Road Commission Mailbox Policy

PROPER INSTALLATION OF MAILBOX/NEWSPAPER BOXES ALONG COUNTY ROADS 

POLICY: Proper Installation of Mailbox/Newspaper Boxes Along County Roads

Policy No # 97

 ORIGINAL DATE:  February 20, 2008

Re:      Proper Installation of Mailbox/Newspaper Boxes Along County Roads

GENERAL

Proper Installation of Mailbox/Newspaper Boxes Along County Roads:  The Calhoun County Road Commission (CCRC) requires mailbox/newspaper boxes to be placed within CCRC road right-of-way to conform to this policy.  If mailbox/newspaper boxes do not conform to this policy, they will be considered to be unsafe to the motoring public.  This policy is consistent with the rules and regulations of the U.S. Postal Service and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO). 

COMPLIANCE

Materials & Construction: 

Mailbox/Newspaper box must be constructed of sheet metal, plastic or similar weight materials and shall not exceed 11 pounds in weight.

Mounting posts shall be either a single 4”x 4” square wood post, a 4” diameter wooden post, or a metal post with a strength no greater than a 2” diameter standard steel pipe.

For multiple mailbox installations/newspaper boxes, mounting posts shall be the same as above and the crossbar shall consist of a 4”x 4” wooden post.

Posts shall be embedded no more than 24” into the ground.  A metal post may not be fitted with an anchor plate, but it may have an anti-twist device.

Mailbox/Newspaper Box height should be 42”- 48” from the bottom of the box to the road surface.

REGULATIONS

Rules & Regulations:

Location of your Mailbox/Newspaper Box:  The roadside face of the box should offset the following distances.

Paved Roads with Paved Shoulders: 6 inches from edge of paved shoulder

Paved Roads with Gravel Shoulders: 6 inches from edge of gravel shoulder

Paved Roads with no Shoulders: 6 inches from edge of paved road

Gravel Roads with no Shoulders: 6 inches from edge of gravel road

Curbed Streets/Roads:  Flush with the back of the curb.

On subdivision streets with barrier curb:  The face of the mailbox/newspaper box shall be placed a minimum of 18 inches behind the face of the curb.

Intersection:  When a mailbox/newspaper box is located at an intersection, the box must be a minimum of 100’ beyond the center of the intersection in the direction of the postal route. 

Removal of Unsafe Mailbox/Newspaper Boxes:

 Mailbox/Newspaper Boxes that do not conform to the previously noted requirements will be considered unsafe.  CCRC will immediately notify the homeowner/business by mail, who will be granted not less than twenty four (24) hours nor more than thirty (30) days to remove the unsafe mailbox/newspaper box.  Furthermore, after inspecting the hazard, a time frame for removal will be determined on a case-by-case basis dependent upon the hazard to the motoring public.

Existing Unsafe Mailbox/Newspaper Boxes:

When receiving service requests for existing unsafe mailbox/newspaper boxes, the homeowners/businesses will be notified by mail, and given a time frame for removal based on the hazard that the mailbox may cause to the motoring public.  This shall not be less than twenty four hours nor more than thirty (30) days.   Any mailbox/newspaper box  installed before this policy will not be grandfathered.

Mailboxes Damaged by CCRC Operations:

A service request that has been received for the damage/removal of an existing mailbox by CCRC equipment (e.g. snowplows, mowers etc.) will be replaced with a 4’’x 4’’ post and a standard mailbox as long as the mailbox conforms to this policy.  If the mailbox does not conform to this policy it will not be replaced by CCRC.

APPROVED/Date Sent to Board:  March 5, 2008

SUBMITTED BY:     Permit Agent                  REVISED BY: EC

For more information please call (800) 781-5512 or email info@calhouncrc.net.