Clothesline Ban Rankles Homeowners North Of The City

There are a lot of issues that will come up in the November municipal election – taxes, transit, garbage, clotheslines.

Clotheslines?

Yes, clotheslines.

Especially if you’re a voter in Aurora. An emerging trend has seen a number of housing developments in one of the cities above Toronto banning the use of the natural clothes dryers.

But it’s not a bylaw that’s causing the problem. Instead, the builders are writing the no-clothesline policy into their purchasing agreements over concerns that they destroy the aesthetics of a neighbourhood.

But in this age of electricity conservation and a move back to nature, that idea has left some residents feeling damp around the edges. 

Fiona Cowles is on the periphery of the clothesline battle. She likes to put her wash out to dry in the open air and doesn’t see any reason why she shouldn’t be allowed to.

“It’s really nice to have fresh smelling sheets and towels,” she exclaims are she inhales the scent. “And it really does make a difference.”

But not in one Aurora subdivision, where the fine print strictly forbids the use of the long lines.

“No clotheslines shall be placed on any parts of the lands,” an agreement reads.

Those who put the policies in place insist they’re not only necessary but that most agree with them. “It’s just part of our architectural control that we impose,” explains Fraser Nelson of Metrus Development.

That doesn’t sit well with the mayor of the city, whose re-election theme song definitely isn’t ‘I’ll Tumble for Ya’.  She’s started the Right To Dry movement and wants to see her council repeal the restrictions.

“If it’s just based on aesthetics what’s so bad about good old fashioned clean laundry?” asks Phyllis Morris.

She points out it saves energy – around six percent of your home energy costs come from the dryer – and makes clothes smell better. “They’re spending millions on advertising and other ways to find alternate energy and here is a very simple solution,” she complains.

She’d likely have Cowles’ vote. “It’s a pity that aesthetics seem to have taken over the practicality of life,” she condemns.

So what happens if you defy the agreement you signed when you bought the property in the first place? Nelson points out his company will send a written note informing you you’re in violation. But he admits he’s had to take a few of the more recalcitrant clothesliners to court, leaving those who support the great outdoors method feeling hung out to dry.

Here are a few things to be sure you ask about before you sign the contract for a condo or a new housing development.

Is it a bylaw or is it a restriction?

Some cities actually have bylaws against hanging things like a clothesline on your property. But in many cases, it’s simply an ordinance created by a homeowners’ association or a builder. The latter is easier to challenge than the former, but the time to find out is before you buy.

What are the restrictions?

Many condos or builders have a lengthy list of restrictions about additions to the outside of your home to protect neighbourhood ambience. Some put a ban on satellite dishes, solar panels, even pets.  And clotheslines are often included. Make sure you ask before you agree to anything. It’s estimated at least a third of all buyers don’t find out about the prohibitions until after they’ve already settled in their new place.

Check out the neighbourhood

What do others have on display? Is there something there you can’t live with or something you’d like to put up that seems conspicuously absent? Find out first.

Are there appeals?

Can you appeal the restrictions or are they set in stone? On some albeit rare occasions, there’s some flexibility if what you plan to do isn’t too disruptive to others.