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Naples updates right-of-way agreement for monumental mailboxes, city to review mailbox code
Summary
City attorney revised the right-of-way use agreement for mailboxes and council approved adding the updated agreement to the permitting packet; staff will return with proposed code amendments to regulate "monumental" mailboxes and align right-of-way rules with infrastructure needs.
Naples City Council on Feb. 5 approved using a revised right-of-way use agreement for private monumental mailboxes placed in the public right of way and directed staff to draft ordinance updates to the city's mailbox code.
City Attorney Matthew McConnell told council that the new agreement replaces an older two-page hold-harmless form and gives the city clearer contractual protections: property owners seeking to place decorative or "monumental" mailboxes in the right of way would sign a permit-specific right-of-way use agreement to accept liability, preserve the city's access to reach utilities, and accept responsibility for maintenance or relocation.
Allison Pickett, staff lead on right-of-way administration, said staff and council will also pursue amendments to Section 50-2-11 of the code so the city has objective size, setback and structural standards for large decorative mailboxes that are increasingly being asked for in remodels and new construction. Pickett said staff had reviewed other municipalities' approaches and suggested a pathway that would limit structural intrusion into the public clear zone, require stabilized pull-off areas where needed, and require owners to bring replacement structures into compliance if they are moved or damaged during city public-works work.
Council members stressed speed: several asked staff to return quickly with recommended code language and to consider the interaction of mailbox locations with upcoming infrastructure projects, outfall work and beach projects that will affect right-of-way use.
Council action: a motion to approve use of the city's updated right-of-way use agreement for mailboxes passed unanimously. Council also directed staff and the city attorney to draft proposed code amendments and administrative guidance for council review.
Ending: Council approved the revised permit agreement and asked staff to bring back a comprehensive code and right-of-way handbook update that addresses mailbox siting, safety and interaction with public infrastructure projects.
