Clotheslines are still not a snap

Q I live in a townhouse-style condo with an exclusive-use backyard area. I asked my neighbour if we are allowed to install a clothesline. I’d like to save on energy costs. He says the condo rules will not allow clotheslines. I read somewhere that legislation had been passed to permit clotheslines. Does this legislation include condominiums as well? I can understand why clotheslines are not permitted in high-rise condominiums, but what about condo townhouses?

A In 2008, the Ontario Government did pass a regulation under The Energy Con- servation Leadership Act 2006, designating clotheslines and clothes trees as items that may be used for the conservation of energy “despite any law that would otherwise prevent or restrict their use, including a restriction established by a municipal bylaw, a condominium bylaw, and encumbrance on real property or an agreement.”

However, while it may override bylaws, the energy act goes on to state it does not override any another act. Section 98 of Ontario’s Condominium Act only permits owners to add to, alter or improve the common elements, including exclusive common elements, if the board approves the change through a resolution and registration of an agreement between the corporation and the unit owner. Before you begin installing a clothesline to your exclusive- use common element, you would be required to contact your board of directors for approval.

Some condo townhouses have relaxed t heir rules to permit small portable clothes horses to be placed in an exclusive backyard. They are very easy to remove after the clothes are dry. Some boards feel these portable clothes- horses do not detract from the appearance of the condo as long as they are below fence level and folded up and removed after each use.

The interest in conserving energy is always growing. Any time we can help our environment, we should take the opportunity to do so.