At first stage all participants were divided in 9 groups by geographical principle across the whole Soviet Union.
Winners of each group in the final stage received promotion to the 1990 Soviet First League.
In addition to that the league was expected to be reduced to only three groups next season while worse teams would be relegated to the newly revived IV tier.
The Zone Finals lasted from October 26 to November 13.
The competition took place in Maykop in October before the Zone Finals.