How to Secure a Package Room in Your Apartment Building
Package theft is one of the top complaints in NYC multifamily buildings. Here is how property managers are solving it with cameras, access control, and smart intercoms -- without breaking the budget.
The most effective package room setup combines a controlled-access door (fob or keypad) with a camera covering the interior and a video intercom or smart lock that lets delivery carriers in without giving them building-wide access. This combination stops opportunistic theft and creates a complete audit trail if something does go missing.
Key Takeaways
- 1A camera alone does not stop theft -- it only documents it. Access control is what actually prevents unauthorized entry.
- 2Delivery carriers need a way in that does not require a resident to buzz them in every time. A dedicated delivery PIN or smart lock solves this.
- 3A camera inside the package room pointed at the shelving area is more useful than one pointed at the door.
- 4Package room access should be logged separately from the rest of the building so you can pull a report specific to that door.
- 5Most package room security upgrades for a 30 to 80 unit building cost between $2,500 and $6,000 installed.
Package theft is the number one complaint we hear from property managers in NYC multifamily buildings. A resident submits a ticket saying a package was stolen. You pull the lobby footage and see a delivery driver drop it in the hallway because there is no secure room. Or you have a package room but the door is propped open all day because residents find it inconvenient. Either way, the packages disappear and you get the call.
The good news is that this is a solved problem. Here is what actually works.
Why a Camera Alone Is Not Enough
Cameras document theft. They do not prevent it. A camera in the lobby or package room is useful evidence after the fact, but it does not stop someone who knows the room is unsecured or who props the door open while they take their time. You need physical access control to actually change the behavior.
That said, a camera inside the package room -- not pointed at the door, but pointed at the shelving -- is still worth having. It records what was delivered, when, and what was on the shelf when someone accessed the room. Combined with your access log, this creates a complete picture.
The Access Control Layer
The package room door should require a credential to open: a fob, a mobile app, or a PIN. Residents get their credential as part of the building setup. The door logs every entry event. If a package goes missing, you pull the log for that door and see exactly who was in the room and when.
The critical detail is keeping the package room on a separate door controller from the rest of the building. This lets you pull a package room report without combing through all the building traffic. Most cloud access control platforms make this easy.
Solving the Delivery Problem
The hardest part of package room security is letting delivery carriers in without giving them full building access. There are three approaches that work well in NYC buildings.
Option 1: Dedicated Delivery PIN
Set up a time-limited PIN at the package room reader specifically for delivery carriers. USPS, UPS, FedEx, and Amazon all have programs where they can use a secure delivery code to access package rooms. The PIN can be set to expire daily or weekly. This is the simplest and most cost-effective approach.
Option 2: Smart Lock With Carrier Integration
Some smart lock platforms -- including Latch and Amazon Key for Business -- integrate directly with carrier apps. The delivery driver gets a one-time code via their app when they arrive at your building. They open the package room, drop the delivery, and the lock records the entry. No building staff involvement needed.
Option 3: Video Intercom With Remote Unlock
A video intercom on the package room lets the building superintendent or property manager remotely verify a carrier and buzz them in without being on site. This works well for buildings with a super or management team monitoring a dashboard during business hours. It does not work after hours unless someone is watching.
What a Complete Package Room Setup Looks Like
For most 20 to 100 unit buildings, the right setup is: a fob or mobile-credential reader on the package room door tied to your existing access control system, a dedicated delivery PIN or smart lock for carrier access, and one camera inside the room covering the shelving area. This combination handles 95 percent of theft scenarios and gives you a complete audit trail for the rest.
If your building does not yet have an access control system, the package room is often the best place to start. It is a contained, high-impact upgrade that demonstrates the value of the system before you roll it out to the rest of the building.
Your Checklist
- Confirm the package room door frame can accommodate an electric strike or magnetic lock
- Choose a credential type for residents: fob, mobile app, or PIN
- Set up a delivery-only PIN or smart lock option for carriers
- Install a camera inside the room pointed at the package shelving, not just the door
- Connect the package room door to a separate controller or zone so access logs can be filtered by door
- Test the delivery access method with each major carrier before announcing it to residents
- Post clear instructions inside the package room about how deliveries should be organized
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Installing a camera but leaving the door unlocked
A camera without access control is documentation equipment, not security. If the room is unlocked, the camera only tells you who stole the package -- it does not stop them.
Giving delivery carriers building-wide access credentials
Some buildings add carriers to their main access list to solve the delivery problem. This gives a USPS driver access to every controlled door in the building, which creates a much larger security hole than the one you were trying to close.
Putting the camera at the door instead of at the shelving
A camera at the door tells you who entered. A camera at the shelving tells you what was on the shelf before and after each entry. For theft investigations, the interior view is far more useful.
Not telling residents how the new system works
Property managers install the system and expect residents to figure it out. Residents prop the door open because they do not understand it needs to be closed for the lock to engage. A one-page instruction sheet eliminates most post-installation friction.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to secure a package room in an apartment building?
For a basic setup with a reader, electric strike, and one interior camera, expect $2,500 to $4,500 installed. If you are adding a smart lock or video intercom, budget $4,000 to $6,500. Buildings that already have an access control system will pay less since the package room door can be added to the existing platform.
Can USPS, UPS, and FedEx all use the same delivery code?
Yes. A keypad reader at the package room door can have a shared delivery PIN that any carrier can use. You can also set different PINs per carrier if you want to track which carrier accessed the room. Most cloud access control platforms make this straightforward to set up and update.
Do I need a separate system for the package room, or can it connect to my existing access control?
In most cases, you can add the package room door to your existing access control system as another controlled door. This is the preferred approach -- one platform to manage everything, one set of credentials for residents, and centralized reporting across all doors.
What if my building does not have a dedicated package room?
Some buildings convert a storage closet, a corner of the lobby, or an unused mailroom area into a package room. If the space can be enclosed and has a door, it can be secured. PAX Security has helped several NYC buildings create package rooms from existing spaces as part of a broader security upgrade.
Package theft becoming a problem in your building?
PAX Security designs and installs package room security for multifamily buildings across New York and New Jersey. We handle the access control, camera, and carrier access setup so residents and delivery drivers both know exactly what to do.