As the world goes further digital certain offline things lose popularity. Mailboxes are an old staple that will be around as long as people have addresses.
Unlike email, mail is protected from tampering by federal law. The United States Postal Service (USPS) issues and enforces regulations for mailboxes.
Keep reading to discover some things about residential mailbox laws you may not know.
Display and Size Requirements
All mailboxes must follow the display and size requirements of the USPS.
Place curbside boxes facing outward 6-8 inches from the curb. Boxes should be on the right-hand side of the street and easily accessed from by a mail vehicle. Wood posts should be no larger than a 4×4 and buried no deeper than 24in. Metal pipes 2 inches in diameter are also acceptable.
If you prefer to have a mail slot, know that they do not fall under USPS regulations. The proper height for a mail slot is 41-45 inches from the ground, however.
Address numbers on your mailbox help to identify which home is yours. Make sure numbers are at least 1 inch in height. Place them on the flag side or front side of your mailbox.
A locking mailbox can help to prevent porch piracy. The slot of a locking mailbox should be wide enough to receive USPS priority mail packages. 1.75 inches in width is standard.
Your mail carrier will not open the locked box and is your responsibility to maintain access.
Multi-dwelling units are required to have locked boxes.
Non-USPS Mail
Tampering with a mailbox is a federal offense. A mailbox is for mail use only. Anyone that is not a letter carrier caught placing mail in a mailbox can suffer serious fines or jail time.
For a safe place to receive your newspaper, mount a box next to your mailbox. The newspaper receptacle cannot be mount on the mailbox or supported by it.
The mailbox cannot support or receive packages from private carriers. The receipt of these parcels cannot interfere with USPS delivery in any way.
What If I Have An Issue?
Contact your local post offices for issues with your mail. They can handle issues related to receiving mail, mailbox keys, and change of address.
If you have a more troubling concern, contact the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is created to prevent mail fraud and maintain security. They are the federal branch of the government designated to enforce postal regulations. They open investigations in cases of mail fraud, homeland security, or child exploitation.
Older people are particularly vulnerable to sweepstakes and telecommuting scams.
Job offerings and pre-approved loan scams are other common forms of mail fraud.
Residential Mailbox Laws
Residential mailbox regulations act as a measure of Homeland Security.
If you are building a home or selling one, knowing mailbox regulations can save you a headache. All manufactured mailboxes must meet residential mailbox laws. The correct height and width make receiving mail a smooth process. Contact your local post office if you have any concerns about your mail.
For compliant boxes, check out our selection of commercial and residential mailboxes.
