ADA Accessibility Guidelines for Commercial Mailboxes

Standard Cluster Box Units (CBU's)

ADA Compliance Guidelines for Cluster Box Units

With high-security designs and quality construction, Salsbury’s Cluster Box Units (CBU's) will provide years of maintenance free service.

Purpose of this document –  This document provides guidance for architects, designers, and contractors when selecting and installing Salsbury Cluster Box Units (CBUs) in accordance with ADA accessibility guidelines for wheelchair reach. The height of the mailbox unit above the finished floor (AFF) determines the number of tenant compartments that meet ADA reach requirements.

Salsbury Cluster Box Units (CBUs) can be installed so that designated tenant mailbox and parcel locker compartments are positioned within applicable ADA reach requirements. Because CBU configurations contain different numbers and arrangements of compartments, the number of compartments within the accessible reach range varies by model.

Salsbury provides model-specific ADA installation drawings for both Standard and Regency Cluster Box Units. These drawings identify
compartment locations and provide dimensional guidance to assist architects, designers, and contractors in planning accessible installations.

Standard Cluster Box Units

Refer to the Standard Cluster Box Unit ADA Installation Guide for accessibility and installation dimensions for applicable 3300 Series models, including:

  • 3316
  • 3306
  • 3313
  • 3308
  • 3312
  • 3305
  • 3302 (Outdoor Parcel Locker)
  • 3304 (Outdoor Parcel Locker)

View Standard CBU ADA Installation Guide

Regency Cluster Box Units

Refer to the Regency Cluster Box Unit ADA Installation Guide for accessibility and installation dimensions for applicable 3300R series Cluster Box Units.

View Regency CBU ADA Installation Guide

Accessible mailbox installations require more than proper mailbox height. ADA guidelines generally call for a clear floor or ground space of at least 30 inches wide by 48 inches deep so that a person using a wheelchair can approach and operate the mailbox. The required placement of this space depends on whether the approach is from the front or side, and designers must account for surrounding features such as curbs, walls, landscaping, counters, pedestal bases, floor elevation changes, and other obstacles that could limit wheelchair access or positioning.

For both forward and side approaches, accessible operable parts are generally permitted within a reach range of 15 to 48 inches above the finished floor, provided the approach is unobstructed. When users must reach over an obstruction, ADA reach limits may be reduced. For example, certain forward-reach obstructions can lower the maximum reach height from 48 inches to 44 inches, while some side-reach obstructions can reduce it to 46 inches. Because allowable reach depends on the depth and configuration of the obstruction, each installation should be evaluated based on actual site conditions. Whenever possible, an unobstructed wheelchair approach is the simplest and most effective way to ensure accessibility compliance.

  • Figure 1

    ADA_Figure_1_Front_Reach.jpg

    Forward Reach Requirement

    Forward reach from a wheelchair is covered in Section 308.2.1 of the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design published by the U.S. Department of Justice (September 15, 2010). It states: “Where a forward reach is unobstructed, the high forward reach shall be 48 inches (1220 mm) maximum and the low forward reach shall be 15 inches (380 mm) minimum above the finish floor or ground.” See Figure 1.

    The 48” maximum high forward reach is also found in the USPS requirements where at least one tenant mailbox must be located less than 48” above the finished floor. The 15” lower limit is also found in the USPS requirements as the lowest position above the finished floor for the shelf surface of a parcel locker.

  • Figure 2

    ADA_Figure_2_Side_Reach.jpg

    Side Reach Requirement

    Side reach from a wheelchair is covered in Section 308.3.1 of the same document. It states: “Where a clear floor or ground space allows a parallel approach to an element and the side reach is unobstructed, the high side reach shall be 48 inches (1220 mm) maximum and the low side reach shall be 15 inches (380 mm) minimum above the finish floor or ground.” See Figure 2.

    The 48” maximum high side reach is also found in the USPS requirements where at least one tenant mailbox must be located less than 48” above the finished floor. The 15” lower limit is also found in the USPS requirements as the lowest position above the finished floor for the shelf surface of a parcel locker.
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