Government of Canada / Gouvernement du Canada
Symbol of the Government of Canada

Search

Mail Receptacles Regulations (SOR/83-743)

Regulations are current to 2024-10-14 and last amended on 2014-11-07. Previous Versions

SCHEDULE VI(s. 15)Specifications for Rural Mail Boxes

Design

  • 1 Every rural mail box shall be designed in such a manner that the name plate or the space reserved for the name of the boxholder is not obscured by the signal device.

Materials

  • 2 The material used for a rural mail box shall

    • (a) be sufficiently sturdy to bear the weight of the box and contents without distortion; and

    • (b) be sufficiently weatherproof to enable it to withstand the climate in which it is used.

Box Dimensions

  • 3 The minimum interior dimensions of a rural mail box shall be

    • (a) 45 cm in length by 17.5 cm in width by 17.5 cm in height, in the case of a rectangular box; and

    • (b) 45 cm in length by 25 cm in diameter, in the case of a cylindrical box.

Box Opening

  • 4 Every rural mail box shall be equipped with a door that

    • (a) is located in the front of the box;

    • (b) cannot be secured with a lock;

    • (c) has a minimum effective opening of

      • (i) 17.5 cm in width and 17.5 cm in height, if the opening is rectangular, or

      • (ii) 25 cm in diameter, if the opening is round;

    • (d) is capable of remaining in the open position while mail is being deposited or withdrawn and shall be a tight fit and self-sealing when closed;

    • (e) has a handle, lip, flange or other similar aid for opening it; and

    • (f) is constructed of a material sturdy enough to withstand normal every day handling.

Signal Device

    • 5 (1) Every rural mail box shall be equipped with a signal device that may be rendered visible above the box and that, when it is so visible, will indicate from a distance, either to the courier or the householder, that mail has been delivered or deposited in the box for pickup.

    • (2) The signal device referred to in subsection (1) shall be

      • (a) located on the right hand side when facing the box from the front; and

      • (b) affixed so that it does not impede vehicular or pedestrian traffic.

    • (3) The actuating mechanism of the signal device shall not in any way interfere with the interior of the box.

Mounting

  • 6 The mounting hardware for a rural mail box shall be such as to be flush with the bottom of the interior of the box.

  • SOR/98-558, s. 7(F)
  • SOR/2000-199, s. 15(F)
 

Date modified: