Effective April 26, 2018, the Postal Service™ is revising the Postal Operations Manual (POM), part 631, to update policy related to modes of delivery.
Postal Operations Manual (POM)
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6 Delivery Services
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63 Modes of Delivery, Mail Receptacles, and Keys
631 Modes of Delivery
631.1 General
[Revise the text of 631.1 to read as follows:]
The Postal Service-approved modes of delivery available for all existing delivery points, including newly established and extensions of delivery points, are in 631.24. Centralized delivery is the preferred mode of delivery for all new residential and commercial developments. Curbside, sidewalk delivery, and door modes are generally not available for new delivery points, with very rare exceptions, as determined by the Postal Service in its sole discretion, on a case-by-case basis. The characteristics of the area to be served and the methods deemed necessary to provide adequate service by the Postal Service are described in greater detail throughout this section.
[Revise the title and introductory text of 631.2 to read as follows:]
631.2 Centralized Delivery (Preferred Mode)
Centralized delivery service is the preferred mode of delivery and may be provided to call windows, horizontal locked mail receptacles, cluster box units (CBUs), wall-mounted receptacles, or mechanical conveyors (mechanical conveyors are only for high-rise and multiple-tenant buildings, and only if certain conditions are met; consult your postmaster for details).
[Revise the first and second sentence of item a. to read as follows:]
a. Delivery requirements: CBUs and USPS STD 4C (wall-mounted) equipment may be approved for use at one or more centralized delivery points in a residential housing community or business location. The local postal manager or District designees must approve the mailbox sites and type of equipment.***
631.21 Curbside Delivery
[Revise the last sentence of 631.21 to read as follows:]
***Mail receptacles must be grouped two to a property line, where possible.
631.22 Sidewalk Delivery
[Revise the first sentence of 631.22 to read as follows:]
Sidewalk delivery may be provided to boxes located near the public sidewalk, only with prior approval from the Postal Service.***
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[Revise the text of item a. to read as follows:]
a. If the sidewalk abuts the curb or if other unusual conditions exist (e.g., excessive street parking) that make it difficult or impractical to install or serve boxes at the curbline, customers in these situations may be permitted to install all their boxes at the edge of the public sidewalk nearest the residence, where they can all be served by a carrier from the sidewalk.
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631.23 Door Delivery
[Revise the text of 631.23 to read as follows:]
Door delivery may be provided to boxes located at or near the door of a business or residential delivery point, or through a door slot, only with prior approval from the District Manager, and only if the box or mail slot can be efficiently, safely, and conveniently served by the carrier.
Door delivery will not be available for new delivery points, except in very unusual circumstances as determined by the Postal Service in its sole discretion.
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[Revise the title and text of 631.242 to read as follows:]
631.242 Newly Established or Extended Centralized Delivery Points (Preferred Mode)
Centralized delivery is the preferred mode for new or extended business or residential delivery points, with very rare exceptions, as determined by the Postal Service in its sole discretion, on a case-by-case basis (see 631.1). The mail receptacle and location of the delivery point(s) are approved by local postal officials in advance of the occupancy of the residence, business, or other site associated with the delivery point.
631.243 Newly Established or Extended Sidewalk or Curbside Delivery Points
[Revise the text of 631.243 to read as follows:]
Sidewalk or curbside delivery is permitted for new or extended business or residential delivery points, only with prior approval from the Postal Service. The mail receptacle and location of the delivery points are approved by the local District Manager in advance of the occupancy of the residence, business, or other site associated with the delivery points.
[Revise the title and text of 631.244 to read as follows:]
631.244 Newly Established or Extended Door Delivery Points
Door delivery will not be available for new delivery points, except in unusual circumstances as determined by the Postal Service in its sole discretion. Approval for newly established or extended business or residential door delivery points must come from the Area Vice President or designee. The Area Vice President must report the number of granted requests for newly established or extended business or residential door delivery points to Headquarters Delivery or its designee quarterly.
631.3 Business Areas
[Revise the introductory text of 631.3 to read as follows:]
The type and design of buildings govern the mode of delivery to be implemented; the location of USPS-approved delivery equipment is subject to Postal Service approval. Centralized delivery is the preferred mode of delivery for new delivery points, with very rare exceptions, as determined by the Postal Service in its sole discretion, on a case-by-case basis. Modes of delivery are described below:
[Revise the first and second sentence of item a. and the introductory text of item b. to read as follows:]
a. Centralized Delivery. Centralized delivery service is for all business office buildings, office complexes, and industrial/professional parks.***
b. Single Point Delivery. Where an exception to 631.1 has been granted by the District Manager or District designee, and subject to Area approval, single-point delivery (door, curbside, or sidewalk) may be provided for single points, receptacles, or door slots provided by business management.
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631.4 Residential Housing (Except Apartment Houses and Transient Mobile or Trailer Homes)
[Revise the third and fourth sentence of 631.4 to read as follows:]
***Centralized delivery is the preferred mode for new delivery points. Curbside, sidewalk delivery, and door modes are generally not available for new delivery points, with very rare exceptions, as determined by the Postal Service, in its sole discretion, on a case-by-case basis (see 631.1).
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631.53 Local Ordinances
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[Revise the text of item a. to read as follows:]
a. Centralized Delivery Service. See 631.2.
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631.542 Exceptions
[Revise the introductory text of 631.542 to read as follows:]
Delivery of mail to individual boxes in multiple residential buildings containing apartments or units occupied by different addressees is contingent upon USPS concluding the following requirements are met:
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The Postal Service will incorporate these revisions into the next online update of the Postal Operations Manual, which is available on the PolicyNet website:
n Go to blue.usps.gov.
n In the left-hand column under “Essential Links,” click PolicyNet.
n Click Manuals.
The direct URL for the Postal Service PolicyNet website is blue.usps.gov/cpim.
— Delivery Programs Support,
Delivery Operations, 4-26-18
