# 47 C.F.R. § 73.609 (2026): Zones

> Federal · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T47_P73_S73_609

## Section

- **Citation:** 47 C.F.R. § 73.609 (2026)
- **Heading:** Zones
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Title 47 CFR: Telecommunication / Chapter I: FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION / Part 73: RADIO BROADCAST SERVICES / Subpart E: Television Broadcast Stations / § 73.609: § 73.609   Zones.

## Text

(a) For the purpose of allotment and assignment, the United States is divided into three zones as follows:
(1) Zone I consists of that portion of the United States located within the confines of the following lines drawn on the U.S. Albers Equal Area Projection Map (based on standard parallels 29
1/2
° and 45
1/2
°; North American datum): Beginning at the most easterly point on the State boundary line between North Carolina and Virginia; thence in a straight line to a point on the Virginia-West Virginia boundary line located at north latitude 37°49′ and west longitude 80°12′30″; thence westerly along the southern boundary lines of the States of West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois to a point at the junction of the Illinois, Kentucky, and Missouri State boundary lines; thence northerly along the western boundary line of the State of Illinois to a point at the junction of the Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin State boundary lines; thence easterly along the northern State boundary line of Illinois to the 90th meridian; thence north along this meridian to the 43.5° parallel; thence east along this parallel to the United States-Canada border; thence southerly and following that border until it again intersects the 43.5° parallel; thence east along this parallel to the 71st meridian; thence in a straight line to the intersection of the 69th meridian and the 45th parallel; thence east along the 45th parallel to the Atlantic Ocean. When any of the above lines pass through a city, the city shall be considered to be located in Zone I. (See Figure 1 of § 73.699.)
(2) Zone II consists of that portion of the United States which is not located in either Zone I or Zone III, and Puerto Rico, Alaska, Hawaiian Islands and the Virgin Islands.
9th meridian and the 45th parallel; thence east along the 45th parallel to the Atlantic Ocean. When any of the above lines pass through a city, the city shall be considered to be located in Zone I. (See Figure 1 of § 73.699.)
(2) Zone II consists of that portion of the United States which is not located in either Zone I or Zone III, and Puerto Rico, Alaska, Hawaiian Islands and the Virgin Islands.
(3) Zone III consists of that portion of the United States located south of a line, drawn on the United States Albers Equal Area Projection Map (based on standard parallels 29.50 and 45.50 North American datum), beginning at a point on the east coast of Georgia and the 31st parallel and ending at the United States-Mexican border, consisting of arcs drawn with a 241.4 kilometer (150 mile) radius to the north from the following specified points:
North latitude
West longitude
(a)
29°40′00″
83°24′00″
(b)
30°07′00″
84°12′00″
(c)
30°31′00″
86°30′00″
(d)
30°48′00″
87°58′30″
(e)
30°00′00″
90°38′30″
(f)
30°04′30″
93°19′00″
(g)
29°46′00″
95°05′00″
(h)
28°43′00″
96°39′30″
(i)
27°52′30″
97°32′00″
When any of the above arcs pass through a city, the city shall be considered to be located in Zone II. (See Figure 2 of § 73.699.)
[28 FR 13660, Dec. 14, 1963, as amended at 33 FR 15422, Oct. 17, 1968; 50 FR 23697, June 5, 1985; 51 FR 44070, Dec. 8, 1986]

## Nearby sections

- [47 C.F.R. § 73.601 (2026) § 73.601   Scope of subpart.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T47_P73_S73_601.md)
- [47 C.F.R. § 73.602 (2026) § 73.602   Cross reference to rules in other parts.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T47_P73_S73_602.md)
- [47 C.F.R. § 73.603 (2026) § 73.603   Numerical designation of television channels.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T47_P73_S73_603.md)
- [47 C.F.R. § 73.606 (2026) § 73.606   Table of allotments.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T47_P73_S73_606.md)
- [47 C.F.R. § 73.609 (2026) § 73.609   Zones.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T47_P73_S73_609.md)
- [47 C.F.R. § 73.611 (2026) § 73.611   Emission levels and mask filter.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T47_P73_S73_611.md)
- [47 C.F.R. § 73.612 (2026) § 73.612   Protection from interference.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T47_P73_S73_612.md)
- [47 C.F.R. § 73.614 (2026) § 73.614   Power and antenna height requirements.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T47_P73_S73_614.md)
- [47 C.F.R. § 73.616 (2026) § 73.616   References to TV station interference protection methodology.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T47_P73_S73_616.md)
- [47 C.F.R. § 73.617 (2026) § 73.617   Interference protection of other services.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T47_P73_S73_617.md)
- [47 C.F.R. § 73.618 (2026) § 73.618   Antenna location and principal community coverage.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T47_P73_S73_618.md)
- [47 C.F.R. § 73.619 (2026) § 73.619   Contours and service areas.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T47_P73_S73_619.md)
- [47 C.F.R. § 73.620 (2026) § 73.620   Interference calculation and protection of TV broadcast services.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T47_P73_S73_620.md)
- [47 C.F.R. § 73.621 (2026) § 73.621   Noncommercial educational TV stations.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T47_P73_S73_621.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T47_P73_S73_609. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.