Hi all, I have a question regarding empty lots and cluster mailboxes. I have a 51 space park, but only 34 are usable, and due to local regulations, I’m unable to build those remaining out (add utilities, etc.). That said, I have four cluster mailboxes that are in bad shape and was informed by USPS I need to replace them.
I was just thinking of putting in three boxes (3-12 counts) but was told by USPS that I need to put in enough to account for 51 spaces. I didn’t understand the logic because those spaces cannot be used, but I was told that’s how it is to be done. Does this make sense to anyone? The price difference between is pretty substantial so I would rather not have to add extra cluster boxes that will never be used.
Any guidance is appreciated.
gotta love USPS - sounds like zero logic which unfortunately, sounds like a gov run entity. sorry to hear it.
Mail aside, I’m curious about your local regulations. If you have time, I would vote for a detailed post about it. I think there’s a lot to learn from one another around regulations and those which are unconstitutional ( or at least, conflict with state ordinance)
We have put in cluster mailboxes at multiple locations.
I have found very much comes down the the “Post Master” in charge and their policies and attitudes can vary greatly. I had one Post Master tell me we had to have like 4 of the larger “Postal Lockers” for every 10 homes, which would have meant I would have had to get a whole extra parcel only unit because the pedestals I was looking at only had like 2 parcel lockers for like 12 homes.
Then I spoke to a Post Master at another town who I have dealt with and he has quite a bit of experience and talked it through with him and he actually called the Post Master at the location we were working at, and talked her into letting is slide because we were making an improvement we did not have to do, and the old setup had 0 postal lockers (it was an old stick built multi mailbox stand) and at least the way we were doing it, we would have had 3 or 4 new parcel lockers which is an improvement over 0.
You could try to talk to the Post Master again and emphasize that you could be helping them if you make the improvement under better terms. If your old boxes aren’t nice, or don’t have parcel lockers, or very good ones, you could tell the Post Master, at least we would be adding some parcel lockers to help your drivers.
Sounds like the local building department has convinced you that you do not have a 51-space park. I bet you could hire a municipal attorney and persuade the City/Town that you actually have a 51-space park and they can pound sand.
I do not know all the details, but this is a familiar-sounding story. When the park was first approved, you were allowed 51 spaces. In 1981, we (the town) changed the local zoning ordinance (to prevent more mobile homes from coming into our town), and now you are legally not allowed to install any more homes onto your existing spaces..
This is called condemnation by regulation, also known as inverse condemnation. It’s been litigated three ways to sundown, and the park usually wins.
I understand you are asking about mailboxes, but the real issue here is that you think you have a 51 unit park, but the city thinks you can only use 34 lots. I would dig into the legality of that issue heavily. If you truly have a 51 unit park, then the city may be forcing you out of business over time. Who’s to say that next year, they don’t say you have a 28 unit park.
There are grandfathering laws in our country, and part of those laws means if you built 51 units, you will always have 51 units. Please do not believe the city as your only source that the remaining units are unavailable.
This is an issue that went to the supreme court at least 5 times in various cities, and the park won in all 5 cases. Please research and assert your rights. Use a good knowledgeable attorney familiar with zoning rules.
Then, buy the 51 unit mailbox because you will need it.
Sorry for the late follow-up, you guys all made some great points. USPS was giving me a few issues and we had a back adn forth until I spoke to a rep from the address management system office, which is what they base their lot counts on. He spoke to his management and their discussions around the original plat, and the current configuration according to zoning ordinances, they agreed with me that those other lots, per current regulations should not be counted as addresses as they were never used and therefore I do not have to add additional boxes to account for them.
That said, she did say that if that ever changes and those end up being counted as 51 lots than I would need to add another box to account for them, which is perfectly fine.
The rationale given was that each lot uses a septic tank/field and therefore there isn’t enough space to accommodate more lots. I actually think it would be useful to get a municipal attorney to at least take a look. I appreciate the guidance!
Thank you! I think both you and SDGuy make some good points about the legality of this restriction. I’m going to follow-up with a muncipal attorney to see. Thank you!
I would dig into the County/Health Department Records to find the park’s original approval documents.
They play the “this is no longer legal” game all the time. Please do not believe one word from their mouths. I have found, over and over again, that County officials go by “Policy” rather than the actual law.
We are dealing with a Septic issue right now, a legal non-conforming use MHP/RV park. The County wants me to destroy a 1,500-gallon tank when I install two new 3,000-gallon tanks. As that’s their “Policy”, I said, “I am happy to comply with all applicable state and local Laws. Please show me the law that says I am required to remove the old tank before you will approve me adding two new tanks……. “ Crickets.. It’s been 2 weeks, and they haven’t responded.
What state are you in?
As for the Mailboxes. Amazon sells USPS-approved banks.
Try installing the new cluster mailboxes for the 34 usable spaces, and by the time they’ve been installed, maybe a new postmaster will say that’s fine, don’t worry about the rest of the unusable lots. Think of it as, you are going to have to put in new mailbox clusters for the usable lots anyway, so might as well get started on the ones you need, and after the installation is complete, see if you get any pushback from the powers that be….
