Virginia Senate passes bill to allow clothes lines

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The Associated Press
© January 26, 2010

RICHMOND

The Virginia Senate wants all homeowners to be able to air out their clean laundry.

By a 37-3 vote today, the Senate passed a bill that would prohibit homeowner's associations from banning residents from stringing up clothes lines to dry their garments.

Sen. Linda "Toddy" Puller said her bill was needed to combat energy-sucking clothes dryers. The bill would allow the organizations to set restrictions concerning the size and placement of the so-called natural drying devices.

A similar bill — calling them wind energy drying devices — made it out of the Senate last year but was defeated on the House floor.

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Commonsense Reigns in the General Assembly

Submitted by factfinder on Wed, 01/27/2010 at 2:38 pm.

I am so happy that the State Senate tackled this thorny and troubling issue. My fair in government has been restored because until this it was eroding fast. But once again, 37 senators rose to the occasion and voted on an issue that affects many. Finally, I will be able to dry my laundry in the fresh air and enjoy the stiffness in my underwear. I am so glad they made this momentous decsion. I thought they might actually deal with powderpuff issues like unemplyment, tansportation, foreclosures and other economic tripe that is just a passing issue and hardly worthy of consideration. Thank you state senators, for all you do to, I mean, for us.

Beware

Submitted by georges on Tue, 01/26/2010 at 10:39 pm.

Every single person who lives in one can request a copy of the yearly audit required by law. Want to know which neighbor was embezzling? Which board member stole funds? How about which member bought a new car out of the bank account she "takes care of" for the association?? ASK FOR A COPY OF THE AUDIT!!! These people elect themselves into these so called offices, then rob you blind. And guess what?? It NEVER gets reported because they don't want to look bad, so they don't prosecute that grandma who bothers you every day about your flowerbed... DEMAND A COPY OF THE AUDIT!!!

Good Job!! About time!!!

Submitted by Megabite13 on Tue, 01/26/2010 at 10:11 pm.

About time someone stuck it to those association nazi's...some people don't realize what they are buying into sometimes....I think they should be illegal!!!

Senate needs to worry about something else

Submitted by flaire10 on Tue, 01/26/2010 at 8:18 pm.

And leave homeownners' associations alone. People actually choose to buy in neighborhoods with architectural covenants against certain structures to protect the aesthetics of the neighborhood--no one has to buy in those restricted neighborhoods unless they respect the controls. Once the senate forces voluntary associations to accept clotheslines, where will they go next--purple doors, orange houses, white roofs, tool sheds, and barbed wire fences. I guess its easier to worry about pants on the ground and clotheslines than contemplate Budgets and Transportation. Let's sweat somebody else's business and forget about the taxpayers' real needs.

more govt intrusion

Submitted by laura eichbaum on Tue, 01/26/2010 at 6:15 pm.

next thing I'll be told how many flushes per day I'm permitted.

I can dry my clothes with alternative energy?

Submitted by commonsenseguy on Tue, 01/26/2010 at 6:02 pm.

Am I being Punked? My clothes will actually dry if I string them up outside? No way!

Oh,Virginia..

Submitted by omegatop on Tue, 01/26/2010 at 6:01 pm.

Thank you for the right to hang my laundry outside. Now, if I could have my gay marriage recognized. That's the laundry that you won't let dry in public.

Homeowner's Associations are Fraudulent!

Submitted by Bill H on Tue, 01/26/2010 at 5:59 pm.

HOA's are fraudulent and Homeowners are wasting their money. What value do HOA's hold? Nothing! They (attempt to) do what the Housing of Neighborhood & Preservation (HNP) do and come up with idiotic rules (don't paint your house this color...you have to do this to your yard, etc) but the Green Run HOA do NOTHING! They don't mow your yard, they don't take down tree limbs overgrowing your house they want to bark "violation" orders. Well then....it's time to STOP paying them because they hold NO VALUE to homeowners and, quite frankly HOA's bring the housing market down because it's harder to sell a home because of HOA Fees. When I "own" a home...I'm not paying anyone "wasted fees" for non-performance of their duties. For those that do pay HOA's, take the time to draft an "Audit Letter" to your HOA and ask them what are they doing to justify the HOA fee? If ANY of the services are not available, it's breach of agreement and don't pay. If you live in a community where they say there's a Pool/Hot Tub/Sauna/Rec Room and it's not available or has been out of use....REVOKE your payment. There's been HOA's that have been put out of business because HOA's can't validate being paid.

Hats off to the Senate!

Submitted by Neighbor on Tue, 01/26/2010 at 4:45 pm.

Well done, folks.

Next order of business: I have an annoying hangnail on my left foot. Could you please rally all your legislative might and pass a bill to make it go away? All that other stuff -- a budget, transportation -- can wait until we get the really important issues out of the way.

Thank you.