I seem to recall my mailbox having instructions on what the proper setback was from the curb for mounting it. Unfortunately, I was too lazy to re-set the post for the mounting hardware after the snowplow took out my mailbox last year, and didn't want to move the post even though the hardware was different, and I remember that the instructions gave a setback, which I was technically not complying with (as the new mailbox had different mounting hardware).
As I can see from looking out the window that my mailbox got taken out again this year … at what distance should I have it from the front of the curb? (and I'm in the U.S.)
(UFPI says a "must be at least 8 to 12 inches away from the curb of the street"; Answers.com claims 6-9 inches; eHow claims 6-8 inches)
Best Answer
6-8 inches from the curb according to the official USPS website.
Of course, this refers to the location of the door relative to the front face of the curb. If the plow is taking out the post, rather than the box itself, you could install a post that is angled, rather than vertical. My dad would cement a 6-foot steel fence post 5 feet into the ground in front of the mailbox post. "That'll show 'em!"