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The City of Portland, Oregon

Portland Bureau of Transportation

Phone: 503-823-5185

Fax: 503-823-7576

1120 SW Fifth Ave, Suite 1331, Portland, OR 97204

More Contact Info

Mailbox Clearance

MAILBOX CLEARANCE SIGNAGE APPLICATION

Portland City Code (§16.20.130.E) requires that vehicles not park within ten (10) feet of a mailbox facing the street. Unfortunately, not all drivers adhere to this requirement and may park within the restricted postal zone, thus impeding vehicle-served mail delivery. Parking enforcement may be contacted at 503/823-5195 to respond to this problem. In addition, PBOT can mail you stickers to place on your mailbox which read, "Do Not Block Mailbox 8am - 6pm Delivery Days." The stickers are sent at no cost and intended to be placed on both sides of the mailbox as warnings to drivers not to park vehicles there.

In the event neither stickers nor parking enforcement appears to curb the illegal parking behavior, constituents have the option to purchase mailbox clearance signage. This is a specially designated sign, typically placed behind the mailbox, with a double arrow which has an international no parking symbol and reads, "10 Feet Both Sides of Mailbox 8am-6pm Delivery Days." Installing this sign requires a fee of $75 and helps clarify the enforceable zone for parkers. The process usually takes 4-6 weeks and if the installation is deemed infeasible the $75 will be refunded to the applicant.

To apply, complete the APPLICATION and mail with a check for $75 with “City of Portland” as payee to:
Parking Control
1120 SW Fifth Avenue, Suite 800
Portland, OR 97204-1969 

If any questions about the mailbox clearance program or how to complete the form below, please contact the City of Portland,Parking Control Section at 503/823-PARK (-7275).

Here is the APPLICATION

 
Except as provided in Title 16, Vehicles & Traffic, Municipal Code for the City of Portland, it is illegal for any person, firm or corporation to paint any curb or to paint or stencil any wording on any public curb, driveway, sidewalk, or street area.   Per City Code, any such markings are hereby declared to be a public nuisance, and the Bureau of Transportation System Management is hereby empowered to remove the same or cause it to be removed without notice and at the expense of the adjacent property owners.