Howdy nkamom-ga,
Although there might be state or local laws that modify it, your local
postmaster is the one that needs to approached with a change such as the one
you are proposing. Your local postmaster might be able to advise you on amy
possible state or local laws as well.
This United States Postal Service (USPS) document titled "Recipient Services"
points out the necessity to make arrangements with your local postmaster.
http://pe.usps.gov/Archive/HTML/DMMArchive0106/print/508.htm
"2.0 Conditions of Delivery
2.1 City Delivery Service
2.1.1 Establishment
City delivery is provided according to USPS policies and procedures, the
characteristics of the area to be served, and the methods needed to provide
adequate service. Requests or petitions to establish, change, or extend city
delivery service must be made to the local postmaster. [D042.9.1]"
The very next section of the above document provides the justification you
might need to make your proposed changes.
"2.1.2 Accommodating Customer Hardship
Changes in the type of delivery authorized for a delivery point may be
considered if service by existing methods imposes an extreme physical hardship
on the customer. [D042.9.2]"
Don't fret if you are in a rural location, as the above document points out.
"2.2 Rural Delivery Service
2.2.1 Establishment
Rural stations and branches are established, and rural delivery is provided,
according to USPS policies and procedures, the characteristics of the area to
be served, and the methods needed to provide adequate service. Requests or
petitions to establish, change, or extend rural delivery service, signed by the
heads of families wanting this service, must be given to the postmaster of the
post office from which delivery service is desired, or from which the route
operates, as applicable. [D042.10.1]"
So, as if often the case, the comment by Myoarin below contains the great
suggestion that you should put together a petition "signed by the heads of
families" requesting the change. The above document emphasizes this point.
"2.2.2 Accommodating Customer Hardship
On the customer's written request, the postmaster may approve an exception to
the currently authorized method of delivery, if the type of rural delivery
authorized imposes an extreme physical hardship. [D042.10.2]"
The proposed new location for the mailboxes needs to meet USPS requirements.
"2.3.4 Mailbox Location
Curbside mailboxes meeting the applicable standards in 3.0 must be placed where
they protect the mail and can be conveniently served by carriers without
leaving their vehicles. These boxes must be on the right side of the road in
the direction of travel when required by traffic conditions or when driving to
the left to reach the boxes would violate traffic laws by the carrier.
[D042.11.4]"
This point is emphasized later in the above document, along with the need to
consider state and local laws.
"3.2.6 Location
Subject to state laws and regulations, a curbside mailbox must be placed to
allow safe and convenient delivery by carriers without leaving their vehicles.
The box must be on the right?hand side of the road in the direction of travel
of the carriers on any new rural route or highway contract route, in all cases
where traffic conditions are dangerous for the carriers to drive to the left to
reach the box, or where their doing so would violate traffic laws and
regulations. [D041.2.7]"
I doubt you will have to or should actually cite the pertinent USPS codes to
your postmaster, as I have found most postmasters to be quite decent.
If you need any clarification, please feel free to ask.
Search strategy:
Google search on: location mailbox site:.usps.gov
://www.google.com/search?q=location+mailbox+site%3A.usps.gov
Looking Forward, denco-ga - Google Answers Researcher |
