Centralized mail delivery is now part of all new residential and commercial developments in Canada. Delivery Planning Standards Manual for Builders and Developers with diagrams and in depth guidance from Canada Post is available for download. Please keep this link handy as the manual may be updated at any time.
What does this mean for AIBC registrants?
It means that it is worth taking the time to get to know the Canada Post Delivery Service Officer (DSO) for the region where your client’s building will be erected. The Delivery Service Officer is your link to Canada Post who can provide specific advice, requirements and approval on your mail service designs.
What are the delivery options for single family housing and townhouse developments?
- Community mailboxes (CMB) which are provided by Canada Post
The CMBs should be situated in a convenient and central location, close to individual residences, and be wheelchair accessible. Contact your local area DSO to discuss site placement, space requirements, etc.
Only the Delivery Service Officer can approve CMB locations.
Are there any CMB location guidelines I should consider before reaching out to my Delivery Service Officer?
- CMBs should be located a minimum of nine meters from intersection corners so as not to hamper driver visibility. Sites are not installed at major intersections
- CMBs on private property should be near the main entrance
- If CMBs are behind a locked gate, standard Canada Post access is required
What are the delivery options for buildings with a common indoor area?
- For apartment buildings with 100 or more units, a rear-loading mailroom is mandatory
- Apartment buildings with less than 100 units may opt for a front loading lockbox assembly
What if I’m designing an office complex or retail centre?
The delivery service options available for office complexes and retail centres are:
- Front-loading lockbox assembly
- Rear-loading mailroom
Note: For office complexes and retail centres with 100 or more units, a mailroom must be installed.
Guideline: Plan one “C” size (14 cm x 30.5 cm) compartment for every 230 m2 of leasable space including one “D” size (30.5 cm x 30.5 cm) compartment for every 10 units of leasable space.
What should I keep in mind in designing a mailroom?
- Mandatory for a building with 100 or more units
- Must be a rear loading lock box assembly
- Located adjacent to the main entrance of the building and readily accessible to delivery personnel
- Only one lockbox assembly per building.
- Consists of boxes that are accessed from inside a secure enclosed mailroom located directly behind the assembly
- The boxes form part of the wall with the front facing the building lobby to provide customer access; the rear of the assembly faces the mailroom where delivery personnel deposit mail into the open backs of the boxes.
- Must be of sufficient size to allow a minimum working space of 100 cm in width along the length of the group lockbox system.
- Must have an access door equipped with a high security deadbolt lock purchased from your local authorized dealer; consult your Delivery Planner for compatible deadbolts
- Boxes must be numbered sequentially low to high. Lockbox sequencing guidelines are found in the Delivery Planning Standards Manual
- Mailrooms must comply with Canada Post requirements
Note on Accessible Units: any municipal bylaw stipulating height restrictions for accessible units does not override mandatory numerical sequencing of the mailbox. Both criteria must be met. This may result in un-used compartments or adjusting the size and configuration of your lockbox assembly. Developments with accessible units must be clearly identified when reviewing mail plans with your Delivery Service Officer.
Is there anything specific I should know about the construction of mailroom access doors?
Yes. Mailroom access doors must allow:
- A minimum height of 203 cm throughout, without obstructions that may impede the work of delivery personnel (for example, suspended ventilation ducts, pipes above the floor and pipes and ducts running along the walls, pipes in front of the mailboxes, hot pipes or ducts);
- A minimum width of 81 cm;
- Have a solid core; tempered glass should be a minimum of 6 mm thick with a safety film or wires.
The door to the mailroom must be secured with a deadbolt lock. Canada Post will supply a deadbolt key-cylinder that will be inserted into the deadbolt. Access to the mailroom is restricted to Canada Post personnel. Your Delivery Planner must review the plan for the mailroom.
Is there any other way to provide lockbox access to delivery personnel?
Standard Access to the lobby of a building is by a Canada Post lock installed in the front face of the enter phone.
Additional options/requirements are:
- Mailroom door with deadbolt (e.g. rear-loading)
- Exterior wall door to access rear-loading mailroom
Private access keys/cards/fobs are not an option.
How do I contact my Canada Post Delivery Planning Officer?
The Delivery Planners are committed to providing timely, quality service to the AIBC. The following is a list of Planners and their assigned areas, please specify any looming deadlines and they will work with your schedules when possible.
North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Sea to Sky, Quesnel, Prince George:
Henrietta Veenstra, henrietta.veenstra@canadapost.postescanada.ca
Vancouver:
Aydan Wilson, aydan.wilson@canadapost.postescanada.ca
Burnaby, New Westminster, Langley, Whitehorse:
Arif Jamal, arif.jamal@canadapost.postescanada.ca
Kamloops:
Mike Taks, mike.taks@canadapost.postescanada.ca
Surrey, Delta:
Suki Khella, sukhbinder.khella@canadapost.postescanada.ca
Richmond, Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows:
Paul Favaro, paul.favaro@canadapost.postescanada.ca
Port Moody, Port Coquitlam, Coquitlam:
Gavin Watts, gavin.watts@canadapost.postescanada.ca
Fraser Valley, Williams Lake, Cariboo Chilcotin:
Adam O’Sullivan, adam.osullivan@canadapost.postescanada.ca
For other areas: include the city and your email will be forwarded accordingly
Jackie Bailey (Manager), jackie.bailey@canadapost.postescanada.ca
These guidelines are not exhaustive, every development will have its unique attributes which will necessitate informed input from your Delivery Service Officer, Canada Post encourages you to contact them during your planning phase and prior to receiving your permit approval from the Municipality, so that all stakeholders may have the opportunity to review and approve mail delivery plans.