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Sattelite dish in a condo

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bstacy1

Junior Member
What is the name of your state? Arizona

I live in an end unit, 2-story condo in Phoenix. My unit is both floors. I would like to obtain sattelite service due to horrible service by my cable provider (and no other option) but want to make sure that I understand the Sattelite Consumer Bill of Rights, passed in 1996. The portion of that bill that sattelite providers mentions on their websites is as follows:


This bill essentially stipulates that residential consumers have a right to install a satellite system on any residential establishment that they own, as long as it is entirely contained within their own, private residential area. This regulation preempts local zoning ordinances, such as Home Owner Association (HOA) covenants and restrictions regarding the installation and use of DBS dish antennas. This rule, among many others, was required by Congress in the Telecommunications Act.


My question(s) are:

Can anyone clarify exactly what "as long as it is entirely contained within their own, private residential area" means? Does this mean I could mount on a rooftop if I wanted to? What if the HOA handles roof maintenance? Does this mean that I could mount it on an outer wall? Do I even need to request permission from my HOA to do this given the verbiage I quoted above?

I have homeowners insurance and am fairly certain based on researching the providers in my area that I would be able to get a signal. I am considering asking a rep to come out to confirm but want to make sure that I am not going to have a huge fight on my hand with the HOA should I do this.
 


Some Random Guy

Senior Member
the roof is not your own private residential area. And depending on how your condo is set up, you may not own the outside walls either.

That's why a lot of condo owners mount their mini sat dishes on the railing of their balcony.
 

bstacy1

Junior Member
Thank you. If my HOA maintains our exterior balcony and back patio does that rule those out as well?
 

Shel77

Member
What do your CC&R's say about it?

We have a HOA in a single family home community that does not allow a dish larger than 15 inches so I am not sure what the post stating your rights to a dish but I would think your CC&R's should still have to be obeyed.
 

Some Random Guy

Senior Member
Ignore the CCRs

Actually, as the original poster was indicating, federal law regarding access to broadcast and satellite services means that the CCR's restricting mini sat dishes are unenforceable.

However, the OP only has rights to put up a dish on property that they own. We are trying to figure out what property OP owns. And judging by the latest post, they don't seem to own any part of the exterior except maybe the windows, which are mighty hard to mount a dish on.
 

zowiehowie

Junior Member
Some Random Guy said:
the roof is not your own private residential area. And depending on how your condo is set up, you may not own the outside walls either.

That's why a lot of condo owners mount their mini sat dishes on the railing of their balcony.

That is correct. One of my good friends has a condo, and he is responsible for everything inside the condo, but not the roof or walls. The HOA will take care of issues with the exterior walls or roof.

I'm in Florida, and I know my friend ended up mounting his satellite to the railing of his baclony.
 

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