USPS approves Sandy Springs mailing address update

Residents in Sandy Springs may soon see a change in how their mailing addresses appear. Instead of Atlanta, many pieces of mail delivered within the city will now list Sandy Springs.

The U.S. Postal Service approved the city’s request to update its Address Management System so Sandy Springs becomes the default city name for most ZIP codes inside the city limits. The change affects seven of the eight ZIP codes serving Sandy Springs.

The update does not include ZIP code 30092, which also covers parts of Peachtree Corners and Gwinnett County.

City leaders say the effort has been years in the making. Sandy Springs incorporated in 2005 and officials have been working with the postal service since then to have the city formally recognized on mailing addresses.

Not everyone believes the update will make a major difference. Resident Malik Deshawn said he still sees the area as closely tied to Atlanta.

“I don’t see Sandy Springs as separate from Atlanta like most people,” Deshawn said. “I see Sandy Springs as part of Atlanta as I do Fayetteville as I do any surrounding area.”

The change could also clear up tax confusion for some residents and businesses. Previous reporting by Rough Draft Atlanta suggested some people may have unknowingly paid Atlanta’s 8% sales tax instead of Sandy Springs’ 7% rate because their mailing address listed Atlanta.

In a statement, Mayor Rusty Paul said the update will help improve economic development, public safety and ensure proper sales tax allocation.

The mayor’s office said the postal service is now working to implement the change, though it could take several weeks before it fully takes effect. Residents may need to notify banks, businesses and other organizations that send them mail about the updated city name.