Manchester's Right to Dry

Attached to one of my neighbor's back porches is an unbrella-style clothes drying rack that, for reasons I can't quite pinpoint, intrigues me:

I've never seen it used for its intended purpose, but I like it. Aside from its unique design, I like the idea of air drying one's laundry. As the Concord-based nonprofit Project Laundry List notes, this practice can reduce one's energy consumption by some 10-15 percent, which is good for the planet and one's wallet.

I notice these types of drying racks all across the city, though I see them most often attached to the back of triple deckers in the center city:

And while I think the air drying of laudry is a great idea, I fully admit that I am more than a little leary of hanging my clothes outside to dry for my neighbors or any other passersby to see. It strikes me as an invasion of privacy.

Am I a hypocrite? Yes, I think I am. (Though as a partial defense I will note that the missus and I do use an indoor drying rack for some of our items).

In any event, I was surprised to learn, after reading an article in the New York Times earlier this week, that there is "Right to Dry" debate going on in state legislatures and homeowner associations across the country. In short, people wishing to air dry their laundry are running up against association bylaws that prevent them from doing so as a means of preserving propery values across the association. Given the recent interest in all things green, however, a number of state legislatures, including those of Vermont and Maine, have recently passed laws overriding such bylaw restrictions. New Hampshire has no such protections for those association residents who wish to air dry.

That said, as long as you don't live in a property that is governed by homeowner association covenants or condo association bylaws, you probably have the right to purchase and install your own clothesline or other laundry air-drying device. Keep in mind, though, that according to the City Building Department, you may very well need to obtain a permit to install it, as such devices (also including flag poles, satellite dishes, tree houses, etc.) can be considered "structures."

Dryer, beware.

Comments

[Abbey]

I always intend on drying my clothes outside - when we were super poor and in seminary, I would do so - but well, now I'm too lazy and with the twins who like to spit up on everything - I just don't. Slightly hypocritical, but alas, I like my dryer.

[Brian]

the biggest problem I had with drying outdoors... your clothing (jeans especially) were always somewhat stiff. Perhaps the reason you see them more on multi family buildings is because those apartments are for the lower class who--probably cannot afford a dryer or running to the laundromat and dropping a pocket full of quarters in to the machine twice a week.

[Mark]

I love drying outside on my North End property. And I don't need a city permit because I string my lines between two giant spruce trees. Just makes me feel good and green whenever I hang, even on a cold February morning.

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