Mailbox Responsibility

Every community has mailboxes.  The question rarely asked is, “who is responsible to repair and/or replace mailboxes?” Most assume that since the USPS delivers the mail, they are also responsible for maintaining mailboxes. However, this is not the case.

The U.S. Postal Service™ Post Office Manual Section 632.11 Responsibilities is defined as such: Appropriate mail receptacles must be provided for the receipt of mail. The type of mail receptacle depends on the mode of delivery in place.

Purchase, installation, maintenance, repair and replacement of mail receptacles are the responsibility of the customer/property owner.  Appropriate locations for installation should be verified with local Postmasters.

Note: There is no local authority for the use of or approval of unauthorized centralized delivery equipment or centralized delivery systems.

The U.S. Postal Service™ Post Office Manual Section 631.82 Refusal by Customer states “If a customer refuses to accommodate the Postal Service’s delivery mode determination by refusing to provide an approved mail receptacle or permit the Postal Service to install its own, General Delivery service may be provided at the nearest postal facility where the carrier delivery emanates or where may be otherwise available to the customer.”

For developments that have a Home Owners Association (HOA) that includes coverage of the cluster mailboxes, the HOA will be the responsible party. For developments that pre-date the City’s incorporation in December 1984 and those that do not have a HOA that is responsible for the cluster mailboxes, the maintenance and repairs fall on the property owner whose mailbox is located on the respective cluster. The repairs must be coordinated and paid for by the responsible HOA or in collaboration with all the homeowners whose mailbox is located on the respective cluster. 

Per the USPS, contacting the US Postal Service at 800.275.8777 before modifying or installing any mailbox equipment is mandatory.