SUPPORT

Response #1: I think clotheslines are disliked due to the fact that some people don't like their appearance. We didn't like the appearance of satellite dishes either, but they have arrived and are pretty much ignored now. (And the dishes don't have a benefit to the environment) From my chair as an onsite manager of 451 homes, I believe it should not only be permitted, but encouraged.

Response #2: I have lived in two condominium complexes, the first one from 1984 to 1998 and the second from 1998 to the present. I truly enjoy the experiences of "Community Living". I have served on Boards of Directors in each complex, and am currently serving as Vice President of the BOD. The issue of clothes lines has given me many opportunities for contemplation. Both of the condo units that have had backyards, totally out of sight of anyone living in or driving through the complexes. I would have welcomed (and still would welcome) the opportunity to hang the laundry out to dry in the breezes. However, being an instinctive "rule follower", I never thought to question the regulations and/or the CC&Rs. Now, in the light of the current international emphasis on reducing energy consumption, I would be thrilled to reduce the energy consumption of my household by installing a circular clothesline in our backyard. It would never be visible to anyone but members of my family. It is my opinion that all citizens of our country must make every attempt to reduce the consumption of energy where ever possible. If the restrictions of hanging laundry outside were amended, there would be many citizens who would wish to participate in conserving energy by drying laundry on an outside, circular clothes line.

Response #3: Our HOA does not allow anything (except living plants) above our fence lines and nothing attached to the building, or fence. Christmas lights are allowed between Thanksgiving and February 1st. Though it is not universally in forced. :-(Personally I love the idea, in reality saving 10% energy consumption is likely a stretch. Of all the people I know in the United States that could use a clothes line -- only one person does -- my mother. I grew up with a clothes line... everything went on the clothes line except for 'permanent press'. Laundry can be hung in an organized and beautiful way. It is therapeutic to me. Delicate items last longer. Clothes smell fresher. It is 'free'. We 'work around' our HOA limitations with a folding drying rack. Obviously it doesn't hold as much as a clothes line. It is not as convenient whether it stands in your bathtub, living room or on a "personal use patio" but it works. Defiantly there needs to be guidelines. Maybe if the law just states that air drying of clothes can not be entirely prohibit clothes lines/or clothes racks and/or that some accommodation must be made. And let the HOA's pass their own guidelines. That could be location, accommodation for those with out outdoor dedicated areas, blocking views of others, length, acceptable materials, what can be hung on them, (not art work or flags or . . . ____) common area drying. . etc. It must be safe, it can not inhibit the view of other residents, pose a health hazard or an eye sore. It adds some maintenance challenges with holes in the walls and lines to work around. Protruding items could be a liability. And then there is good taste which seems to vary. Just thinking of all the uses for a clothes line. I can see a lot of potential for abuse, liability and extra costs to the HOA. What if someone hangs a clothes line out a window and a child falls out. What if a common area clothes line falls and an elderly person trips over it. But I still think it is a great idea.

Response #4: I totally support no restrictions on clothes lines for HOA. I hang out my wash as an energy savings device and we should all be doing that. The reality of our times is that energy will become increasingly limited and we should conserve every way we can. This bill should be passed.

Response #5: Sounds like a good idea to me.

Response #6: We need to reduce our consumption of energy any way we can. We are wasteful nation. I live in a condo complex with attached units. I hang my towels and t-shirts up to dry in the in the garage. In the winter I hang them on a hanger over the door jam. Go to Europe, and seeing hanging laundry is something you except to see. Its part of the scenery. I live in a very affluent community, so I have a hard time seeing laundry hanging around here, but considering our current energy problems, I say go for it! Items smell better air dried anyway.

Response #7: Clotheslines are an excellent method of drying clothes in California (and most of the west) with its warm, dry climate most of the year.

Response #8: I am in favor of a law overriding CC&R prohibitions of clotheslines.

Response #9: I think Tina Rasnow's idea about using clothes line is a great idea. I love the look and feel of clothes dried on clothes lines. We need more grassroots actions to help curtail the warming of earth. Every little bit helps.

Response #10: I've managed community associations for seven years. All of them have had a clothesline prohibition. I would love for homeowners to challenge this ruling on moral grounds, but I won't hold my breath. Most homeowners, as well as the general public, see no connection between their lifestyle choices and the environment. I think it's criminal to prohibit any reasonable energy-saving measure for aesthetic concerns. The fate of all living things on one side, the look of someone's balcony on another. No contest. Bring on the clotheslines!

Response #11: It's about time. I can, however, appreciate the esthetics of not wanting clothes hanging from balconies. I wonder how it would work of associations had outdoor areas set aside for people to hang their clothes. Or is it technologically feasible to have a common drying room inside where there is ventilation that would allow clothes to dry without excessive energy use.

Response #12: First off, I would like to applaud Ms. Rasnow for trying to encourage others to use clotheslines and bringing this to the attention of the H.O.As and legislatures. I personally, have been using clotheslines in my household for the past 30 years. I definitely encourage others to use it because it is a non-renewable energy source that people often take for granted. Using clotheslines is very effective during the summer especially and we often prefer it rather than using a dryer because it gives our clothes a longer life and also saves energy and money. I definitely agree with what Ms. Rasnow is trying to accomplish and she definitely has my vote.

Response #13: I absolutely support clothesline usage to reduce energy usage. I would never move somewhere which (completely) curtailed clothesline usage.

Response #14: In our complex, Harbor Valley Association, we own our property and I have noted that people do have round clotheslines in their backyards. So although I personally would not pursue this as I have had a vein transplant in one arm that would preclude using a clothesline, I would not object to my neighbors having one...unless it was used to "store" clothing items on a permanent basis.

Response #15: I agree with her and would bet that if all homeowners would take the few minutes per week to hang clothes up, there would be a really significant savings in renewable energy. Recently, I returned from a trip to Europe visiting family and friends. Everyone has a washing machine, but no one owns a dryer. Everyone uses the sun and the air in some form or another, be it a clothes line or a standing clothes dryer.

Response #16: I've got to go with Ms. Rasnow on this one. Dryers add an incredible amount of air pollution if they are gas-fired, on top of the energy they suck out of the grid. If the association does not have a private courtyard for each residence that would allow for some regulated clotheslines, they could set something up in the common area that could be made unobtrusive. I personally have a drying rack in my garage. It isn't as nice as drying clothes in the sunshine, but both my electric and gas utilization are very low, which feels pretty good. If I could get away with having an outside clothesline, I would use it.

Response #17: I believe only a minority of people would opt to use a clothes line and see no reason why this should be prohibited. Some controls on location might be appropriate in some communities. But, in general, I believe this alternative should not be prohibited.

Response #18: The problem with clotheslines will show when the clothes are left on the line far longer than needed to dry. That is the issue that will to be addressed in HOAs. As far as using or allowing clotheslines in a side or backyard location, hey, let it happen.

Response #19: In theory in certain circumstances it makes sense that clotheslines could be utilized, but in the real world as Board members we know how for a percentage of homeowners or their tenants it would be a nightmare to manage the location and use of their clotheslines. Would Ms. Rasnow and her neighbors be required to allow clotheslines, or is this just for the poor folk?

Response #20: It's a good idea, not so much for the solar part, but to reduce the interference in peoples' lives by unconstitutionally operating housing associations.

Response #21: I agree with Tina Rasnow, we have a Laundry Room for everyone in our condo complex. On several occasions I have hand washed delicates, etc. and have had to use the dryer for a few minutes because we are not allowed to dry anything on the patio railings. This is a waste for the Association to use the dryer for a few minutes and a waste of money for us to spend money to use the dryer for 10 or 15 minutes. There are also folding wooden racks that can be used. I have not seen any recently in the stores. Excellent Idea. Hope some of the HOA's will let us use clotheslines.

Response #22: I agree that people should be allowed to use clothes lines to dry their clothing. Not only does it save energy think about the exercise that happens from bending to take laundry out of a basket onto the clothes line and when dry the same thing taking them off the clothes line and putting them into a basket. Perhaps this might be the only exercise for some people and there is nothing in this world like the fresh smell of clothes coming in from the sunshine.

Response #23: I'm all for the idea. It's smart.

Response #24: It seems pretty ridiculous not to allow people to have clotheslines in their CC&R's. It is not only ridiculous but it would help prevent Global Warming by not uses dryers. The lady has a point & the sooner CC&R's are brought up to modern times the better. Some CC&R's will not allow antenna's on roof tops or on the side of their houses. Now how ridiculous is that in this day & age.????

Response #25: Why not clotheslines? I think that our society has reached a pitiful level when we are not allowed to do what is beneficial for it because of some imagined distaste for the appearance of... "clotheslines"!

Response #26: I believe that Ms. Rasnow is "right on". Everyone must now act with great consideration for their environment. While I never have been an alarmist, I truly feel now that the matter of green house gases is something we can no longer ignore. Some people giggle at the fact that the little people can do nothing as compared to the industrial behemoths, now mostly the terrible pollution emanating from China with no restrictions, but they're wrong. Every little bit helps. I've never for the life of me understood where anyone was coming from making it a huge issue to hang out the laundry. This process saves energy, now helps the environment, freshens your clothes, and while at the chore, gives a person some much needed sun in their face. I don't really know about the "mandating clotheslines" part of it, though. I vote with Ms. Rasnow.

Response #27: I support hanging clothes to dry. It may seem tacky because it is a working class option from my parents generation, but many of my friends in single family homes are hanging their clothes to dry because of the expense of running a dryer.

Response #28: I fully support Ms. Rasnow's proposal to allow clotheslines in common interest developments. Hanging laundry outside to dry is one simple way to reduce energy consumption--and it's a universal, time-honored human behavior. (Your headline is misleading: I'm sure the proposal is not to "mandate" clotheslines.)

Response #29: Most HOA boards (including mine) are incapable of considering larger issues such as energy consumption or conservation methods. While Ms. Rasnow’s idea is a truly novel way to encourage energy conservation, most boards (again, including mine) consume their 15 minutes of fame with governance no more important than to control trivial aesthetic and non value adding issues. Ignoring larger issues really is only a reflection of relative competence in a given technical field and the fear of shadows promoted by entrenched legal “advice”. Whilst this is certainly a noble attempt at something positive, I am certain that legal firms (including yours) will no doubt enjoy the increase in billable hours fighting this issue on behalf of these myopic and uninformed boards. You asked for feedback, there you have it.

Response #30: Homeowners should be able to utilize passive solar energy without the interference of an association.

Response #31: SOU DS GOOD TO ME, IT WILL CUT EXPENSES AT THESE OUT OF CONTROL CONDOS

LIMITED SUPPORT

Response #1: I have served on a Board at "The Ranch" in Wilton Calif. These are acreage parcels and we have problems in that the CC&R's did not take large parcels into consideration and are far to vague. I agree with the clothesline, however, I would place into the law that screening such as trees etc. should be used, of course it would allow sun. In our area the HOA is trying to say screening is a garage even though it is clear that other forms are acceptable. Unfortunately, the board has said that they can change anything if they word it correctly.

Response #2: Clothes lines are for me a thing of the past, but as the saying goes... what goes around- comes around. Regular housing could use their yards without being on view. Condominiums could designate an area for all members and block it off with bushes, or other means.. Whatever method is used, I have to agree that we need to save the power. I suggest that a way must be found.

Response#3: In many cases this will make our communities look like third world countries. Unless the cloth lines can not be seen from the street.

Response #4: Clotheslines can always be hung inside of homes as well. This to will save her money because outside if there is a lot of wind it will drop and get dirty so she would have to re-wash the garments. If they drop inside she can always pick it up and re-hang them.

Response #5: I think Tina's idea is a good one. Let's get back to basics and get people thinking green. If folks start hanging their dirty laundry, then we've got a problem.

Response #6: Like everything else, the clothesline should not be visible from surrounding properties.

Response #7: I'm very conscious of "green" alternatives and of saving HOA money, however, clotheslines are unsightly, and given the cost of real estate in California, I'm not sure any association wants to give the appearance of being low income (tenement is the word that comes to mind). Alternatively, if the clotheslines were not visible from the common areas and walkways it might work (e.g. my balcony faces a garage wall so hanging a clothesline would not be visible from the walkways or common areas). It's a great way to save energy and the associated costs.

Response #8: If the clotheslines can be kept out of sight of the neighbors and other residents of the community, it would not present a problem. However, if the clotheslines are in clear view of neighbors and other residents of the community, it could become very unsightly and a nightmare to enforce. Anyone in favor of clotheslines for all should visit Italy or another country where it is quite common to see people's laundry hanging on clotheslines outside multistory buildings. It is a rather unappealing and ugly sight! Besides, I like the way my laundry comes out of my dryer soft and fluffy and with very few wrinkles. With all the demands on our time these days, especially in the U.S., a clothes dryer is a great timesaver.

Response #9: As a member of an association made up of houses, I have considered stringing a clothesline in my garage because of the restrictions and because of 'green' energy concerns. In our plan layout, it would be conceivable for our CC&Rs to be amended to allow clotheslines if they weren't visible from the street. I doubt that many other households in this association are energy-conscious. I am generally in favor of allowing clotheslines in yards. Another related issue for me would be permission to use solar panels or solar water heating.

Response #10: I can certainly understand why clotheslines are restricted for a variety of reasons, however; it seems silly to not allow them. In our California climate, we should be taking advantage of every natural resource as much as possible. It appears quaint and charming to see laundry hanging out a window in European countries –in fact, we expect to see it and do not think anything ill of it. If it is deemed “unsightly,” why not work with people to create an area for them to place a laundry line? Why must we be so uptight about the little things? Compromise is an essential aspect in any association. A laundry line does not necessarily need to be out of doors. I have one on my third floor, just outside the laundry room. No one else can see it. Of course this is not possible for everyone. On the other side, I would not want to look at a neighbor’s laundry hanging in plain view. Therefore, there must be a placement for the line so that it is not obstructing or directly visible to others. We should not just eliminate the problem (laundry lines), but work with people that want the choice of clothesline drying.

Response #11: Personally, I agree with the clothes line concept if used with common sense and with minimal guidance required by the manager or the management companies, which could be difficult. Lets face it you give someone an inch and they take 100 miles in this industry. Would community clothes lines work? Or subject to certain days of the week for a high rise. Going green is a great idea but how to structure the ability to use clotheslines for an association must be done with LOTS of guidelines.

Response #12: Being on the Board of our association, I have heard this question more than once. Personally, I would love to hang my clothes, linens etc in the sun but the question remains, people do not want to see clothes hanging in yards, it screams; can’t afford a dryer. In this age of global warming and pollution problems, a clothesline screams something much different; we want to preserve the earth. Hanging clothes on a line is not fun and games, those who would do it deserve applause. A solution: put the clothesline behind the fence so it doesn’t show or in the house by an open window. I have the feeling there will be many more questions concerning our environment; at some point we will not have a choice.

Response# 13: I believe that this should apply to ONLY PUDs where the line cannot be seen from the common area.

Response #14: I cannot think of a reason not to have them, just a long they are in a back yard or in such a location that the cloth line is not visible from the street.

Response #15: If the clotheslines are in an area where they cannot be seen from the neighbors or common area…fine….but otherwise no…. I have traveled extensively in Asia and Europe…and the thought that our cities will look like Hong Kong with the underwear hanging out on the balconies does not do much for me…

Response #16: Allowing clothes lines for Condos with yards would be fine. I think it would be ugly for high-rise complexes.

Response #17: I like the thought of being able to conserve energy, and the nice clean smell of sun-dried clothes, but, unless the clothesline is in a place that can be out-of-sight, they would really make the complex look terrible and trashy. And, if the clothesline is in a "common" area, who would maintain it. And, what about clothes theft or damage. If its in a private backyard area, and out of view from passers-by, I don't see any problem with the idea and would encourage it.

Response #18: I see no reason why clothe lines cannot be used in the back yard, as long as it cannot be seen from the street.. If that isn't possible, then put them in your garage.

Response #19: I think it's a good idea as long as association property is not used. I know of people who hang their clothes in their patios or in their garages. With nothing attached to the association property. When association property is used to attach lines, etc, the risk of unpaid damages increases. Their is also the insurance problem. Who pays for a homeowner's doctor bills when he drills into a wall, with the associations permission, for an anchor and instead hits a powerline? Association property should not be used.

Response #20: I am a homeowner, Board member and ex-Pres, of the Board. We live in a high-rise and I would be averse to seeing clothes hanging out on the balconies. I might be more tolerant of back yard clotheslines where they could be installed. It certainly is a point worth considering in light of our energy crisis and global warming. I imagine I could learn to accept it for all the right reasons. Perhaps if this ever passed it could be limiting in days of week and times of day??

Response #21: The theory is sound but the likelihood of it becoming law is very remote.

Response #22: I am for the clothes lines but with certain restrictions, for instance only on certain days and only with retractable clothes lines.

Response #23: I would vote yes for clothes lines in the back yard, as long as they are not visible from the front yards.

Response #24: I understand the argument about conservation of energy and I agree that everyone should do what they can to protect our environment. I am also concerned about how the appearance of clotheslines will affect our community. The pictures included in the newsletter re: clotheslines are very unsightly. Recently a violation letter was sent to a homeowner the set up clotheslines, which according to our CC&R’s are not allowed. The homeowner stretched out several ropes across their backyard, which were unsightly and highly visible from the common area green belt walkway running through our community. The clotheslines remained in place even without clothing hanging on them. If I had to vote on whether or not to allow clotheslines in our community I would vote yes, but I would want to make sure that guidelines are in place to keep the appearance of our community aesthetically pleasing for all those who bought into a planned community. The guidelines could include placement of lines, appearance, retractable lines, and number of clotheslines allowed. Going “GREEN” is a movement that has gained more momentum and changes are inevitable. Our community is currently reassessing homeowner landscaping to meet the challenges of water conservation, which may involve removing lawns and replacing them with artificial turf or rock gardens. Homeowners however need to remember why they bought into a planned community and that their individual preferences affect the community as a whole. And HOA’s instead of taking a hard line need to be flexible, which may mean allowing clotheslines but setting up restrictions (i.e.. allowing clotheslines on the side of the homes or the area with the least visibility from common area, or retractable clotheslines, etc.) and making sure that clotheslines are keep in good condition.

Response #25: I am soon to be elected this month, and feel clotheslines are okay, as long as they cannot be seen from the front or side. I currently have a rope strung between the 4x4's that hold up my patio. I live in the desert and some clothes actually dry faster the minute they are hung up than using a dryer, especially electric ones, that use 1/3 more electricity than gas dryers do. Perhaps if the affected complexes are ones where they are predominately two and three story building, and there are green areas, part of the green areas can be utilized as a group clothes line. A person has so much time to get their clothes off the lines. They must remove them as soon as they are dry, so that others can use them, but in some parts of the country, like where it is very humid, I lived in Georgia for a year and a half, and it would take half a day for them to dry thanks to the humidity. That or people that have garages can set up clotheslines inside the garages, and their clothes would dry quickly in the summer anyway. I know if I lived in a complex where they had two and three story bldgs. to see clothes hanging out, looks really tacky. It's going to be a tricky situation. Those on the West Coast where it is dryer, have no problems if we have single family units. That's my two cents worth. People who obviously live in long winter states, and humid states are going to be more of a problem than dryer states. Good luck and keep us posted.

Response #26: I live in an area in which the HOA forbids clotheslines. I support the movement toward allowing them, as long as they remain out of/below the line of sight of other residents. With global warming and other considerations, using wind and sun to dry clothes makes sense.

Response #27: I would agree that Clotheslines are an easy way for people to reduce their non-renewable energy source consumption without investing a lot of money, but that if it is in a HOA, planned development, etc it should only be allowed on certain days and times that are agreed upon by the Board of Directors and the members. Otherwise the members might be hanging their laundry and clothes for 24 hour periods or longer which is not the intent of this pending proposal. We all have to work at saving energy and compromise to make it work!

Response #28: I would agree that Clotheslines are an easy way for people to reduce their non-renewable energy source consumption without investing a lot of money, but that if it is in a HOA, planned development, etc it should only be allowed on certain days and times that are agreed upon by the Board of Directors and the members. Otherwise the members might be hanging their laundry and clothes for 24 hour periods or longer which is not the intent of this pending proposal. We all have to work at saving energy and compromise to make it work!

Response #29: Clothes lines are fine as long as they are out of sight from all roads. I live in a gated community and I have a cloths line on our back deck, it is out of sight. You also can hang your cloth in the garage and they are out of sight. I don't want to see cloths having on fences and off of balconies.

Response #30: I am an avid clothesline user, rain or shine. there are many ways to air dry clothes out of sight of others. collapsible racks, rods in the bath tub enclosures, line in the garage, I even have a rack that lowers from the ceiling.

Response #31: I HAVE BEEN RECEIVING AND ENJOYING YOUR NEWSLETTERS. AS A FORMER BOARD MEMBER OF OUR ASSOCIATION. THIS PROPOSAL, WOULD REQUIRE THE BOARD MEMBERS, TO PUT ON THEIR THINKING HATS. THE SUBJECT PROPOSAL IS A WORTHY ONE FOR CONSIDERATION. HOWEVER, ONE THAT CANNOT BE MADE JUST TO OVERRIDE THE CC&R RESTRICTION. THE AUTHOR DEFINES ALL THE ASSOCIATIONS THAT IT WOULD AFFECT. I WOULD ASK THIS QUESTION FOR A CONDO ASSOCIATION. YOU COULD HAVE CLOTHES DRYING, HANGING OUT THE WINDOWS, THRU OUT THE COMPLEX ALL WEEK LONG & WOULD THAT PICTURE BE ACCEPTED BY ALL OWNERS. WHO DECIDES WHAT DAY OF THE WEEK WILL BE WASH DAY? SINGLE FAMILY ONE STORY HOMES, PLUS 55 (BOTH) COMMUNITY WITH THE CLOTHES LINE, BEHIND A SIX FOOT FENCE/WALL. NO PROBLEM HERE. THIS PROPOSAL WOULD REQUIRE MANY RESTRICTIONS, WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS, PROCEDURES WRITTEN FOR ENFORCEMENT & AMENDING THE CC&R.

Response #32: As long as no one can see them, who cares? Don't we have to remove ourselves from dependence on energy from a national security issue? Solar power has to be a part of everyday life now. Like mom said, there are few things in life are free and the best is the sun. No, I am not a right-wing nut-job or a left-wing tree hugger. Just using common sense.

Response #33: How about allowing clotheslines ONLY IF they can be retracted out of sight when the laundry is finished drying? I wouldn't mind it if they were only visible while the clothes dry - but not ALL the time - and also not in the winter when it is stormy.

Response #34: It's a good idea, not so much for the solar part, but to reduce the interference in peoples' lives by unconstitutionally operating housing associations.

Response #35: This is an excellent idea as long as the Associations are allowed reasonable rules concerning placement and screening. Our community has homes with actual small back yards that are separate interest and although our CC&Rs do prohibit clothe lines it would not be a major eyesore to allow them as long as their height could be restricted to the height of the fences around the yards. However, I see a big problem with communities not built like ours. Communities built such that fresh air access is only available on a balcony or front porch would take a terrible hit in the aesthetics and value department unless some type of screening requirement were allowed to be enforced.

Response #36: It should be alright to air dry, as long as you bring them in as soon as they are dry, and don’t leave them while you take that cruise.

Response #37: Clotheslines within the confines of the condo or exclusive use area should be allowed. However, hanging your underwear outside your balcony which impacts the curb appeal of the property should not be allowed. My association has a restriction that you can’t leave your garage door open. However, I leave it open for light and air circulation for my home office, otherwise I am using electricity for lighting and AC. I guess you could use the same argument to allow me to keep my garage door open.

Response #38: I live in a 3500 acre 1100 home association. Currently clotheslines are prohibited.

We have a community pool, and I live across the street. When we are done swimming, all beach towels are draped over chairs on my back patio to dry. Also, all towels from bathing and heavy clothing articles are dried the same way, summer and winter. After dry, I put them in the clothes dryer to fluff then and remove and remaining moisture. All homes in our community are Propane or electric. I probably cut my Propane bill in half by doing this. Many neighbors do the same, we just keep it out of sight of others. I have never heard of a complaint about clotheslines in our community of 2800 people. I believe we drastically need to reduce our use of non renewable resources, and cut our demand for foreign oil.

Response #39: I have always liked clotheslines, because the clothes smell so good. I live in Desert Hot Springs, CA, so my clothes would dry very rapidly and that is great. I checked the Internet (shopzilla) and there are many types of clotheslines. There is a disappearing one that looks great to me. Therefore, my response is a positive one. I agree that energy needs to be saved.

Response #40: When I'm back on Board where I live, I will sanction clotheslines somewhere in back.

Response #41: I think this is an excellent idea! However, in our Resident Owned, Owner Occupied Mobile home Park for Older Persons, our CC&Rs mandate a maximum of 4" fences. Clothes hanging on lines would be unsightly. If we could get the rule changed for 6' fences, I would certainly recommend both changes.

Response #42: I think it might be a good idea, but with limits. Perhaps two days a week could be designated for "laundry day", - say a Saturday and a Monday. That way residents can count on one weekend day (for those who work all week) and one week day to do their laundry (for those who have to work weekends). They can also have the rest of the days to schedule guests visitation, etc. and be assured that their neighborhood will look nice. I learned recently that heating elements take up a very large percentage of electricity. This would include electric dryers, hair dryers, straighteners, and warming elements. I have a friend who lives in Anaheim. The City of Anaheim, CA has their own electric supply thanks to Disneyland. She was just reimbursed $14,000 for converting her electricity to Solar. In the day, she sells her excess to the City of Anaheim and at night she can buy it back, if needed, for a lesser price. She converted from a gas dryer to electric because of this and also because she is saying Gas rates are going to go up about 40% in the near future. To avoid overuse of my electric dryer, I put my clothes on a second spin cycle which gets more water out of my clothes and then I set my dryer to the setting that detects when to stop when my clothes are dry.

Response #43: The idea of using nature to dry clothes and reduce energy costs while staying "green" is commendable. I use a drying rack for certain items that cannot be machine dried. The drying rack however is set up IN my apartment on laundry day so I can reap the benefits of this type of drying year round without causing an eyesore to my building and neighborhood. If a clothesline is approved by an HOA it should be in an area that will not impact the building negatively and be in a common area such as the laundry room itself.

Response #44: THANKS FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO RESPOND TO THE CLOTHESLINE ISSUE. I SEE NOTHING WRONG WITH HANGING CLOTHES ON A CLOTHESLINE AS LONG AS THE CLOTHESLINE IS NOT VISIBLE TO NEIGHBORS SUCH AS IN THE GARAGE OR IN AN ENCLOSED PATIO. I THINK THAT MIGHT BE A REASONABLE COMPROMISE AND MIGHT SAVE 5% OF CALIFORNIA ENERGY CONSUMPTION INSTEAD OF 10%. PERHAPS CLOTHESLINES IN THE KITCHEN OR DINING ROOM WHILE RESIDENTS ARE AWAY AT WORK – OR PERHAPS A SPARE BEDROOM – OR EVEN A HALLWAY MIGHT SUFFICE. THERE ARE OTHER WAYS TO APPROACH THIS SUCH AS WITHIN EACH CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION COULD DECIDE IF THEY WANT THEIR MEMBERSHIP TO VOTE ON THE CLOTHESLINE ISSUE.

Response #45: Clotheslines is a great idea and it should be used more preferably if it's not an eyesore that's going to ruin the image of the property.

Response #46: I have only one neighbor who uses a clothes line and because he does not leave clothes out all the time, there is not a negative impact to the aesthetics of the building. I have plant hooks fixed to the balcony above that I occasionally use on a windy day to hang blouses that I have hand washed to dry. That works well on a Sunday in preparation to work the upcoming week and especially when the laundry room is busy.

Response #47: Interesting discussion item. I’m all for conserving energy and would have no issues with people in my condo association using a clothesline provided it was not visible from the street. People in single family homes don’t hang their clothes in the front yard to dry so why should condo/apt dwellers? If someone did this in a home, their neighbors would be up in arms and rightly so. I think the same courtesies should apply to those living in group settings. My condo has a small yard in the back and a clothesline back there for common use would be fine with me. Perhaps the people in the back units would object, but that’s no different than looking out your back window into your neighbor’s back yard and seeing clothes on a line. So clothesline in the back are good, but not in public view and absolutely no hanging clothes over balconies or furniture etc. that is in public view.

Response #48: Sure! Let them hang them in their living room.

Response #49: I believe they can work in an enclosed (fenced, walled) area. I think in some areas they could never work.

Response #50: I think that it is a great idea. However, some restrictions should be permitted, such as requiring that clothes be removed within 24 hours of hanging.

Response #51: I think drying your clothes could be done within your patio on a clothes line. But festooning the deck and walls of your patio or balcony rails with clothes hanging over them to dry certainly will look unkempt. If the complex has a convenient area outside of the unit, this would make an ideal place to hang wet clothes and keep the clothes out of sight. But what happens in ones own space, happens…….

Response #52: I fully agree it's time for HOAs to open up to clothes lines. I understand the desire to control visual clutter, but why are clothes lines more acceptable than dead plants or bare patios we don't really want people to use? That latter point is something HOAs aren't addressing: too many rules kill both community and the homeowners' right to use space he/she/they paid for.

Response #53: Not being a fan of dryers, I use a clothes bar that is discretely placed on my back patio...the only people that can see it are the people that enter this area. Some others in the complex discretely use hangers to hang clothes from the ribs of their patio umbrellas. Drying clothes outside can easily be accomplished without distracting from the "view" and we can, therefore, not appear as "bumpkins." Energy conservation is critical, so I would support anything that conserves. But tasteful drying of laundry outside...or even inside hanging on the shower rod...can easily be accomplished.

Response #54: If this ever considered seriously ,there should be one place and one place only where it is allowed out of sight and not allow items to be on line past dusk. This should not be every person has a right to a line in a 122 unit building etc. one location only.

Response #55: Energy conservation is a growing concern for all of us and we need to find ways to reduce consumption by individuals and groups. Unnecessary consumption also adversely impacts our environment. Our choices now need to be such that the legacy we leave is one we can be proud of. Our company manages 34 CIDs in San Diego County. I believe all but one of those prohibit clotheslines completely. The one that doesn’t, prohibits them being erected while not in use. I believe a provision overriding CC&Rs to allow clotheslines is warranted provided the provision still allows associations to regulate use to some extent. If the provision would allow associations to prohibit clotheslines while not in use or during certain hours, I would support the measure.

Response #56: Not only do I think associations should set reasonable rules to allow clothes lines, I think all forms of energy efficiency should be encouraged. I would suggest that window awnings and roll down shades, window tinting and solid cover patio covers should be allowed. Associations should not have the right to raise, by adhering to antiquated "consistency rules", air conditioning and heating costs to homeowners and in turn negatively impact the environment.

Response #57: I am in favor of allowing clotheslines in most complexes. But like any thing, something like this would be abused so specific exceptions should be incorporated into any law concerning this subject.

OPPOSED

Response #1: I would like to provide feedback to the bill that would permit clotheslines in common interest developments. 1. At some point common sense must prevail and recognize that allowing clotheslines will have a minuscule effect, if any at all, on global warming. Certainly there are more important things to spend time on addressing. 2. Clotheslines can make a development really look trashy. Considering that there would be virtually no real effect on global warming through these efforts, it is absolutely foolish to waste time and effort making up a bunch of rules and disrupting the appearance of a neighborhoods. Let's face reality here. Let's move on to something important.

Response #2: I own a condominium and have lived in my condominium for 13 years. I'm also the president of my homeowners association. Our complex contains 147 units. The condominium complex was built to be energy efficient in both electrical and water usage. Many of these balconies face one another. I am a strong supporter of reducing energy waste and practicing conservation. I take pride in my personal habits. I own a clothes drying rack/stand and routinely dry my clothes over night inside my home. I'm opposed to mandating that condominiums be forced to allow the use of external clothes lines. Forcing our association to allow the use of external clothes lines will inevitably reduce the value of our properties as the aesthetic quality will be diminished. Personally, there would be no desire to relax or entertain on one's patio with a view across the way of someone's thong underwear drying on the line.

Response #3: I wonder if they ever talk to any Board members of Associations or any people who actually live in Condos? Where are they coming up with the strange ideas?

Response #4:No, no, no. Even if the clotheslines are NOT visible from the front of the residence, in other words does not pose an unsightly nuisance most people just don't want to look at others laundry. I think there are many other alternatives to lowering green house gases that could be implemented instead. Nice try.

Response #5: Clothes can easily be hung to dry inside the home.

Response #6: I have been observing an apartment building where our neighbor dries their clothes on the clothesline. I can see several benefits in drying the clothes outside until the issues start to appear. The clothes are left out for days and then tend to blow all over the courtyard or left in a pile so someone else may use the line. Other issues are when the clothes hide those from illegal activities, i.e. underage drinking, drugs, and sex. Because of these juvenile activities, I can see having one may prevent the good that may come from.

Response #7: One more step DOWN the ladder. Let's all prepare to live in the slums. NO WAY!!! Have some class!

Response #8: As a Real Estate Broker, one of the “cons” of clotheslines is the perception that it downgrades the building or speaks to the caliber of people that live in the building. It takes away from the value of the building and may cause each of those owners to take less when they go to sell. I really appreciate the benefit of saving energy. However, there could be another cost.

Response #9: Thank you, for your updates. I would absolutely be against clothes lines in our community. There is no tidy way to allow clothes hanging as there are no patios and just one balcony per building. What about the people who leave clothes in the dryers for a week do you think they might remember to take laundry down? Beach towels and bathing suits hanging already cause grief in our community. TACKY TRASHY talk about the environment!

Response# 10: Ms Rasnow should author a resolution in favor of "out-houses." This would greatly reduce the consumption of water. No more flushing. This resolution is absurd.

Response #11: I certainly do believe Ms. Rasnow is on the right track with her intentions; she’s just clearly riding the wrong train. There are better ways to cut down on energy consumption that do not require hanging ones laundry out like prayer flags on Everest, and approaches that don’t devalue a neighborhood as inevitably as this would. Anyone who has ever managed an HOA can tell you that nothing creates stronger points of contention between neighbors than the eyesore on one lot drawing down the sale price of another, and the values of all. To be candid with you, if it were to pass, I’d cheerfully forward all calls that I receive from homeowners on this matter straight to Ms. Rasnow’s office. I’m sure she’s eager to hear back from throngs of happy residents calling to thank her for saving them all that energy, and maybe a little constructive feedback. May God have mercy on her soul.

Response #12: While I think her motives are well intended, Ms. Rasnow needs to consider the overall consequences of allowing clotheslines. I see a huge amount of paperwork and policing what types/styles are allowed, monitoring the condition of the lines, the installation, injuries caused from them, not to mention an instant blight on all communities that allow them. I for one would much prefer another approach to conserving energy consumption.

Response #13: Hanging Clothes…I know.. let’s hang our home values out to Dry! Our Condo Complex is in La Habra, CA. If a law passes overriding our CC&R's prohibiting Hanging Clothes on balconies…could Tina also pass a law that prescribes medicine instilling common sense and personal consideration in people who would otherwise not care what the community looks like. and leave there clothes out for weeks on end wherever they wish…whether they are dry/wet or otherwise or how there lack of caring what their community looks like...we have people..(100% of the one's I speak of are renters I might add... go figure…what do they care about what follows next)…that hang clothes on their front and back balconies that makes our otherwise pretty community look like a refugee camp...QUESTION: does Tina live in a Condo Community? If she does (which I doubt) Does she care about the value of her property relative to Resale...relative to personal aesthetics...does she want her relatives visiting passing by rows of hanging clothes like they are entering a Section 8 housing zone…does she want all decisions that affect our lives individually be made at the White House level...let me quess ...she wants me also to contribute to there cost of detergent because I work hard everyday to save my money and put my kids through college and have a retirement plan that is funding with my own earned income…let me guess again she is something just to the left of left...have her call me...or forward this to her...I want to know where her big house is and in what community she lives. and what office she is planning to run for?

Response #14: Many of us have chosen a CID for our home, in part, because we like the well kept, maintained look of the community. I.E. no abandoned cars on street or driveways; lawns well tended to; no junk or piled up construction materials peeking over fences. It is the visual blight of clotheslines that is irritating to the neighbors. This is especially true when the equipment is not kept up. We are used to the convenience of the dryer next to the washer. While I'm sensitive to the issue of global warming, and enjoy the smell of sheets and towels dried outdoors, I probably would not go back to a clothesline at my age. Perhaps we could have a central drying area much like a common gardening area. Or outsource the heavy wet cloth to be dried elsewhere and returned neatly folded

Response #15: This just another issue to dampen our rights for managing our association in a manner that reflects our preferences. Doesn't the legislature have anything better to do than the issue of clothes lines. Every residence in our community has a dryer and very little room for clothes lines

Response #16: I would be horrified if my Residents hung their laundry over the balconies. I hate driving by apartment buildings and on every balcony there are items piled high like storage and it really looks tacky and I hate to say it but reflects a bad neighborhood to me.

Response #17: Ms. Rasnow is hurtling us back to the dark ages. We can reduce our greenhouse gases by cooking under the sun and washing our clothes in the local creek but I think we've evolved beyond that too. It would be unsightly in the extreme to have clotheslines outside units. If a resident wants to install one across the living room, that's fine but keep it out of sight!

Response #18: I hardily protest the use of clotheslines in condominium or apartment complexes, except inside a person's private residence. Eek!! It would make our lovely residence into a ghetto-like place. No, no and no!! One can use a dryer and still keep energy use low. You just have to be practical about it. There are low-heat settings on dryers. Use them.

Response #19: Mandating clotheslines for community associations where there is seldom any place for them is one of the silliest, half-baked ideas I have heard in some time. What, for example, is the basis for the claim that this will save 10 percent of overall energy use? Is this nothing more than another “feel good” proposal to let those who drive over-sized vehicles satisfy their “green” inclinations. I can only imagine the general decline in property values as haphazard clotheslines are strung from high-rise condos or around other community association properties. What a great way to express solidarity with Third-World countries. (I can say that from having lived in several of them.) I have served as a board member and officer on three different community association boards. During that time various members in all those associations tried to put up clotheslines at one time or another in order to “save energy.” From one standpoint it was hilarious to observe various colors of mostly over-sized under garments flying in the breeze until the board of directors persuaded the offenders to remove the clotheslines. The fact is there are a number of valid, effective methods to conserve energy that community associations and there members can implement without trying to put up clotheslines in areas where they were never intended to be.

Response #20: If you want to decrease the quality and standard of living for condos and townhouses, you law makes perfect sense. As a president and homeowner of my unit in an 82 unit complex, WE DO NOT WANT this TO LOOK LIKE THE PROJECTS. I stress strongly that we are against such a law as the appearance of property would go down hill fast and why should I pay the HOA Dues and mortgage I pay if that is going to happen. Tell Ms Rasnow that although her intentions are good, this is not the way to solve the problem. Encourage people to use a shower rod hung over the middle of the bathtub towards the top as their means for a clothesline. This would be a far better suggestion for law, if it were to be needed, than her proposed law that she is trying to pass.

Response #21: First, the assumption that clotheslines will reduce utility consumption by 10% shows that the author lives in never-never land. Communities have their rules and we do not want self help for the indigent telling us what we can do. A clothesline in an inner city housing project might not be out of place but in a multi million dollar HOA community would be an eyesore. Let's leave our government time to cope with real issues and not be bogged down in trivia.

Response #22: This is horrible. I live and am a director of a very nice association in Orange County. The last thing I want to see is someone's laundry hanging on a clothes line across the balcony. This would be tacky and unsightly. I think this would bring our home prices way down.

Response #23: think that allowing occupants to hang clothes outside will negatively affect the property values of the complexes where this is allowed & used.

Response #24: I am not so sure that energy consumption cost will be reduced. In our family we do not use softener in the wash as the dryer does not make "hard" clothes as some are when dried outside on the line. What will it cost to produce the added demand for softener and then some type of ironing aid to iron out the wrinkles from drying outside which on most occasions are not present if dried in the dryer and the electricity to operate the iron. I do not want to drive into to a development and see anytime a day a wide variety of clothes drying outside. Many of our communities have large quantities of trees which would shade the drying. I guess we could cut down the trees at some cost and then the owner could pay increased air conditioner costs as the trees will no longer shade the homes adequately.

Response #25: I am president of an hoa and the idea of mandating clotheslines for this purpose is absolutely ridiculous!

Response #26: I had cloths lines in the Bronx when I was a poor kid during the depression days and I have no desire to go back to them. If anything makes a neighborhood look poor, low class and sloppy it is clotheslines. Ones you permit this, it will open up a can of worms and there is no telling what ridiculous ideas will come forward. China has clothes line all over the place and the areas look terrible,- crowded and unkempt, poor and dirty. Why not drink toilet water, that's the next thing.

Response #27: do not want to see another law changed so that people can ruin our country even more. If they cannot afford to live here they should move somewhere they can afford. For those of us who do live here, we work hard for what we have and personally I don’t want to see my neighbor’s underwear flying at half mass. They are other solutions to global warming than the clothesline. Maybe she should concern her self with the recycled plastics.

Response #28: The government needs to stop meddling with private agreements as this reduces our freedoms. They whittle away, a little bit here, a little bit there. All for what they consider to be good causes. If an association wants to do this, fine. If they don't, that should be their decision. The ability to choose is what freedom is all about. Why don't they try persuading us? Is their case so weak that they know it would fail? Many people think deleterious, mad-made global warming is reminiscent of Chicken Little warning everyone that the sky is falling because an acorn fell on its head. Thirty years ago the alarmists warned us of the coming ice age, over-population and food shortage/famines. We now face inadequate reproduction rates and farmers are being paid to not grow so much food. However, these Chicken Littles are making sure they can't be held accountable as they predict that we won't experience the related problems for at least eighty years, well after they are long gone. We need to go back to a part time legislature as this full time leaves them with too much time for mischief.

Response #29: At our association, clotheslines that "show" are forbidden. Clotheslines that are "hidden" are acceptable. I agree that the use of clotheslines is a practical solution, however, the clothes hanging all over the buildings and in front of RV's or Park Models is unsightly. I am against the mandating of clotheslines. If you have ever been in the Orient, you see how the use of clotheslines looks. It is a mess.

Response #30: Congratulation to Ms. Rasnow for finding a 'green cause' - could save even more energy by hand washing (with stones) in the Carmel river I might add. Our HOA is about to invest a sizable sum to resurface it's tennis courts - might be a great space for a massive clothesline encampment. Fortunately I can afford legal representation, and suspect that mine would support "green" causes like this by recommending that communities invest in "Green" laundry appliances. Anyone wanting to upgrade their properties in Monterey County already knows the drill on this. Another well intentioned (I hope) idea that seems to target 'Them' - of course meaning 'Us".

Response #31: I think absolutely not, to further reduce my property value by letting residents (some not even HO) display and air their personal belongings all over the place inside of the association IS ABSOLUTELY NOT A HELPFUL CONSIDERATION IN ANY ASSOCIATION. The association I own in has enough problems with trash and cluttered and debrised balconies. This would magnify the mess a billion fold. This idea is absolutely ignorant!

Response #32: The objection to cloths lines is obvious; some people don’t want to look at other people’s laundry hanging out. I’m fairly certain that somewhere within all of the complaints I’d hear if this were allowed would be the words, “looks like a slum”. A scrim would solve most of this problem, i.e. if this unwanted view is somewhat obscured, perhaps a compromise could be achieved. I can’t see many of the residents at the affluent HOA that I manage having their cloths hung out to dry, but you can be that, if someone got it in their head that their rights were being trodden, they’d try to take it to the supreme court; even if it did cost them 10,000 times more than whatever they’d save by hanging their cloths out to dry.

Response #33: Like the idea but looks like crap/ghetto. Would have to have rules about visibility and hanging stuff out the windows.

Response #34: I see no pro only con. Where does this woman live in a house with a big yard or does she have a maid? Are we going back to the 1920’s when there were no machines like we have today. We pay enough in taxes to use what we need to use and we know how to use it. Did she not stop and think what the Hispanic people in this country, legally or illegally or any other immigrants for that matter would be hanging. It would not look like the pretty picture below, not in a condominium association. We now wake-up with yelling screaming babies and children, dogs and cats and abusive people in general, now we have too look out of our windows and see clotheslines that really belong in back yards not in community complex. Don’t like it and that is my opinion.

Response #35: While using clotheslines may be an energy saver, I think it would be hard to for a working person to justify the time to put out and take down the clothes, let alone but up the line vs in and out of the dryer. Also, a normal size balcony is probably not big enough to hang a full load of clothes. The common ground area necessary to accommodate many residents would be sizable unless you coordinated wash days. Condos weren't designed for clotheslines.

Response #36: Today’s news letter, "Mandating Clothes," had mixed reactions from our homeowners. Our condo has twenty-seven units on three levels or nine stacks. We have a trace of lawn in front of our building. In the back is a tiny patio under trees with birds in them. I see no place that would welcome more than a short single clothesline, under those trees. Then, if we had a clothesline, it would surely generate arguments about who was next to use it. The roof of our building is not an option. All twenty-seven units have a small south balcony. Sixteen units have a tiny secondary north balcony. The visual aspect of allowing clothes drying on our balconies would have this building looking like a tenement in only days. This building is 95 percent working class at work most of the daylight hours. Putting out wet laundry at night would not be welcomed and could dip into the cocktail hour, TV and dinner. I grew up in Michigan. My parent’s home had a huge back yard. We had two very long multi-line clotheslines. It took my mother a long full day to deal with the laundry for our family of four. I still remember that wonderful clean scent of clothes fresh off the clotheslines. It would be magic if we could bottle that scent. Today’s generation is unique. Their work and professions drive them. Spending hours hanging clothes to dry, and then removing them from the lines is not a factor in the lives of young couples, who both work. Lined dried laundry lacks the soft and almost wrinkle-free look we get using a clothes-dryer. Breaking today’s young people of the luxury of a clothes-dryer would be difficult or simply impossible. They have the money and expect it at any price. I admit that at seventy-six I too would have a hard time giving up a clothes-dryer. Ms. Rasnow’s idea and reasoning are probably well intentioned. However, I see it as unfair. Why has she targeted only "condominium associations, planned developments, high-rises, mixed-use developments and every other form of community association in California?" Before I moved to a condo, I lived in a single dwelling for forty-two years. We had no community association of any sort to run our lives. I feel confident California has millions of homes that are not part of an association. I recommend Ms. Rasnow include all homeowners in the state of California. It would be interesting to know if Ms. Rasnow hangs her own laundry on a "solar passive device." Perhaps someone should hang Ms Rasnow’s proposal on that device along with her laundry.

Response #37: The idea is commendable but would not work in our complex. The only open area is our courtyard and I doubt if anyone would want to put lines of laundry out there. I know I wouldn't. There are better ways to conserve energy--take shorter showers is just one.

Response #38: You have chosen another very good issue that will combines the emotional do right response as opposed to the logical protect the value response. I would love to be able to reduce energy usage and energy costs as well as help the environment. If I lived in a suburban area where I have some land around my property I would have clotheslines up. But I live, as most individuals within an association do, in close proximity to my neighbors and I would prefer not to see within 20-30 feet of my view my neighbors clothes. When out driving in the countryside you see clothes drying in the wind it brings back memories of simpler times. When driving through a potential new residential area you might relocate to it brings to mind the blighted tenement look so often visually associated with lower income housing. I would have to vote no on clotheslines within my association. To maintain the visually higher standards.

Response #39: There are two reason clothes are banned in our Association: Safety: Clotheslines employed casually and left unattended after material is removed are a hazard in the common area. Unsightly: We choose the rule to ban clotheslines among other appearance items, curtains and such, because Owners voted to maintain appearances. These are rules Owners felt, justifiably, protected there condominium investment. Legislative rule, like MDs "Do no harm" One person's "good practice" is another's stolen clothes.

Response #40: My association has a rule that whatever you have on your deck or patio has to be below the "eye level view" of the caprail of the deck. If an owner wants to dry clothing outside on their deck, whatever means used to hang the items cannot extend above the deck rail. This includes laundry flapping in the wind. This limits what is drying on a "line". Owners who have patio areas actually have a place to hang laundry to dry outside as long as the laundry is not waving in the wind above the fence line. The fact that you can see all this from "above" does not factor in. The rule has to do with what can be see at eye level of the deck or fence line. For the most part, owners do not want their homes to look like a tenement with laundry hanging out all day long, all week long and especially not in any common area. The aesthetics of this would lower property values as most people would equate laundry lines with being allowed to do whatever they want on the property -- A tenement appearance would loudly say that "anything goes here." This is inviting a huge problem.

Response #41: Please no clothes lines allowed in condo situations. Close living and small lots should prohibit outdoor drying of clothes. My own community would turn into "trailer park hell" if this is allowed. We can conserve energy in many other ways. Please do not handcuff hoa boards from making decisions that make sense for their own communities.

Response #42: When yards were big, versus California's standard 24-30' deep by 65-75' wide, and neighbors were not directly exposed do it - - it might have been acceptable. But not when you are living within 10' of your neighbor and that laundry could also possibly be exposed when facing golf courses, parks, open space, etc ---- it would intrude upon at least some of the atmosphere and beauty. Definitely opposed to such a law.

Response #43: I do not think permitting clothes lines to be on balconies is a good idea even though an energy issue is being addressed. What about the quality and beautification of life? What about all the money invested in buying condos? There is enough problems and headaches trying to enforce the rules about balconies: plants tables, bikes, etc. What about the water dripping onto the floor of the balconies? Will that not affect the floor and cause damage in the future? I believe there is an article concerning drying clothes outside: having to do with the sun's rays and melanoma or other skin concern. Wish I had the time to research it. But I do not think it is a wise idea. Will this not also lead to people walking by the sidewalk and enable some to steal clothes?

Response #44: You've got to be kidding me! I certainly hope this proposal goes nowhere. I do not want to see other people's underwear strung up all over the place. Let them hang laundry in their own closed garages if they must, or in fenced-in, totally private back yards -- so long as laundry can't be seen by anyone else. I live in an 80-unit townhouse PUD. Years ago, a resident hung her laundry on hangers (including old yellow bras and stretched-out panties) from the metal rail of her open garage door, in plain view of passers-by. There were many complaints by other residents. It is difficult living in high density housing in large cities. Beautiful and peaceful aesthetics in an HOA are important and go a long way towards helping to de-stress inhabitants who live there. Today's lifestyles just do not support stringing up laundry in public view. I and several other friends have drip-dried our work clothes and underwear for many years. We all have drying racks in our bathrooms, laundry rooms, and garages. There is no doubt in my mind that we can and should do a better job of saving energy, but this idea is a bad one.

Response #45: No clotheslines, please!!

Response #46: While I am all supportive for a greener America, I can't see that this bill would do anything more than make the common areas of the complexes refereed to look shabby and unattractive. I live in a condominium, and use the space inside my home to hang clothes when I don't use a dryer, which is what I would encourage others to do as well. There is no need for me to hang my clothes in a public area for all to view. I don't know of any CC&R for single family homes that would want a homeowner to hang their laundry in the front of their house, so why should other communities be encouraged to do so. I appreciate Ms. Rasnow for her dedication to the environment, but we don't have to air our laundry outside when we can get the same benefit from doing so indoors without lowing property values.

Response #47: I want to respond to the proposal to allow homeowners within association complexes to use clotheslines to dry their clothing. While I understand the rationale behind the proposal and agree that we need to enable homeowners to save on energy costs I can't support this specific idea. One point of pride within most associations is the uniform look of the property. Boards do their utmost to ensure that home exteriors look clean and attractive. Hanging laundry would fly in the face of everything boards work for and owners take pride in. I can only imagine how those neighbors who don't want to save energy by hanging clothes out would feel when seeing this tactic executed by their neighbors. It would spark nothing short of outrage in my opinion. And if you were selling your home and holding an open house, imagine the spectacle of the home next door to the open house hanging out undershirts and shorts. This is a non-starter. The only way I can see this happening is if owners were directed to hang clothes on rear decks out of view of the common areas.

Response #48: In response to the clothesline issue, I don't believe it should be legislated at all. Given human nature, any regulations regarding the use of and maintenance of clotheslines will fall on deaf ears. They will become an eyesore to property owners, reducing property values. Ms. Rasnow argues that "Clotheslines are an easy way for people to reduce their non-renewable energy source consumption without investing a lot of money." While a noble goal, the risk of them turning into property detractors and an eyesore is greater. I don't think that supporting someone else's personal philosophy about energy should be imposed on the rest of the public. As a Board member of my HOA and noting how the previous Board was reticent to notify anyone of violating any CC&R's, the clothesline next door stayed up without a word from anyone until they moved. Just use the washer and dryer and get on with life.

Response #49: We go to great lengths to keep our complex looking like a pleasant place to live . . . . filled with people that you would want for neighbors . . . . . . Clothes lines may be considered as passive energy . . . .. . . but . . . . I do not believe that ANYONE in my complex or anyone else's (where people are living in close proximity) want to stare at other peoples underwear hanging on a clothes line day after day. What is okay for a single family neighborhood is clearly NOT suitable for a condominium complex. What is going on in this woman's head?

Response #50: This is one of the most ridiculous proposals I have ever seen. Do we want our pristine Common Interest Developments looking like a New York City tenement building?

Response #51: Maybe if folks want to hang their clothes out to dry, they should move to Europe or South America.

Response #52: I believe this is an issue of weight. On one side you have the saving of energy (small as it may be). On the other side you have a license for everyone to hang out their laundry and give an appearance of a substandard living status. Most people buy into HOAs to keep their community looking nice and aesthetically pleasing. If people feel the need to make those type of restraints maybe they would be more comfortable living in a tent city rather than an association.

Response #53: Ms. Rasnow...I say don't air your laundry...clean or dirty! Imagine this image x 137 other clotheslines. That is the number of units in our Association. The complex could be covered with laundry! In the winter or during rainy season...a clothes dryer would be used. OR...people could consider doing what we did back in Michigan in the winter...hang the clothes in the bathroom or the kitchen. We all have our ever dropping property values to consider. Laundry hanging at multiple units would give the "slum look" a new meaning. Car pooling will improve on the greenhouse effect.

Response #54: Does Ms. Tina Rasnow live in an HOA with a very small backyard? She doesn't, otherwise she would not bring this up. If this passes, how would she like to wake up and view her neighbors laundry hanging in the backyard for days on end. Next the managers will be the laundry police confirming that the clothes are taken in in a reasonable amount of time. Because if there not it will all look like tattered prayer flags blowing in the wind.

Response #55: Outside clothes lines should remain restricted. NOTE: I am a conservationist and I hang my clothes on hangers then over a rod that suspends across my bathtubs and showers. This works most effectively for drying clothes/linens 12 months of the year. Perhaps Ms. Rasnow could suggest this form instead of items outside properties.

Response #56: Before anyone buys into an association, they are provided a copy of the CC&Rs. They know what the association's rules are and can make an informed decision as to whether or not they want to buy into the community. There are also procedures in place to change the CC&R's if the association feels the need based on current circumstances. We don't want or need the State to legislate rules for us. You are treating homeowner associations and their residents like a subset of citizens who need to be treated like children.

Response #57: As a resident and former Board President I am vehemently opposed to this visual blight that would occur… I am all for reducing the energy consumption and keeping our air clean etc. but this is not the way to go… this measure should be defeated…I personally do not wish to see laundry (sheets, personal items etc) hanging from everyone’s balcony or patio – picture all the condos having underwear, sheets and other items strung on every patio … what next… growing your own corn and crops to conserve the land… A better way to do it is to encourage energy efficient washers and dryers to be installed, installation of energy efficient lighting into all complexes (give the associations big tax benefits and bonuses if they do this and/or have the Cities offer low cost loans – 2-3% to be able to convert electrical systems to new energy efficient ones). If she wishes to do something good … go after second hand smoke issues in condominiums – this has been ruled hazardous to one’s health and yet; we have no legislature to control this… That’s my 2 cents on the matter… 

Response #58: This is a very destructive proposal, one which would damage the attractiveness of any common interest project. CCR prohibition against clotheslines exist for a good reason. I also question her statistics, because outdoor drying of clothing will only be effective in clear, warm weather.

Response #59: There is a reason for the negative saying about "airing your dirty laundry" or in this case I guess your "clean" laundry. What comes to mind are the cities in Italy I have visited. You can certainly tell the difference between the downtrodden neighborhoods from the nicer areas by the laundry hanging out of the windows, from the balconies or from one building to another in the downtrodden areas. It is a mess. I would like Ms Rasnow to know that areas that have CC&R's (at least ours anyway) can change the CC&R's to allow the airing or laundry if the majority of the people living there feel this change is needed. We do not need her to legislate how we choose to live in a CC&R regulated area. That is why most people choose to live in a CC&R regulated area, to keep this type of activity from occurring.

Response #60: Question: Is Ms Rasnow also suggesting that the owners park their cars and walk to work which would be more environmentally friendly? Also, what are her alternative solutions during a long rainy period? I could go on.

Response #61: I agree that drying clothes with the sun will save energy; we use a clothesline to dry our clothes and bed sheets on occasion. I do not agree that a law over riding CC& R’s though is the way to saving energy. Some Associations with a deck or private patio might have enough room to string a line inside the boundaries of the deck to hang a few things. Some Town home style Associations might have enough room in their walled in patios that someone could hang a line. However, I don’t think a high rise condo would be an appropriate place for hanging clothes off the railings of a deck and I don’t think that I as an owner with a large investment of cash wants to see that either. Visual impact is huge, and what buyer would want to see clothes blowing around off everyone’s deck? A PUD with individual private back yards where visual impact isn’t as big an issue should consider allowing hanging clothes to dry. So perhaps the better answer is to allow each community/HOA decide for themselves (via a vote of the owners) whether they want to change their CC&R’s. Tina Rasnow’s goal is noble, reducing energy use is paramount to our economy and well being. Her method of achieving that goal is not.

Response #62: I believe Ms. Rasnow has a valid point about energy conservation in the use of clotheslines. Not only would the use of clotheslines be beneficial to the environment, but many residents who live in these communities are looking for ways to cut the ever-increasing cost of utilities. HOWEVER, I think this proposal is flawed if it does not consider situations where the Association is paying for the utilities of the laundry facilities. In that case, I believe the decision to allow clotheslines should be left to the association - no one is stopping members from changing the rule within their own communities, regardless, and a blanket mandate for all communities seems a bit fanatic. It should not be overlooked, either, that these rules where in place when the people chose these residences. I am tired of hearing people complain about dealing with community issues when they KNEW they were moving into a community-dwelling in the first place. Also, living in a lower-income community myself, I have some difficulty believing that energy conservation, and not money, is the real motivation for clotheslines when recycle bins are filled with garbage on a weekly basis and sprinklers are abused for the convenience of running through water outside one's front door rather than walking down to the pool. As I said, I'm all for conservation, but let's not paint whiskers on an elephant and call it a kitty!

Response #63: want to see how over used an energy saving device like "cloth lines' is, go visit Hong Kong or Singapore and view the high rise apartments filling those two cities. Then come back and tell everyone how the beauty of a living place can be so degraded that the trade off of energy vs aesthetic is so obvious NO One would ever want your clean or dirty laundry displayed!

Response #64: ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS, DELTA SIERRA, IT DOES NOT SAVE 10%

Response #65: I have been to places where you'd see clotheslines on balconies. They look ugly and do not contribute to the overall appearance of the building and to the value of the property. If the project is a PUD or where the owner can use their own backyard for clotheslines and neighbors cannot see the appearance of their backyard, it would be ok. But definitely not on balconies or any other place where others can see the clotheslines.

Response #66: We strongly object to the use of outside clotheslines. We see nothing wrong with clotheslines -- as long as they are only hung inside the home and away from windows. There is nothing attractive about seeing a line with clothes hanging outside. As far as condos are concerned (of which we are owners), there is space in bathrooms, living rooms and even bedrooms. All that is needed are two parallel walls which most people have. We would be horrified to see people using the decks or common areas for this purpose. This would cheapen the property. Considering the poor air quality, we do not understand why anyone would even want to take clean laundry to dry in the polluted air. Once again, we strongly object to the use of outside clotheslines.

Response #67: Here we go again with another person trying to implement items over what is not in the best interest of a development such as a condominium associations. Condominium associations were set up to relieve such eye sores. This is what they call a blight on the property. I wonder if Tina Rasnow would like to see my underwear hanging in her line of sight outside her front door and windows. If she wants too, she can hang her balloon underwear outside her front door on her property, but don't try and shove this in our face. We don't need this. She reminds me of a politician. She needs to go back and start counting the holes in the ceiling again.

Response #68: I have no issue with the clothes lines as long as they are below fence level. I understand it saves energy and am all for that but I am also for my property values to stay high. Clothes hanging all over the place is certainly not very attractive to potential buyers. I believe this will also lead to people placing wet clothing, towels, blankets etc. on top of the feces to dry which can cause damage to the fence over time.

Response #69: Great idea - Now if we could only avoid flushing the toilets, maybe next we could start drying that on the patios as well!

Response #70: Consider this a 240 unit building, each unit having a clothing line on their balcony it would be reminiscent of the earlier ghettos. I'm all for conservationism but when I weigh it against devaluing my property, I say buy a house if you want a clothing line.

Response #71: As President of a HOA, I love clothes that are hung outside and left to dry there. I agree that this would save electricity. However, I also know that in my complex where our patios are rather small, that there would continually be clothes hanging on those lines forever. I think that if there was not the human element in the equation in regards to the clothes lines all would be well. I do not like this idea.

Response #72: Might be fine in some townhouse developments that have yards. In our 4 story condo the only way people could have clotheslines would be to put a drying rack out on the common hallway, or have the ones that they have in Europe that are on a pulley sort of thing - and that would have to be strung over our pool area courtyard. Boy would that be an eyesore. I think those developments that can accommodate clotheslines (such as one we own up in Orange county) probably already have them. Only makes sense. in others it would make no sense and be hideous.

Response #73: I have an opinion on this proposed override to the condo rules. This is just horrible, horrible news. In theory this sounds great but those of us living in this situation DO NOT want to see laundry hanging outside! This idea isn't bad but people are so incredibly irresponsible and would leave things hanging out there for days on end and the clotheslines would fall into disrepair...how in the world are they going to be monitored? If folks want to hang their laundry out, they should move into a home with their own yard or go to a laundry mat. I strictly vote against this and hope it does not pass.

Response #74: I live in a 290 unit condominium complex converted from apartments. Clotheslines would make this property look like a tenement. We do not have backyards. This is the most ludicrous thing I have heard in a long time. Why don't we get rid of the washers and dryers in our laundry rooms here and install washboards like our grandmothers used in the good old days. This would be just as ridiculous as having clotheslines.

Response #75: Our condominium association would be unalterably opposed to the concept of hanging laundry out to dry . . .the sight of laundry hanging from windows, on patios etc. would destroy the esthetic beauty of our property, lower property values. There are many types of pollution and the eyesore pollution created by clotheslines hanging from each unit would be intolerable.

Response #76: No clotheslines, please!!! Can you imagine what the community would look like if everyone used clotheslines -- absolutely horrible. Who wants to look at someone else's undies drying? I sure don't.

Response #77: Airing one’s laundry, dirty or otherwise, isn’t a good idea! The covenant restrictions regarding the ban on clotheslines were written for a good reason – they are unattractive and detract from the beauty of any community. While an argument can be made for them being a “passive solar device”, that doesn’t mean that it’s a good idea. If someone wants to live an alternative lifestyle of maximizing free solar and wind energy, then they should move to a non-HOA community so that they can erect their solar and wind devices. Also, people do have the option of simply stringing rope out in their garages and drying their clothes inside the garage -- and out of their neighbor’s sight. Clothes can get dry inside or out. Ms. Rasnow makes a couple of debatable statements that she proffers as facts. The first is that California could save 10% in annual energy consumption. I seriously doubt that 10% of California’s energy consumption goes to drying clothes. But regardless of what the total percentage is, that percentage would be for all of California. However, not all of California lives in an HOA, and not all of the HOA’s have regulations that disallow the use of clotheslines (e.g. HOA’s that have acreage where the next door neighbor may be 5 acres away). Also, high-rise condos have no place to put out a clothesline, but they are included in the total count of the HOA’s in California. The second statement that she makes is that it will reduce “greenhouse gases and global warming”. While “global warming” may or may not be occurring, it isn’t a proven fact that it is a direct result of human endeavors. I reject her assumptive statement regarding global warming. NO CLOTHESLINES!

Response #78: Thanks for the July 1 article on Tina Rasnow resolution to override CC&R restrictions against clotheslines. Perhaps we can all take our dirty laundry down to the swimming pool rather than using washing machines. We can also put tinfoil on our windows to cut down on the sun and heat, which will also save on energy and air conditioning. I must admit, seeing clothes hanging from every window in the countryside of Italy is quite charming, however, in the city of Hong Kong it just looks plane tacky. I also cannot imagine ever seeing clotheslines in a Trump Property, weather this law passes or not. The bottom line, people move to a HOA property understanding the R&R & CC&R's. If you don't like the rules, don't move into one. I bought and moved into my association 8 years ago. My mortgage payment is $2000. per month with association dues of $440. Due to the increase property value in N. California, some of my neighbors who bought here 2 years ago, are paying $5000. & $6000. per month plus the association dues. We don't want to see clotheslines from our decks and windows. Though I can appreciate Ms Rasnow self-help access center for the poor, they don't live here.

Response #79: I do not think permitting clothes lines to be on balconies is a good idea even though an energy issue is being addressed. What about the quality and beautification of life? What about all the money invested in buying condos? There is enough problems and headaches trying to enforce the rules about balconies: plants tables, bikes, etc. What about the water dripping onto the floor of the balconies? Will that not affect the floor and cause damage in the future? I believe there is an article concerning drying clothes outside: having to do with the sun's rays and melanoma or other skin concern. Wish I had the time to research it. But I do not think it is a wise idea. Will this not also lead to people walking by the sidewalk and enable some to steal clothes? Thanks

Response #80: Ms. Rasnow is hurtling us back to the dark ages. We can reduce our greenhouse gases by cooking under the sun and washing our clothes in the local creek but I think we've evolved beyond that too. It would be unsightly in the extreme to have clotheslines outside units. If a resident wants to install one across the living room, that's fine but keep it out of sight!

Response #81: My first response regarding Mandating Clotheslines would be: "Has Ms. Rasnow taken the time to tour the various developments mentioned in the Newsletter regarding this subject?" Using our Association as one example where would the clotheslines be installed - along the streets, or would the residents have to install a pole from one end of their small patio slab to the other? People who normally wash two or more loads of laundry at one time would only be able to wash one load per day because there wouldn't be sufficient room on the clothesline to accommodate more than one load. Those of us who own a king sized bed would only be able to hang one sheet at a time which means it would take several days to dry one load of laundry. Does Ms. Rasnow expect people to get up even earlier each morning in order to wash a load of laundry and hang them up to dry before they leave for work? What happens when it rains or the weather is cold and overcast the clothes don't dry? What happens if it rains while the residents are at work? What happens when the winds suddenly start blowing and the laundry ends up in our lakes and streams? The gardeners work on our property five days per week and use their leaf blowers daily. The flying debris and cuttings would end up on the clean laundry. There is also the matter of bird droppings. The majority of residents living in our community works for a livi