Mailbox Location: What Swiss Law Says (OPO Art. 74)

House vs. Apartment Building: Two Different Rules

Article 74 of the Postal Ordinance (OPO) clearly distinguishes between individual houses (or two-family homes) and multi-unit apartment buildings. In both cases, the core principle remains the same: the postal worker must be able to deliver mail from public space without encountering any closed obstacles.

For individual or two-family homes, the mailbox must be located at the property line, near the usual access point, with the slot facing the street and as close to the road as possible. It can be integrated into a low wall, a gate, or a totem, but it must not require the postal worker to enter the property.

For apartment buildings (more than two households), the bank of mailboxes can be within the entrance area, but it must remain freely accessible from the street without passing through a closed door. A mailbox bank located behind a locked door is not compliant.

Vertical Mailboxes and Special Cases

The standard strongly favors horizontal mailbox arrangements. Vertical mailboxes are only permitted when a horizontal arrangement is genuinely impossible due to architectural constraints or for a protected building. Additional exemptions exist under Article 75 OPO for heritage protection or for health reasons of an occupant.

These situations are assessed on a case-by-case basis with La Poste. This is precisely where a professional on-site survey can save you time and hassle.

The Right Approach: Validate Location Before Installation

Before any manufacturing, we conduct an on-site verification to ensure the projected location complies with Article 74 of the OPO. We check the distance from the street, the orientation of the slot, and accessibility from public areas. This prevents installing a perfect mailbox in the wrong place, which would result in non-delivery.

In Case of Dispute: The PostCom Procedure

Disagreements regarding mailbox placement are common, especially during renovations or changes to public roads. The procedure is clearly defined:

1. **La Poste Customer Service:** First, contact customer service, who will explain their position on the location and attempt to reach an amicable agreement.

2. **Federal Postal Commission (PostCom):** If no agreement is reached, PostCom is seized and issues a binding decision on the location, applying the OPO.

3. **Federal Administrative Court:** PostCom's decision can be appealed before the Federal Administrative Court. In practice, most disputes are resolved well before this stage.

• — Source: Postal Ordinance (OPO), Articles 74 and 75; Article 31 para. 2 lit. c for suspension of delivery.
• — Practice confirmed by PostCom (mailbox placement).

Guaranteed Compliance, Free Quote

We survey, verify postal worker access, then manufacture and install. Compliance is guaranteed in writing, and you'll receive a free quote within 48 hours. Helvabox offers custom mailboxes, manufactured and installed in French-speaking Switzerland, with guaranteed compliance to postal standards. With over 20 years of experience, we ensure your mailbox meets all requirements.

FAQ