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October 20, 2007
Clotheslines - Don't Get All Tied Up About Them
Clotheslines are becoming a big issue in HOAs. Most CC&Rs prohibit any kind of clotheslines in HOAs. Big surprise. Most developers assume that people to not want to look at laundry hanging on the line. Most attorneys assume that people do not want to look at laundry hanging on the line. Many boards assume that owners do not want to look at laundry hanging on the line. Many people assume that if clotheslines are allowed, the next thing will be clothes hanging over balconies, over fences, and everywhere. Laundry, laundry ..... everywhere.
There are those who are pushing to change this, in fact pushing for legislation to prohibit associations from having such restrictions. As the energy crunch continues, one can expect the supporters of clotheline options to keep pushing.
Here's a thought. In a planned development with single story homes and back yards, why not consider whether to survey your owners to see if they would approve clotheslines in back yards that do not exceed the fence height? If the members surprise you (suggesting that the majority have no problem with the use of clotheslines), then you could take the next step and get the requisite approval for a CC&R amendment, or propose a rule, circulate it to the members, and approve it.
I certainly can understand and anticipate that the general public probably does not want laundry hanging out on balconies, in front yards, over patio fences, and even in yards when homes are two or more stories and people can't help looking down into yards. But, there are those that would not have a problem allowing people to have clotheslines where they cannot be seen without peering over fences. In fact, there are those that would like to have the option of hanging their laundry outside to dry, not just because it saves power, but because it feels good, and makes the clothes and sheets smell good.
If resistance to reasonable energy saving processes continues, it is reasonable to anticipate that at some point in the future, legislation will force acceptance. It has with solar installations, drought resistant plant requests, and it is conceivable clotheslines could be next.
Posted by Beth Grimm at October 20, 2007 10:12 PM