Installation Directions For Roadside Mailboxes

A lot of people don’t ponder over it, but there are federal regulations that oversee how a locking roadside mailbox must be displayed in your yard. The rules are not complex and are made with the sole purpose of making it easier and more efficient for mail carriers to deliver the mail to your house or office.


One of the primary considerations to remember is if you choose a custom-designed mailbox it must be approved by the local postmaster. You are not permitted to simply design the mailbox any way you want and if you make an effort to do so it is quite possible you will have a problem receiving your mail.


Any mailbox with a lock must have the approval of the Postmaster General and must include a slot large enough to handle the quantity of mail you ordinarily receive. It is against USPS regulation to display any type of advertising on either the mailbox or the mailbox post.


You are permitted to add a receptacle for newspapers to the mailbox so long as it meets the following requirements:


* Does not need to touch the mailbox for support
* It can't obstruct the regular procedure for mail delivery
* Does not prevent the flag on the mailbox from the view of the mail carrier
* It can't exceed the front of the mailbox once the door of the mailbox is closed
* It does not present a safety hazard to either the mail carrier or his or her vehicle


In addition, the name or address on your mailbox has to be at least one inch high. This is to help the mail delivery person be able to quickly identify your residence.


The mailbox must stand between 41 and 45 inches above the road’s surface except in cases where the road or curb does not allow this distance. Even though it may seem like common knowledge, you must put your roadside mailbox on the right side of the street so the carrier's driving route will not be altered.


Your mailbox should be positioned between six to eight inches from the curb. In order to make sure you are following the most current regulations, speak to your local post office prior to deciding to move your mailbox.


It is also essential for you to keep your mailbox in good shape, making sure the post is sturdy and not busted. There must always be an obvious pathway for mail carriers to put mail into the box or they're not going to deliver your mail. It's the obligation of the owner to upgrade any mailbox that becomes damaged.


About the Author:
Oliver Jenkins authors articles about Mail Boss locking mailboxes and preventing mail theft. Locking mailboxes are practically bulletproof. They'll help stop those identity thieves cold.