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Clothlines are coming back!

Started by RichardP13 • 26 replies • 2158 views

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RichardP13 (California)
Posts: 163
Posted:
Under a new bill being considered in Sacramento, clothlines would be included as part of the "solar energy systems" which would prohibit the restriction on their use.

Just when you thought they were gone, they're baaaaaack!
SheliaH (Indiana)
Posts: 6,964
Posted:
I don't have a huge issue with clotheslines - our community rules state they can't extend past the patio area and homeowners must take up the laundry and take down the clothesline at the end of the day. We also prohibit laundry from being hung on patio fences (yep, people do that sort of thing). Most people don't have them because the patios are small (one family was notorious for this, but I think some of the laundry blew away and that took care of that!)

If it is not right do not do it; if it is not true do not say it. Marcus Aurelius
BruceF1 (Connecticut)
Posts: 2,535
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By RichardP13 on 04/15/2015 8:47 AM
Under a new bill being considered in Sacramento, clothlines would be included as part of the "solar energy systems" which would prohibit the restriction on their use.

Just when you thought they were gone, they're baaaaaack!

Connecticut tried to pass such a law several years ago (the "right to dry" bill). It failed.

Although the Connecticut proposed law prohibited associations from outright banning of clotheslines, associations would be able to regulate their types and use. We considered several options at the time.

Perhaps the proposed California law would still permit some sort of regulation by the association.

Fortunately, the CT law never passed, so we didn't have to worry about it.
BanksS
Posts: 403
Posted:
Just checking Richard. Are you opposed to clotheslines? I guess it's a matter of personal taste vs. saving energy costs.

I remember when my mother washed clothes with a wringer washing machine. She had the machine and 2 rinse tubs. She used a stick to pull the clothes out of the machine and put them in the wringer. She always hung the clothes on a line though. No unmentionables hanging out the window. She also put her ironing in a large bag in the refrigerator. Ahhh nostalgia.

Laundry was obviously a big chore back then. I like a clothesline as I have one myself but I will take modern technology for the rest.
RichardP13 (California)
Posts: 163
Posted:
ot against them, but they have been banned from HOA's for sometime now.
NpS (Pennsylvania)
Posts: 4,216
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By BanksS on 04/15/2015 11:28 AM
She also put her ironing in a large bag in the refrigerator.


And the benefit of doing this was ...?
Sikubali jukumu. Read all posts at your own risk.
BanksS
Posts: 403
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By NpS on 04/15/2015 2:01 PM
Posted By BanksS on 04/15/2015 11:28 AM
She also put her ironing in a large bag in the refrigerator.


And the benefit of doing this was ...?

She sprinkled the clothes with water first, then put them in a bag, then into the refrigerator. Back then most clothes were made of 100% cotton so I suppose it made them easier to iron.
LarryB13 (Arizona)
Posts: 4,099
Posted:
Just because clothes lines can come back does not mean they will. Dry clothes on a line is a labor-intensive time-consuming task that few will want to do on a regular basis. Where I live there are no prohibitions against clothes lines but no one in may area uses one.

JohnC46 (South Carolina)
Posts: 14,265
Posted:
Fortunately this is another bullet my HOA can dodge. Our standalone, patio homes each have a small backyard (24ft wide by 20ft deep, average) with a 6ft privacy fence surrounding each. One can pretty well do what they want inside their fence as long as what they do does not exceed the height of the fence. Thus one could have a clothesline(s) though I have never seen any.
BanksS
Posts: 403
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By LarryB13 on 04/15/2015 2:44 PM
Just because clothes lines can come back does not mean they will. Dry clothes on a line is a labor-intensive time-consuming task that few will want to do on a regular basis. Where I live there are no prohibitions against clothes lines but no one in may area uses one.


Yes it is labor intensive but I sure like how the clothes are so fresh especially the sheets. And oh those towels feel just like sandpaper. It's a natural skin exfoliation method. lol

EW4 (West Virginia)
Posts: 95
Posted:
My community allows them on some lots but not others. No real logic as to why. Those that can have them are very restricted in type.
NpS (Pennsylvania)
Posts: 4,216
Posted:
Thanks Banks.

We allow clotheslines if the clothespins meet our color specs.
Sikubali jukumu. Read all posts at your own risk.
DouglasK1 (Florida)
Posts: 2,046
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By NpS on 04/15/2015 2:01 PM
Posted By BanksS on 04/15/2015 11:28 AM
She also put her ironing in a large bag in the refrigerator.


And the benefit of doing this was ...?

Probably to keep them from mildewing before she had a chance to iron them.
Escaped former treasurer and director of a self managed association.
NpS (Pennsylvania)
Posts: 4,216
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By DouglasK1 on 04/16/2015 7:45 AM
Posted By NpS on 04/15/2015 2:01 PM
Posted By BanksS on 04/15/2015 11:28 AM
She also put her ironing in a large bag in the refrigerator.


And the benefit of doing this was ...?


Probably to keep them from mildewing before she had a chance to iron them.


Ahh. Makes sense. Thx Douglas.
Sikubali jukumu. Read all posts at your own risk.
JohnB26 (South Carolina)
Posts: 1,001
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By NpS on 04/16/2015 1:13 AM
Thanks Banks.

We allow clotheslines if the clothespins meet our color specs.

Lemon yellow ?

Lime green ?

I GOT IT ~ FLAMINGO PINK
BruceS3 (Florida)
Posts: 33
Posted:
I pretty much favor blue.
BanksS
Posts: 403
Posted:
Do you all prefer the wooden clothespins or the plastic ones? How about the spring type or the wooden slide on type? I am really struggling with finding the right clothespins. The springs break so easy on the spring type. Any thoughts?
JohnB26 (South Carolina)
Posts: 1,001
Posted:
Clothlines are coming back!


So are rotary dial telephones.

Same users.
AmandaR2 (South Carolina)
Posts: 566
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By JohnB26 on 04/19/2015 12:17 PM
Clothlines are coming back!


So are rotary dial telephones.

Same users.

It's you that needs to get with the program JohnB. It's about the environment and even here in South Carolina, Kiawah Island was at the forefront of Community Associations Environmental protection efforts. Also 19 states as of 2013 do not allow bans on clotheslines and the "right to dry" is covered in other states by other "green" effort laws.

If I were to use a clothesline I could place it within my backyard where it would not be visible to anyone but me (I might just install one soon). My CC&Rs do have that "clothesline rule", however we (my association) would allow them as long as they have appropriate plants screening them so they are not visible from the street or any other neighbors viewpoint.
JohnB26 (South Carolina)
Posts: 1,001
Posted:
... however we (my association) would allow them as long as they have appropriate plants screening them so they are not visible from the street or any other neighbors viewpoint...


It is NOT 'would allow them' but

WHAT IS WRITTEN UNDER THE RESTRICTIONS ARTICLE IN YOUR COVENANTS.

Unless specifically allowed by superseding State Law the Covenants would either:

restrict

or

be Silent = not restrict = allow.

There is no 'thinking' involved, merely law and/or contract issues.
AmandaR2 (South Carolina)
Posts: 566
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By JohnB26 on 04/19/2015 3:17 PM
... however we (my association) would allow them as long as they have appropriate plants screening them so they are not visible from the street or any other neighbors viewpoint...


It is NOT 'would allow them' but

WHAT IS WRITTEN UNDER THE RESTRICTIONS ARTICLE IN YOUR COVENANTS.

Unless specifically allowed by superseding State Law the Covenants would either:

restrict

or

be Silent = not restrict = allow.

There is no 'thinking' involved, merely law and/or contract issues.

NOPE

We "would allow them" even though our CC&Rs state they are not allowed. WE as a community have a casual approach and have discussed this particular issue, and WE don't really care if someone has a clothesline in their own backyard as long as it's not visible to any surrounding neighbor.
JohnC46 (South Carolina)
Posts: 14,265
Posted:
Amanda

The "we" would allow them even though the Covenants say no, is rather cavalier especially since all it takes is one "ahole" suing to enforce the Covenants. Their battle cry will be...the Covenants say...

AmandaR2 (South Carolina)
Posts: 566
Posted:
JohnC,
I do realize that. I'd be willing to bet it will never happen in reality. (But I know JohnB likes to nit pick )
KerryL1 (California)
Posts: 14,550
Posted:
Say, Richard, does the bill say anything about multi-story buildings like high rises? Or is it still pretty vague?
RichardP13 (California)
Posts: 163
Posted:
In the not too distance future you might be able to observe your neighbor's underwear hanging next to your unit while you and your friends are drinking a next Merlot on your balcony.
MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836
Posted:
I used to like hanging my clothes on clotheslines to dry. We did live on a 22 acre farm so no big deal. Plus it was a looong way to a laundry mat...However, I now discovered that it's NOT the visual issue with them but the contaminates issues. Outside air is NOT that clean. Here in the south, we have a HUGE pollen issue. It covers EVERYTHING in a yucky yellow film. This gets on your clothes if hung outside. So if you have allergies outside drying is not recommended.

I have nothing against a HOA allowing clotheslines. It's not going to effect someone's home value if you have one or not. To each their own... but hope they shop at Victoria's...
Former HOA President
AmandaR2 (South Carolina)
Posts: 566
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By MelissaP1 on 04/19/2015 9:00 PM
I used to like hanging my clothes on clotheslines to dry. We did live on a 22 acre farm so no big deal. Plus it was a looong way to a laundry mat...However, I now discovered that it's NOT the visual issue with them but the contaminates issues. Outside air is NOT that clean. Here in the south, we have a HUGE pollen issue. It covers EVERYTHING in a yucky yellow film. This gets on your clothes if hung outside. So if you have allergies outside drying is not recommended.

I have nothing against a HOA allowing clotheslines. It's not going to effect someone's home value if you have one or not. To each their own... but hope they shop at Victoria's...

Ugh! your right about the pollen thing here in the South.

p.s. Let's pray Kerry doesn't have to look at clotheslines while living in her high rise building, bless her heart.

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