of residential mailboxes nationally. Rather, they allow local postmasters to decide what is best for their geographic location and mail service.
Mailbox Height and Placement Rules
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.
Here are some helpful guidelines to follow when placing your mailbox: Position your mailbox 41″ to 45″ from the road surface to the bottom of the mailbox or point of mail entry. Place your mailbox 6″ to 8″ back from the curb. If you do not have a raised curb, contact your local postmaster for guidance.
Contact the local Post Office before erecting, moving or replacing mailboxes and supports. If you are reporting damage to a private mailbox, past or present, it is suggested to call your local police. Prepared by the postmaster and delivered when there is a problem with your mailbox or receptacle.
The placement of the mailbox is within the discretion of the post office. Nobody has authority to put anything on your property even if it is in the roadway easement. The postal authorities have that power but within a certain context.
The USPS does not legislate the relocation of residential mailboxes nationally. Rather, they allow local postmasters to decide what is best for their geographic location and mail service. Make a quick trip or call to your local post office first.
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.
Like cluster mailboxes, community mailboxes are typically maintained and repaired by the property owner or HOA.
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.
In the United States, mailboxes are considered federal property to protect against mail theft, mail tampering and vandalism. By making mailboxes federal property, the U.S. government can take action against individuals who tamper with or steal mail, as well as individuals who vandalize mailboxes.
General USPS Requirements for Curbside Residential Mailboxes
Curbside mailboxes must be placed on the right-hand side of the road and facing outward so that mail carriers can access it easily without leaving their vehicle.
While the USPS sets specific standards and regulations for mailboxes, the homeowner or property owner owns the physical mailbox. This ownership provides the freedom to select the design and location of your mailbox, provided it follows USPS regulations.
Contact your local postmaster.
There are no national laws mandating relocation of mailboxes by USPS. Instead, local postmasters decide what is best for their geographic location and mail service. Make a quick call or visit your local post office.
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. Your mailbox door should be set 6” to 8” back from the front face of the curb or the edge of the road.
#1) Installing on Left Side of Road
The U.S. Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) explains that mailboxes should, when feasible, be installed on the right side of the road so that couriers can easily pull over to drop off and collect mail.
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.
Mailboxes are considered federal property, protected by rules set by the United States Postal Service. Because of this, only authorized persons (mail carriers and the owner of the property of the mailbox) are legally allowed to place things into and retrieve items from the mailbox.
Key Found in Mailbox
These units often have parcel lockers. The parcel locker is used for items that are too large for your individual box within the Cluster Box. The key in your mailbox is a parcel locker key. This key has a tag that indicates the parcel locker that contains your item.
Once you install your mailbox, and it is ready for the receipt of mail, you effectively lease your mailbox to the federal government for the service of mail delivery. Let's not forget that, as long as you have an up-to-code mailbox, receiving mail is a free service.
GREENSBORO, N.C. — A lot of things have changed over the years but since 1915, the red flag on a mailbox has meant the same thing, there's mail in the mailbox to be picked up. It's called a carrier flag, as in, it's a sign your mail carrier needs to stop and pick something up.
Cluster mailboxes are not always owned by the USPS. In general, the cluster mailbox belongs to whoever initially installed the unit. Some units are purchased and installed privately, while others are installed by the USPS.
The Mailbox Rule is a common law concept that is the default rule governing mailing and communicating contracts. Once an offer has left the offeror's hands, the offer cannot be changed materially, even if circumstances change. The contract is considered accepted as soon as the acceptance is dropped in the mail.
Position your mailbox 41″ to 45″ from the road surface to the bottom of the mailbox or point of mail entry. Place your mailbox 6″ to 8″ back from the curb. If you do not have a raised curb, contact your local postmaster for guidance. Put your house or apartment number on the mailbox.
"No part of a mail receptacle may be used to deliver any matter not bearing postage, including items or matter placed upon, supported by, attached to, hung from, or inserted into a mail receptacle.