New York State Law on Satellite Antennas

Federal law, rather than New York state law, governs satellite dishes and antennas. The federal Telecommunications Act of 1996 restricts the placement of unreasonable restrictions on the installation, maintenance or use of satellite dishes and antennas. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulates the rule.

Rule

The rule applies to state and local laws, private covenants, homeowners' associations, condominium rules, leases and building regulations. A restriction is prohibited if it causes an unreasonable delay or prevents the use of a satellite or antenna, causes an unreasonable increase in the cost or prevents a person from receiving a quality signal from a covered device.

Devices

The rule applies to certain devices, including a dish antenna less than one meter in diameter (39.37 inches), television antennas and wireless antenna. The rule does not apply to AM/FM antennas and citizen's band (CB) antennas.

Rentals

The law applies to rental property. A tenant can install an antenna inside or outside a rental unit as long as the installation area is part of the tenant's space or within the exclusive control of the tenant. A landlord may implement reasonable restrictions and restrictions for historic preservation.

References

• Federal Communication Commission: Over-the-Air Reception Devices Rule
• "New York Tenants' Rights"; Mary Ann Hallenborg; 2002