Mailbox Development Standards

The U.S. Postal Service™ (“USPS”) is responsible for establishing the method or “mode” of delivery for all new developments—both residential and commercial. The mode of delivery includes:

• Type of mailbox you will use
• Location of the mailbox for each delivery address

Mailbox Responsibility

Centralized Delivery and Cluster Box Units

Centralized delivery is the USPS preferred method of mail delivery. Centralized delivery equipment improves delivery efficiency and provides space for large mail items, including packages, which is a great benefit for their customer.  Freestanding, pedestal-style outdoor centralized mailboxes are called cluster box units or CBUs.  CBUs are “package friendly” because they are designed to accommodate the majority of packages delivered through the U.S. Mail®.  CBUs also include parcel lockers, which provide separate, locked storage for many packages.

Builders and developers or property owners are responsible for the purchase, installation, maintenance, repair, and replacement of mailbox equipment. 

The City of Moreno Valley does not have legal jurisdiction over mailboxes in our City, including but not limited to, type, location, purchase, installation, maintenance, repair and replacement of mailbox equipment. The City of Moreno Valley Municipal Code Chapter 9.16.130 (B)(12) Single-Family Residential General Guidelines states “Mailboxes, if required to be clustered, shall be designed to be compatible with surrounding homes, while conforming to post office guidelines.”

Home Owners Association Responsibility
Current USPS policy states that for developments with a Home Owners Association (HOA) that includes coverage of the cluster mailboxes, the HOA is the responsible party. For developments that pre-date the City’s incorporation in December 1984 and those that do not have a HOA that is responsible for the cluster mailboxes, the maintenance and repairs fall on the property owner whose mailbox is located on the respective cluster. 

The repairs must be coordinated and paid for by the responsible HOA or in collaboration with all the homeowners whose mailbox is located on the respective cluster.

Although, the City of Moreno Valley has been notified by the USPS San Diego District Manager that currently in these instances the USPS shall provide these mailbox replacements.