5 Mistakes to Avoid When Installing Curbside Mailboxes in Your Residential Community

Installing curbside mailboxes for your residential community, HOA neighborhood, or planned development might seem like a straightforward task. However, when it comes to mail delivery, small installation errors can lead to major issues—ranging from non-compliance with USPS regulations to property damage, resident complaints, or even liability risks.

After purchasing curbside mailboxes for your residential community, you'll need to install them. While this sounds easy enough, though, there are certain steps you must take to ensure the mailboxes are safely and securely installed. Unfortunately, some developers and property managers are guilty of making one or more of the following mistakes when installing their curbside mailboxes.

Whether you're a homeowners’ association, property manager, or residential developer, it’s essential to follow proper guidelines when setting up mailboxes with posts or choosing the right mailbox post system. Below are five of the most common mistakes to avoid when installing HOA mailboxes, especially curbside post-mounted models.

#1) Installing on Left Side of Road

One of the most common installation errors occurs when curbside mailboxes are placed on the left side of the street. According to the U.S. Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), mailboxes should be installed on the right-hand side of the road whenever possible. This ensures that USPS mail carriers can safely pull up, deliver mail, and continue their routes without crossing traffic lanes or creating road hazards.

Don't make the mistake of installing your curbside mailboxes on the right side of the road. The U.S. Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) explains that mailboxes should, when feasible, be installed on the right side of the road so that couriers can easily pull over to drop off and collect mail.

For HOA communities, failing to install community mailbox units on the correct side of the road can cause repeated delivery delays or non-compliance citations—especially if carriers report unsafe access conditions.

#2) Installing Too Close or Too Far Away From the Curb

Proper curbside mailbox installation also depends on precise placement relative to the curb or roadside. The USPS recommends that all post-mounted mailboxes be positioned between 6 and 8 inches from the curb. If mailboxes are placed too close, carriers may not have enough room to approach them without pulling onto the sidewalk or lawn. On the other hand, placing them too far from the curb may result in the carrier being unable to reach the box without leaving their vehicle.

For large-scale installations across HOA developments, consistency in spacing is key—not only for aesthetics but also to ensure compliance with postal regulations.

#3) Using a Concrete Post

Using concrete mailbox posts or other rigid materials may be tempting for durability, but many municipalities and states prohibit this due to road safety regulations. In the event of a vehicle collision, concrete or steel-reinforced mailbox posts pose a serious risk of injury. Instead, most areas require the use of breakaway mailbox posts—typically made from wood, aluminum, or light-duty steel—that will yield or collapse upon impact.

If you're managing a mailbox installation project for a residential development, confirm that all posts meet local DOT and USPS breakaway standards.

#4) Installing Post Too Deep

According to the United States Postal Service (USPS), curbside mailbox posts should be installed no deeper than 2 feet into the ground. When installing your curbside mailboxes, mark this depth and use caution not to go any deeper. If your mailboxes are installed too deep, they may fail to break away if struck by a car.

While a deeper post may seem more stable, the USPS specifies that curbside mailbox posts should be no deeper than 24 inches (2 feet). This ensures that the mailbox will break away safely in the event of a collision, minimizing injury risk. Digging deeper than recommended may create a post that’s too rigid to break away properly, making the installation both non-compliant and hazardous.

This is a common mistake made in new HOA mailbox replacement projects, especially when older mailbox posts are being swapped for newer, heavier-duty models.

#5) Assuming Curbside Mailboxes Are the Only Option

While curbside mailboxes are a popular and traditional choice, they’re not always the most practical or cost-effective solution for every community. An increasingly popular alternative—especially for HOAs, multi-family communities, and townhome developments—is the cluster box unit (CBU).

Curbside mailboxes aren't the only mail system available for residential communities. Another solution is cluster box units (CBUs). A form of centralized mail, CBUs consist of a free-standing or wall-mounted unit containing dozens of individual mail compartments. Each tenant of the surrounding community has his or her own mail compartment in the CBU. Choosing CBUs instead of curbside mailboxes could save you money while also allowing for faster and easier installation.

Cluster mailboxes consolidate delivery into one secure, centralized mailbox station, reducing maintenance costs, streamlining mail delivery, and improving neighborhood aesthetics. These USPS-approved multi-unit mailbox systems can serve a dozen or more residents with a single installation, making them a smart investment for new subdivisions, apartment complexes, and master-planned communities alike.

About Forsite:

Welcome to Forsite! You’ve found your best source custom street signs and community wayfinding signs. We manufacture and install upscale site amenities throughout the United States.

At Forsite, we specialize in complete mailbox solutions for residential developers, HOA communities, and property managers across the U.S. Whether you need help selecting decorative mailboxes with posts, compliant curbside mailboxes, or want to upgrade to centralized cluster mailbox systems, our team of experts can help guide your project from start to finish.

Forsite can provide all of your signage needs for your Master Planned Community or  Residential Development. We help our customers to create a uniform, upscale appearance and increase property values by "bundling" themed packages of decorative street signage, mailboxes, post and wall mounted lighting, and wayfinding signage.

We offer:

• USPS-compliant curbside mailbox kits

• Mailbox post combos in aluminum, steel, and composite materials

• Custom HOA mailbox packages to match community branding

• Cluster box units (CBUs) and pedestal-mounted multi-unit mailboxes

• Turnkey installation services

📞 Contact Forsite today at 855-537-0200 or visit mailboxesandsigns.com to start your next community mailbox upgrade.

💬 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Why shouldn't mailboxes be installed on the left side of the road?
A: Installing mailboxes on the left side can create safety hazards, as mail carriers would need to cross traffic lanes to deliver mail. The U.S. Federal Highway Administration advises placing mailboxes on the right-hand side to promote safer and more efficient mail delivery.

Q: What is the recommended height for curbside mailboxes?
A: The United States Postal Service recommends that the bottom of the mailbox be positioned 41 to 45 inches above the road surface to ensure accessibility for mail carriers.

Q: Why is it important to use a breakaway post for mailbox installations?
A: Breakaway posts are designed to minimize damage and injury in the event of a vehicle collision. Unlike rigid posts, breakaway designs yield upon impact, enhancing roadside safety.

Q: How can improper mailbox placement affect mail delivery?
A: Incorrect placement can obstruct mail carriers' access, leading to delivery delays or service interruptions. Following USPS guidelines ensures consistent and reliable mail service.

Q: What are the consequences of not adhering to USPS mailbox regulations?
A: Failure to comply with USPS regulations can result in mail delivery refusal, potential liability issues, and the need for costly reinstallation to meet required standards.

📘 Glossary of Terms

• Breakaway Post
  A mailbox support designed to collapse or break away upon impact, reducing the risk of injury and vehicle damage during collisions.

• Curbside Mailbox
  A mailbox installed at the edge of a roadway, allowing mail carriers to deliver without leaving their vehicles.

• USPS Regulations
  Guidelines set by the United States Postal Service governing the installation, placement, and construction of mailboxes to ensure safety and efficiency.

• Right-Hand Side Installation
  The practice of placing mailboxes on the right side of the road in the direction of travel, facilitating safer mail delivery and adherence to federal recommendations.

• Mailbox Height Requirement
  The specified vertical distance from the road surface to the bottom of the mailbox, recommended by USPS to be between 41 and 45 inches for optimal accessibility.