OTARD Rules
The Over-the-Air Reception Devices (OTARD) Rule was created by the United States Congress to promote a fair and competitive marketplace by promoting customer choice for communications vendors. Most residences are limited to one or two vendors for internet and/or television access.
The OTARD rule (47 C.F.R. Section 1.4000) has been in effect since October 1996. Its purpose is to prohibit governmental and private restrictions the ability to impair antenna users from installing, maintaining, or using over-the-air reception devices.
The OTARD Rule Covers:
A "dish" antenna that is one meter (39.37") or less in diameter including direct-to-home satellite dishes, TV antennas, wireless cable antennas and customer-end antennas that receive and transmit fixed wireless signals.
The OTARD Rule applies if the restriction:
- Unreasonably delays or prevents installation, maintenance or use
- Unreasonably increases the cost of installation, maintenance or use
- Precludes a person from receiving or transmitting an acceptable quality signal from an antenna covered under the Rule
The OTARD Rule applies to state and local laws, and community association rules, including:
- Zoning
- Private covenants
- Condominium or cooperative association restrictions
- Exclusive use spaces like a balcony, terrace, deck, yards, gardens, or patio
- Apartment buildings
- Lease restrictions
- Homeowners' association rules
- Land-use or building regulation
For more information, visit the FCC's Consumer Website or contact the FCC's Consumer Center by calling 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322).
Example Installations
