Clothesline policy sample

EdB3,

Twice our legislature attempted to pass a "right to dry" law and twice it failed. When talking to various homeowners in the community I discovered there were sharp divisions between those who wanted to be able to dry their clothes outside, and those who didn't want to see clothes hanging out in the yard. Personally, I can see both points of view. When I was growing up, drying clothes outside was what you did. It didn't cost anything, the clothes smelled fresher (I don't care what you put in your dryer to try to achieve the same result; it doesn't even come close), and the whites came out whiter because of the bleaching action of the sun (and the dryer yellows some whites). I also remember the clothes coming in stiff as a board in the winter.

To prepare for the possibility that the proposed legislation might pass, our board considered how to regulate the clotheslines, especially since homes are clustered and 2 to 4 homes might share a back yard.

We considered restricting clotheslines to the back yards, restricting hours, restricting days (Monday is washday?), etc. We also considered restricting clotheslines to a type that can be easily set up and taken down when not needed, such as one that rolls up against the side of the house, or one that can be inserted into the ground and collapsed and removed when not in use. We aso considered having the ARC committee coming up with regulations specifying the brands and models that could be used. Since the yards are limited common elements, we also considered having the association purchasing collapsible clotheslines and those would be the only ones that could be used.

Just some thoughts.

Clotheslines may only be installed in the rear yard behind the lot. They cannot be closer than 15 feet to the side street line on corner lots. They must be retractable, collapsible, or an umbrella- type displayed only when in use, and used for the shortest possible time to dry the clothes.

Thank you all, everyone helped. And LOL JamesB - great note, while funny I also appreciate your point. I made the text pretty simple - essentially just in the back yard, 15' from the side on corner lots, and kept in working order. I kept away from materials used or retractable/not retractable or hours of use etc., because that fits in with our 'green' neighborhood (no sidewalks or curbs, the developer kept almost all the trees, water management is done by swales, etc.). But Maryland State law Senate Bill 244 requires we have an open meeting for comment prior to adoption. Should be interesting.

Thank you all again, I really do appreciate it.