Residents ask whether new housing must use cluster mailboxes and who maintains them

Residents at the Jan. 25 Leon Valley town hall asked whether developers are required by the U.S. Postal Service to install centralized cluster mailboxes for new housing projects and who bears maintenance responsibility if boxes are damaged.

One resident asked whether developers must provide cluster boxes or whether individual mail receptacles at homes are permitted. Staff replied that developers and the USPS coordinate placement and that maintenance can be a lengthy federal process. The staff member said residents have reported wait lists of up to a year or two for USPS replacement of damaged cluster boxes and that developers, homeowner associations or property owners sometimes budget for maintenance or install cameras and lighting to deter vandalism.

Staff suggested that residents consider budgeting for maintenance or arranging with HOAs to maintain boxes, and noted options such as filing claims with the USPS for urgent replacement. The city said it has pursued camera installations at some HOAs and that lighting helps reduce tampering.

No policy changes were made at the town hall; staff provided procedural guidance and options to residents.