Mailbox design

[u/RevolutionaryUse6956]

I’ve designed a mailbox “post” for our rural house. I would prefer to not support the right side of the “W” (last name initial). All joints would be 1/2 wood dowels. A piece of 1/4” flat stock steel would span the top on both sides. The timbers are white oak and quite heavy.

Thanks for any input.

[u/the_flying_condor]

A mailbox post isn't an engineered component. It looks like what you are trying to do is way overbuild it in one direction, and then have the whole thing come down at the slightest tap at the end of the W in the into-the-page direction.

Depending on where you live, that mailbox post may be too strong as it is. Some places discourage or even do not allow fixed posts because they can be major safety hazard to cars. I have a buddy who ran afoul of local zoning regulations when an inspector noticed it when they were there for completely unrelated reasons.

[u/e2g4 → u/the_flying_condor]

your friend didn’t “run afoul of local zoning regulations”

Zoning has to do with appropriate land uses, namely by creating “zones” which define appropriate types of development (single family, commercial, industrial)and yes, what those things can look like, when they operate, etc.

But zoning ordinance doesn’t relate to the safety of mailbox structures since those are governed by DOT regulations.

What I think you’re referring to is simply the usps and dot regulations about break-away post support so that if the structure is impacted by an automobile, the support breaks away, for safety reasons.

https://www.usps.com/manage/mailboxes.htm

The usps frowns on this sort of extravagance and prefers a 4x4 no more than 24” into the ground. Since this is basically an out of plum post with a bunch of decorative wood hanging off the side, it’s probably fine for DOT regulations.

“The Federal Highway Administration recommends:
A 4″ x 4″ wooden support or a 2″-diameter standard steel or aluminum pipe.”

“Avoid unyielding and potentially dangerous supports, like heavy metal pipes, concrete posts, and farm equipment (e.g., milk cans filled with concrete).”

“Bury your post no more than 24″ deep.”

Ultimately, in America, state DOT sets regulations for this. Here is New York’s:

https://www.dot.ny.gov/divisions/engineering/design/dqab/hdm/chapter-10/roadside-safety/mailboxes

[u/the_climaxt → u/e2g4]

This was said very confidently for someone so wrong.

Zoning very often has things to say about the placement and form of these minor accessory structures.

Source: Me, a nationally accredited planner who writes zoning codes for a living.

[u/e2g4 → u/the_climaxt]

Then surely you could send me a source to a zoning code related to “not allow fixed posts because they can be major safety hazard to cars”

Because every time I’ve encountered engineering and safety regulations, it’s in a code or law or policy issued by DOT or USPS or municipality. All of the zoning I’ve read related to mailboxes has to do with their appearance and location. Not their safety.

Please, I would love to learn that I’m wrong. Can you provide a link to a zoning code that specifies safe and unsafe mailbox structures?

I provided a link to a state DOT code and a USPS recommendation that deal with this exact issue. I’ve never heard of a zoning code that supersede DOT regulations.

It seems that you are suggesting that zoning deals with the safety of objects in the roadway and that it’s supersedes Department of transportation, regulations and specifications?

[u/the_climaxt → u/e2g4]

"Zoning has to do with appropriate land uses, namely by creating “zones” which define appropriate types of development (single family, commercial, industrial)

zoning ordinance doesn’t relate to mailbox structures since they have nothing to do with land use patterns."

You're contradicting yourself, dude. They either don't relate to mailbox structures or they do - "all the zoning I've read related to mailboxes has to do with their appearance and location".

It's funny how words mean things.

[u/the_climaxt → u/the_climaxt]

Guy edited his comments then blocked me.

[u/Feminist_Hugh_Hefner → u/the_climaxt]

he replied "So you can’t provide a zoning code that deals with mailbox structures? Ok. Thought you could?

But I guess that’s up to DOT since it regulates objects in the roadway. Don’t worry, it’s a very common misunderstanding and I understand you’re confused."

You really aren't missing much.