While you may have the urge to find the most outrageous mailbox created by man, before installing it on your curb you need to be sure it meets all federal mailbox regulations. The US Postal mailbox regulations are posted at the USPS website and can also be found at any local post office.
The meaning behind the implementation of federal mailbox regulations deals with the fact carriers must be able to safely and conveniently deliver the mail without getting out of their vehicles.
Thus, mailboxes must be on the right-hand side of the road in the direction of travel of the carrier in cases where the carrier would be in danger if they drove to the left to get to the box. This is also true in cases where the carrier would violate a traffic law to get to the box.
The federal mailbox regulations state the box should be installed at a vertical height of 3.5 to 4 feet from the road’s top. They should be placed 6 to 8 inches from the face of the curb.
In addition, US Postal mailbox regulations dictate what type of box a homeowner can install. There are three standard mailbox sizes and two main mailbox styles the US Postal mailbox regulations will accept.
The styles are called traditional (T) and contemporary (C). The T1 and C1 mailboxes are 18.5 inches long, 5 inches wide and 6 inches tall. The T2 and C2 mailboxes are 19.5 inches long, 6 inches wide and 7 inches tall. The T3 and C3 mailboxes are 22.5 inches long, 8 inches wide and 11.5 inches tall.
Find out about Federal US Postal Mailbox Regulations:
Residential Mailbox Standards – Domestic Mail Manual – 508 Recipient Services
