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I didn't say mine was legal. It is 5 inch pipe buried in a milk can . Actually deeper than I put. Local Maiman delivered with a compact car and dug it deeper into the ground .
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....lock....and load.......
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The USPS has some rules for mail box configuration.
It's mainly about height and distance from the curb, for curbside mail boxes.
After that, city and state laws would have any say over how they're constructed.
Those multiple boxes, gang boxes, are unlocking by a carrier opening a single panel with a USPS key.
Apartment or housing management is responsible for the placement according to USPS specs, cost, and maintenance, including replacement if individuals' locks and keys. The main lock operated by USPS carriers is provided by the USPS.
So to be pedantic, they do unlock boxes, but only if it's in their interest, i.e. saving time.
New housing developments around here are seeing gang boxes mid block or on corners. There are individual houses, not apartments, condos, town houses, etc.
I grew up with the sound of letters dropping down a little chute into the house, coming to rest behind a small grille. One of my favorite times of the day.
At least of those not involving food.
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For at-home business reasons, initially, I got a Post Office Box. The only thing I get in my curbside mailbox is junk mail and the occasional "I forgot you had a P O Box" greeting card for one of my kids.
The security of having the post office box is great. That they also accept courier packages (UPS, FedEx, etc.) is lagniappe.
And as JoeH pointed out to Deus; those nest-style boxes (apartment or condo or whatever) have single-key opening panels; the person delivering the mail does not open each individual box.
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thanks. i decided to go commando and got a box without a lock. living life on the edge...
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Speedy wrote:
[quote=srf1957]
[quote=Bernie]
I would but my money into a steal post and lots of concrete.
Maybe a nice vinyl post cover.
.
Then you are liable for the damage to the vehicle that accidentally hits it .
Mailboxes must be placed 6 to 8 inches away from the curb; the slot or door must be 41 to 45 inches from the ground. Curbside mailbox posts should be buried less than 24 inches deep and made from wood no larger than 4 inches high by 4 inches wide.Feb 6, 2018
A Guide to USPS Mailbox Regulations - Mailboss
https://www.mailboss.com › guide-usps-mailbox-regulations
Ok, so put your rails six inches on either side of the regulation box.
Bollards!
The USPS information above clearly differentiates between what one
must do and what one
should do. Thus, the recommendation to use wood for the mailbox post is just that — a recommendation, not a requirement.
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RgrF wrote:

I'm pretty sure that's a mailbox (for outgoing mail), not a delivery box.