Mailboxes and Posts

Overview

Many residents feel that the consistent look of the mailboxes and mailbox posts in Lake Forest adds "curb appeal" and helps to differentiate our neighborhood from other nearby subdivisions that do not have a uniform standard.  The Lake Forest Deed Restrictions and Protective Covenants require uniformity in mailboxes and mailbox posts.  Section 7 reads as follows:

Mailboxes and posts with newspaper receptacles attached to the post below the mailbox shall be uniform in size and color and shall be maintained by the lot owner in the present location of the mailbox.

This covenant has generated a number of questions over the years, and the answers don't fit well within the FAQ.  If you can't find the answer to your question on this page, please contact Gerry Auth, the point person in Lake Forest for mailbox and post information.  Gerry can be reached at 930-0339 or gerryauth@gmail.com.

Mailbox Posts

The homeowner is responsible for maintaining the mailbox post. The Lake Forest Deed Restrictions and Protective Covenants do not allow one to change the location of the post, and the shape, size, and color of the post must be uniform.

Mailbox Post Replacement

For full-service mailbox post replacement or repair, please contact Jay Hendricks, owner of Mailboxes by Bob.  Jay has replaced 40 mailbox posts in Lake Forest and knows our requirements. You can reach Jay at 248-496-4990 or jay@mailboxesbybob.com.

If you want to replace your mailbox post yourself or use another contractor, please download our comprehensive guide. Our new "DIY Mailbox Post and Mailbox Replacement Guide" features instructions, resources, and pointers to all the materials needed to ensure your new post and mailbox meet neighborhood standards.

Colors

The official LFLOA board-approved colors for the mailbox posts are Benjamin Moore Arborcoat Solid Color Stain in the following colors:

As of October 2022, these products are available at Anderson Paint Company.

For anyone wishing to paint their mailbox post, the Board has purchased a small quantity of the required paint. Please contact Gerry Auth to request the paint.

Lake Forest Logo Plaque

The LFLOA provides a free screw-mounted metal plaque, which includes the blue and green Lake Forest logo. This plaque attaches to the top of the main post with two screws. Please contact Gerry Auth to obtain a plaque and the screws. He will also install it free of charge. 

Weed Whip Protectors

Installing a protective metal band around the base of the main post is recommended to protect it from damage from weed whips or string trimmers. Eventually, excessive damage to the base of the wooden post from weed whips or string trimmers will cause the post to break off, requiring expensive total post replacement.  

Mailboxes

The mailbox is the responsibility of the homeowner and must be black with the following dimensions: 8.5" wide, 11" tall, 21" deep.

These mailboxes can be purchased from the following retail stores:

As part of the mailbox post replacement/refurbishment project that began in the summer of 2021, many residents now have a Fulton Large Post Mount mailbox.

A similar but less expensive option is the Carlton Post-Mount T2 Large mailbox available at Home Depot.

Newspaper Tubes

For a free newspaper tube and bracket plus free installation, please contact Gerry Auth. Even if you do not subscribe to a newspaper, it is still important to have a newspaper receptacle attached to your mailbox post to maintain our required uniform look.

Getting Help

Please reach out to Gerry Auth for any questions.