No, it is not often illegal to park in front of a mailbox, but it can very well become illegal as per the local area rules. So, yes, it depends upon where you live and whether someone is also blocking your driveway or anything like that, other than just that mailbox. That means it is better to check back with your local area rules, but for a broader understanding of the matter, you can just keep on reading.
What Does the USPS Say About Mailbox Parking?
First of all, it should be known that no federal law prohibits parking in front of a mailbox. The United States Postal Service (USPS) is not involved in giving parking tickets, but there is one thing that they do care about: that delivery people should be able to get to your mailbox without any problem.
The USPS states that it is the owner’s responsibility to make sure the place near their mailbox is free. So, there should be no cars, no snow heaps, and no excessively grown plants hindering the way. The carrier may still deliver if your vehicle obstructs the mailbox occasionally. However, if it is always the case, they have the authority to discontinue the delivery of your mail. And really, it’s not worth the mess and the hassle that comes with it.
What Do State Laws Say?
At the moment, we are talking about various state regulations regarding parking close to mailboxes. So sure enough, there are clear differences in rules in different parts of the country. That’s why it is better to check the rules in your specific area than to rely on the broader rules.
New Hampshire
Prohibiting parking in front of a mailbox is not permitted at the state level. So, parking may be considered pretty much allowed if your city has not established its regulations. As an example, places like Portsmouth or Nashua might have some restrictions; therefore, it would be a good idea to check that on your local government website.
Vermont
The same goes for here. There is no specific ban by law at the state level. Nevertheless, you cannot park next to a driveway, a crosswalk, or a place where a “No Parking” sign has been put up. If your mailbox is blocked by a person, the USPS can decide not to deliver, but the police will not give a ticket to the car unless there is a local regulation. Keep that one in mind!
Washington State
There are no state regulations in Washington regarding mailboxes. So, it is not against the law unless your city has a different opinion. For example, Bellingham and Blaine have pretty strict local laws prohibiting that. Many municipalities, like Ferndale, are still in the process of drafting ordinances due to the complaints of the residents concerning the unreliable delivery of the mail.
Remember, Local Rules Matter Most
It may be that your state is not concerned about it, but local rules can change the situation entirely. A lot of towns give a condition that a certain distance, normally 5 to 10 feet, to be left between mailboxes and whatever is parked or placed there. There could also be those that prohibit parking there altogether.
If you want to be completely safe, you can always look up the parking regulations in your city online or get in touch with your local office by phone. That which is permitted in one area may result in you being ticketed in another.
