A neighbors mailbox rests directly on top of our fence. Can we remove the mailbox to make a new driveway.?

Question

We just moved into the house December 06. My husband drives a large truck for a living and we need to make a larger driveway so he can park the vehicle at night. Are we legally able to ask them to remove the mailboxes if they hinder the use of our property. I know all mailboxes must be on the right side of the road. Currently their mailbox is almost two houses down from their entry way. In front of my neighbors house would be the most logical place for their mailbox. FYI, the mailbox belongs to my sister in law's grandmother and mother, who are very difficult people to get along with, but we must do so for the sake of my brother. We really need the new driveway, what should we do??

Answer 1

Is the mailbox on the right-of-way, if so they this is a touchy subject. if the mailbox is on a your property I would first check with the local post office and explain to them. Then make neccessary arrangement through them to move it to another location. Tell the PO that the people are not responding to you efforts on this matter. If its legally able to be moved which it is, the PO should tell you how to do this. If its on the right-of-way then simply move it down to the edge of the new driveway. This is not an offense as long as it available for use throughout the process of building a new driveway. If the box is on private property then you do have the right to move it but make sure you follow all laws from the PO when doing so. Ask to speek with the Post Master at the local PO, he or she will lead you in the right direction.

Answer 2

Do you own the land it's on? Are you sure?

Most mailboxes are placed on the few feet off the street that legally belong to the town. I have property where the town owns a full fifteen feet from the road!

IF your fence is on town property, you have no right to remove a mailbox from it. In fact, the fence would actually belong to the town!

In addition, most post offices require a lengthy notification if the order of the mailboxes on the street is to be changed, because they pack mail on trucks in a specific order for ease of delivery.

the best solution to your situation is to BUY a mailbox for your kinfolk (they ARE relatives AND neighbors...why don't you do something nice for them AS WELL AS getting your way, and all for a bargain price!!) Once you put it up for them, have them contact the post office, and at the date the post office gives, make your modifications.

By the way, even if you own the land, it's often illegal to remove the mailbox (federal property), but it might be legal to remove the fence. (go figure) Moving the box along the fence in a direction closer to the home it belongs to is also a good option, if it's possible, and no judge would even listen to an argument that it's wrong to do so.

Answer 3

I am assuming that their house is across the street on the left side. I would think they would be obligated to put their mailbox where it would be most convenient for the owner whose property it adjoins. Is their mailbox the only one in that location or are they are group of them?

I'd ask them to move it to a more suitable place if you need to make a driveway. I know that so many feet off the edge of the roadway is either city/county property in most states, so they may be assuming that since that's the case, it can go anywhere, but then again I don't think they'd be able to do that because they couldn't erect a mailbox right in the middle of your driveway or anything. It's family, I'd ask them one time, politely, to move it so you could construct a new driveway. If they didn't seem receptive, I'd ask my brother to handle thsi for you.

Answer 4

Mailboxes on the side of the road and not on the owner of the mailboxes property has to be on the towns or states property. Since the fence is on your property, find out the laws in your state first, which I belive generally is twenty feet from the center of the town road. Send them a certified letter stating that the mailbox is on your property and you intend to move it.. unfortunatley they can move it off the fence and put a post closer to the road but in the same spot but on town property. Your best bet is to ask nicely and tell them why you would like to move it and let them know you will do it.. Good luck..

Answer 5

If the mailbox is on your property, then you have the right to do whatever you want with it. If it isn't and it's on public property, then you are out of luck. I would offer to pay to move the mailbox for them since that will smooth things over.

Answer 6

Your post master Is the best person to ask this question because I believe It Is a crime for your neighbor to remove your mailbox at all,I think It Is even a felony.

Answer 7

get it off the fence and buy a 4x4 and put it in the ground after you widen the driveway. you don't have to say a word the them about it. my neighbor wanted to put up a fence so the compant came out and checked the property come to find out his shed is half on my property.lucky for him im not a jerk could have made him move it its on a slab so that would be hard.you have all rights to remove the mail box just be nice and put it back up

Answer 8

Yes you have the Legal Right to ask them to remove their Mailbox. My suggestion would be to contact your Neighbors and ask them to move it. They probably won't have any problems in doing so. If by chance they do give you any problems you can then contact your local postmaster. He will probably direct you to the Local Police Dept.

Answer 9

Talk to them before moving the mailbox. Explain why it needs to be moved and maybe offer to relocate it for them.

Answer 10

Advise them of the situation and even offer to relocate the mailbox for them closer to their residence, and if they do not want any of it, then tear it down since its your property and your fence. You can also cal the local postmaster and get his opinion..???