E1B11: What does PRB-1 require of state and local regulations affecting amat…

E1B11§ 97.15E1B →

What does PRB-1 require of state and local regulations affecting amateur radio antenna size and structures?

ANo limitations may be placed on antenna size or placement
BReasonable accommodations of amateur radio must be made
CSuch structures must be permitted when use for emergency communications can be demonstrated
DSuch structures must be permitted if certified by a registered professional engineer

Why PRB-1 is the FCC's 1985 limited preemption ruling, now reflected in 97.15(b): state and local zoning rules affecting amateur antenna structures must reasonably accommodate amateur service communications and represent the minimum practicable regulation needed to serve the locality's legitimate purpose (safety, aesthetics, etc.). It is a balancing test, not a blanket exemption, so towns may still regulate height, setbacks and appearance as long as ham operation is genuinely accommodated.

Watch out The choice saying no limitations at all may be placed goes far beyond PRB-1; local authorities retain real zoning power, they just cannot preclude effective amateur communication. Nothing in PRB-1 conditions approval on proving emergency use or on a professional engineer's certification, although a locality may require engineering documents for its own building code purposes.

PRB-1 = 'reasonable accommodation, minimum practicable regulation.' Not a free pass, just a fair shake.

HamSandwich explanation, first draft. The question and answers are the NCVEC text.

47 CFR 97.15 Station antenna structures.

(a) Owners of certain antenna structures more than 60.96 meters (200 feet) above ground level at the site or located near or at a public use airport must notify the Federal Aviation Administration and register with the Commission as required by part 17 of this chapter.

(b) Except as otherwise provided herein, a station antenna structure may be erected at heights and dimensions sufficient to accommodate amateur service communications. (State and local regulation of a station antenna structure must not preclude amateur service communications. Rather, it must reasonably accommodate such communications and must constitute the minimum practicable regulation to accomplish the state or local authority's legitimate purpose. See PRB-1, 101 FCC 2d 952 (1985) for details.)

eCFR text as of 1 Sep 2026 · read on ecfr.gov

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