Snowplow season is hard on curbside mailboxes. Grab a tape measure before the first storm and run these checks.
Height: 41–45 inches
USPS guidelines put the bottom of a curbside mailbox (or the point where mail enters it) 41 to 45 inches above the road surface.
Setback: 6–8 inches
The front of the box, the door, should sit 6 to 8 inches back from the face of the curb or the edge of the road.
The push test
Give the post a firm push. If it leans or wobbles now, it's much easier to fix before the ground freezes than after a plow clips it.
Breakaway is safer
USPS notes that a mailbox support should ideally bend or fall away if a vehicle hits it. A heavy, rigid post isn't automatically the better choice.
Moving it? Ask first
If you need to move or replace the box, check with your local Post Office first. If you live in an HOA community, check its rules too.
Save the checklist: the pin version is on our Pinterest board Mailbox, Fence & Curb Appeal Fixes.
Source: U.S. Postal Service curbside mailbox guidelines (USPS STD-7B), accessed Oct 26, 2026: height, setback, breakaway support, contacting the Post Office. The push test and pre-freeze timing are practical tips.
