The requirements for the placement of mailbox assemblies within public rights-of-way in the city and made part hereof for all purposes is, and the same hereby, adopted as the official policy of the city.
(Ordinance 2012-05 adopted 3/13/12)
Words or phrases not expressly prescribed herein are to be defined in accordance with their customary usage as it relates to this specific application.
A supporting post that yields or breaks away safely if struck by a vehicle. Such supporting post shall consist of a maximum nominal 4-inch by 4-inch square or 4-inch diameter wood post or 1.5-inch to 2-inch diameter standard steel or aluminum pipe post, which is buried no more than 24-inches deep with or without the use of concrete. Wood, steel or aluminum pipe posts exceeding the aforementioned size and installation depth requirements are permitted up to a maximum 6 inch nominal dimension when specifically designed as a breakaway support system in accordance with American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) guidelines.
A style of mailbox where multiple mailboxes are assembled and grouped together on a single area of land in compliance with the specifications and design guidelines of the United States Postal Service (“USPS”) and the city, so they are regarded as one unit. The use of cluster-style mailboxes must be reviewed and approved by both the city and the USPS.
An assembly constructed using materials that do not meet the definition of a “standard mailbox” and “breakaway support” (e.g., brick, stone or other masonry type materials and/or heavy gauge steel or other substantial materials), which is erected near the edge of the roadway or curbside of a street and is intended or used for the collection of mail and is to be served by a mail carrier from a vehicle.
Damage of any origin sustained whereby over fifty percent (50%) of the mailbox assembly has been affected.
An assembly consisting of lightweight sheet metal or plastic mailbox meeting the specifications of the USPS, which is located near the edge of the roadway or curbside of a street and is mounted on an approved breakaway support post, and is intended or used for the collection of mail and is to be served by a mail carrier from a vehicle. Standard mailbox assembly includes decorative/architectural style boxes and posts that meet USPS specifications. Multiple standard mailbox assembly installations must meet the same criteria as a single standard mailbox assembly installation.
(Ordinance 2012-05 adopted 3/13/12; Ordinance 2019-23 adopted 4/23/19)
(a)
No new or replacement mailbox assembly will be allowed to be installed within the city’s rights-of-way if its placement interferes with the safety of the traveling public or the function, maintenance, or operation of the city’s roadway or utility systems. Any new or replacement mailbox assembly installation that does not conform to the provisions of these requirements is an unauthorized encroachment and is subject to removal as specified in this document.
(b)
The location and construction of mailbox assemblies shall adhere to the rules and requirements of the USPS, as well as to city requirements. In the event that there is a conflict between USPS and city requirements, the more stringent requirements shall apply.
(c)
Standard mailboxes mounted on an approved breakaway support posts are permitted within public rights-of-way along all city maintained roadways. The face of the mailbox assembly shall be set a minimum of 18 inches from the edge of pavement or between 6 and 8 inches from the face of the curb. The post-to-box attachment shall be of sufficient strength to prevent the box from separating from the post under vehicle impacts. Lightweight sheet metal or plastic newspaper boxes may be mounted below the mailbox on the support. Refer to figure 1 for a general detail of this type of placement.
Figure 1  |
(d)
Custom-built mailbox assemblies are only permitted along local and minor collector classified roadways. The face of these types of mailbox assemblies shall be set a minimum of 18 inches from the edge of pavement or between 8 and 12 inches from the face of the curb. Custom-built mailboxes shall not be larger than two (2) feet wide by two (2) feet deep and five (5) feet high. Additionally, these types of strictures shall not be permanently attached to any type of concrete pad or foundation. Refer to figure 2 for a general detail of this type of placement.
Figure 2  |
(e)
Mailboxes made of heavy gauge steel or other substantial materials that are designed and sold as deterrents to vandalism and that meet USPS requirements shall adhere to the same requirements as custom-built mailboxes.
(f)
All mailbox assemblies must be placed in a manner that does not interfere with visibility from intersections, driveways, side streets, alleys or other access points.
(g)
Mailbox assemblies must not interfere with pedestrian traffic and shall not encroach into sidewalks or other accessible routes without providing a minimum of five (5) feet of clear, unobstructed and accessible space from all points around the assembly.
(h)
(1)
Cluster-style mailboxes and/or CBU’s and all associated shelters and improvements, lighting, parking, and other related amenities shall be installed in relation to all subdivisions approved on or after April 23, 2019, and shall be located, designed, and constructed in accordance with USPS requirements and guidelines and the following:
(A)
Installation shall be the responsibility of the owner and/or developer of the subdivision in which the cluster-style mailboxes and/or CBU’s are located;
(B)
Maintenance, repair, and replacement shall be the responsibility of the homeowners’ association that governs the subdivision in which the cluster-style mailboxes and/or CBU’s are located;
(C)
Cluster-style mailboxes and/or CBU’s shall not be located in an area that impedes pedestrian or vehicular traffic, creates any type of sight visibility issue or adversely impacts the sight distance to any driveway and/or road intersection;
(D)
Cluster-style mailboxes and/or CBU’s and all associated shelters and improvements shall be located within a common area lot, amenity center, or an easement that expressly provides for location of and access to the cluster-style mailboxes and/or CBU’s, said location to be approved by the planning director and the city engineer prior to installation;
(E)
The location of the cluster-style mailboxes and/or CBU’s and any improvements that provide for access shall be shown on the development plans and identified on an approved plat or by separate instrument recorded in the official public records of the county;
(F)
Cluster-style mailboxes and/or CBU’s and any associated shelters and improvements shall not be located within any easement other than an easement described in paragraph (4), above, without written authorization of the owner of the property burdened by the easement and the grantee of the easement;
(G)
Cluster-style mailboxes and/or CBU’s and associated shelters and improvements shall not be located within the public right-of-way or adjacent to any street that is designated as a collector or arterial street on the city’s most-recently approved thoroughfare plan;
(H)
Cluster-style mailboxes and/or CBU’s and shelters shall be exempt from the setback requirements; however, no associated structures and/or shelter shall be installed prior to submission of an application to and issuance of a building permit by the building department;
(I)
Cluster-style mailboxes and/or CBU’s and shelter must consist of a stone/masonry base, cap (top), sides, and rear having a similar architectural style appropriate to the character of the surrounding buildings and district with a 90% minimum masonry coverage;
(J)
Cluster-style mailboxes and/or CBU’s shall be powder-coated in the factory using earth tone shades including the color black. Galvanized aluminum or shades resembling galvanized aluminum shall not be permitted; and
(K)
Cluster-style mailboxes and/or CBU’s and associated shelters and improvements shall be clearly lit with LED fixtures that are shielded, and downcast.
(2)
Upon application, the city council may grant a special exception to the provisions of this subsection (h); provided, however, the city council may not grant a special exception to any USPS regulations or any exception to federal or state laws and regulations governing accessibility of cluster-style mailboxes and/or CBU’s and associated shelters and improvements by people with disabilities. In the event of any conflict between this subsection (h) and USPS regulations and/or other federal or state laws and/or regulations, the more stringent requirement shall control.
(i)
For individual-type mailbox assemblies, the property owner shall be responsible for the erection, maintenance, repair, replacement or removal of the roadside mailbox assembly serving their individual place of dwelling or business.
(j)
Mailbox assemblies located within public rights-of-way along state maintained roadways shall adhere to the requirements of the Texas Department of Transportation or their successor agency.
(Ordinance 2012-05 adopted 3/13/12; Ordinance 2019-23 adopted 4/23/19)
(a)
A permit must be obtained from the city before a new mailbox assembly is installed within city rights-of-way. If the mailbox assembly is being installed in association with a new residence or business that has a valid building permit, the mailbox assembly will be inspected along with the building construction.
(b)
A copy of the mailbox assembly permit application form is included as exhibit B to Ordinance 2012-05. This form may be revised or updated from time-to-time as needed without having to amend these requirements.
(Ordinance 2012-05 adopted 3/13/12)
(a)
The city reserves the right to remove, relocate or cause to be relocated and/or replace any existing mailbox assembly located within public right-of-way that interferes with the safety of the traveling public or the function, maintenance, or operation of the city’s roadway or utility systems or that interferes with pedestrian traffic, including the removal and replacement of custom-built mailbox assemblies with standard mailbox assemblies.
(b)
Any type of mailbox assembly located in city right-of-way is subject to damage or destruction at any time. The city shall not assume any liability for damaged or destroyed mailbox assemblies of any type installed within city rights-of-way.
(c)
If a standard mailbox assembly or cluster-style mailbox located in city right-of-way is damaged or destroyed as the result of city or utility company activities, the city or utility company that damaged or destroyed the mailbox assembly shall replace said mailbox assembly with one of the same or similar design.
(Ordinance 2012-05 adopted 3/13/12)
(a)
Any new mailbox assembly that is found to violate the provisions of these requirements shall be removed by the property owner upon notification by the city. The city will provide the property owner with a written notice of violation, after which time, based on an assessment of hazard to the public, the property owner will be granted not less than 24 hours nor more than 30 calendar days to remove the mailbox assembly. Upon expiration of the specified removal period, the mailbox assembly will be removed by the city at the property owner’s expense.
(b)
Unless the placement or location of an existing mailbox assembly that does not meet these requirements interferes with the safety of the traveling public or the function, maintenance, or operation of the city’s roadway or utility systems or interferes with pedestrian traffic as detailed within this document, the mailbox assembly will be permitted to remain.
(Ordinance 2012-05 adopted 3/13/12)