Can you get Starlink in an apartment? Sky view and your landlord

The dish needs a clear view of the sky

Starlink's US help page on where to install, checked November 2026, says "Starlink works best with a clear view of the sky. A partial view is often enough." That page, Where should I install my Starlink?, also says: "A wall mount is fine when the dish sits above the wall and the field of view stays clear. Do not place the dish beside a wall or under a cover that blocks the sky."

On obstructions, Starlink's help page How do I check for obstructions before installing Starlink?, checked November 2026, says "Starlink needs a clear view of the sky so it can stay connected as satellites move overhead. A tree branch, pole, or roof may cause a service interruption." Its page How do obstructions affect my Starlink connection?, checked November 2026, says "Trees, buildings, and other obstacles can temporarily block the connection to a given satellite." and "An obstruction that stays in the field of view can still cause intermittent outages, dropped packets, and lower speeds."

Starlink's US Terms of Service, in the version published August 2026, open their "Kit Install Guidelines" with where the kit goes: "You are responsible for the installation of the Starlink Kit in a location that has a clear field of view of the sky, per the Starlink App and the Install Guide available in the Starlink Customer Portal."

Starlink's Specifications, in the version published March 2026, say "Various circumstances may affect the performance of Starlink Kits and Services, including, but not limited to:" and name among them "(b) installation environment; (c) angle and/or field of view of the dish".

Indoors, or behind a window

None of the Starlink US help pages that 14 searches returned in November 2026 says whether the dish can be placed indoors or behind a window at home. The searches, on Starlink's US help center, were for apartment, condo, renter, landlord, HOA, balcony, indoors, inside, window, glass, attic, obstruction, clear view and field of view.

Starlink's Limited Warranty, in the version published October 2026, opens its list under "What Is Excluded from Limited Warranty" with "Starlink is not responsible for damage to the Starlink Kit after delivery or for Kit or Service malfunctions or underperformance resulting from:" and puts first "failure to follow instructions, including by obstructing the Starlink Kit’s field of view of the sky or covering the antenna with a radome". What installation can do to the warranty is on the installation page.

Under "Kit Install Guidelines", the Terms of Service say "You shall not modify the Starlink Kit in a manner (including cosmetic/paint changes) that contradicts the Install Guide or would otherwise alter the transmission characteristics of the equipment, including placing the antenna under a cover/radome, unless approved by Starlink."

Your lease, your landlord and association rules

Starlink's US Terms of Service, in the version published August 2026, make "lease obligations and landlord/owner approvals" for the installation your responsibility, under "Kit Install Authorizations". The clause in full: "It is your responsibility to ensure compliance with all applicable building codes, zoning, ordinances, business district or association rules, covenants, conditions, restrictions, lease obligations and landlord/owner approvals and requirements for the installation of the Starlink Kit, to pay any associated fees or other charges, and to obtain any permits and other authorizations necessary for the Services and the installation of the Starlink Kit."

The terms' "Kit Install Guidelines" add a line on changes to your property: "Should use of the Services require any construction or alteration to your property, Starlink is not obliged to reimburse any expenses or restore your property to the same physical state as prior to delivery of Services."

Permits and the warranty's line on permissions are on the installation page. The FCC's page on its antenna rule, and the rule's own text, are quoted below.

The FCC's antenna rule, in the FCC's words

The FCC's page Over-the-Air Reception Devices Rule, updated November 2025, says "Antennas designed to receive and/or transmit data services, including Internet access, are included in the rule." It says what the rule does: "The rule prohibits restrictions that impair the installation, maintenance or use of antennas used to receive video programming and certain antennas used to receive or transmit fixed wireless signals." Under "What types of antennas are covered by the rule?", the first type it lists is:

(1) A "dish" antenna that is one meter (39.37") or less in diameter [...] and is designed to receive direct broadcast satellite service, including direct-to-home satellite service, or to receive or transmit fixed wireless signals via satellite, including a hub or relay antenna used to receive or transmit fixed wireless services that are not classified as telecommunications services.

Under its question on radiofrequency (RF) exposure from antennas that can transmit, the page says "as a condition of invoking protection under the rule from government, landlord, and association restrictions, a provider of fixed wireless service must ensure that customer-end antennas are labeled to give notice of potential RF safety hazards posed by these antennas." The same answer says "However, local governments, associations, and property owners may require professional installation for transmitting antennas based on the safety exception to the rule."

On who and where, the same page says the FCC amended the rule so that it "applies to rental property where the renter has an exclusive use area, such as a balcony or patio." It says "The rule applies to individuals who place antennas that meet size limitations on property that they own or rent and that is within their exclusive use or control, including condominium owners and cooperative owners, and tenants who have an area where they have exclusive use, such as a balcony or patio, in which to install the antenna." Answering "Does the rule apply to residents of rental property?", it says "renters may install antennas within their leasehold, which means inside the dwelling or on outdoor areas that are part of the tenant's leased space and which are under the exclusive use or control of the tenant. Typically, for apartments, these areas include balconies, balcony railings, and terraces." It adds "The rule does not apply to common areas, such as the roof or the exterior walls of an apartment building. Generally, balconies or patios that are shared with other people or are accessible from other units are not considered to be exclusive use areas." It also says "An antenna that extends out beyond the balcony or patio is usually considered to be in a common area that is not within the scope of the rule." Under "Are there restrictions that can be placed on residents of rental property?", it says "A restriction necessary to prevent damage to leased property may be reasonable. For example, tenants could be prohibited from drilling holes through exterior walls or through the roof."

The FCC's page says "This Information Sheet provides general answers to questions concerning implementation of the rule, but is not a substitute for the actual rule." The rule's own text, 47 CFR 1.4000 in the October 2025 edition of title 47 of the Code of Federal Regulations, reads in part:

(a)(1) Any restriction, including but not limited to any state or local law or regulation, including zoning, land-use, or building regulations, or any private covenant, contract provision, lease provision, homeowners' association rule or similar restriction, on property within the exclusive use or control of the antenna user where the user has a direct or indirect ownership or leasehold interest in the property that impairs the installation, maintenance, or use of:

(i) An antenna that is:

(A) Used to receive direct broadcast satellite service, including direct-to-home satellite service, or to receive or transmit fixed wireless signals via satellite, including a hub or relay antenna used to receive or transmit fixed wireless services that are not classified as telecommunications services, and

(B) One meter or less in diameter [...];

[...] is prohibited to the extent it so impairs, subject to paragraph (b) of this section.

[...]

(b) Any restriction otherwise prohibited by paragraph (a) of this section is permitted if:

Paragraph (b)'s first two items concern a safety objective and historic preservation, each with conditions of its own.

For questions, the page gives the FCC's numbers: "For further information or a copy of the rule, contact the Federal Communications Commission at 1-888-CALL FCC (1-888-225-5322), which is a toll-free number, or 202-418-2120." On disputes it says "If a person believes a restriction is preempted, but the local government, community association, or landlord disagrees, either the person or the restricting entity may file a Petition for Declaratory Ruling with the FCC or a court of competent jurisdiction." It also says "General or hypothetical questions about the application or interpretation of the rule cannot be accepted as petitions." The FCC's page gives the addresses for filing a petition.

An apartment as your service address

Starlink's US help page on plan changes, checked November 2026, says "Residential service is tied to the registered service address". That page is Service Plan Changes. Starlink's help page How do I change my service address?, checked November 2026, says "Starlink service is only guaranteed at the service address listed on your account."

What Starlink's help pages say about a location at capacity is on the sold-out page.

Who installs it

Who can install Starlink for you, and what Starlink's US help center, checked November 2026, says a professional installation includes, is on the installation page.

What this page doesn't cover

• Any place, building or association, and any state or local law.
• Lease or legal advice.
• Whether a given balcony, patio, roof or wall falls under the FCC's rule.
• Whether Starlink's kit is an antenna the rule covers, meets its size limit or carries the RF label.
• The rest of the rule's text, which the GovInfo copy linked above carries.
• Mounting steps and mounts to buy.
• The Starlink Mini.
• Other countries.