Can Your HOA Fine You for a Clothesline? Right to Dry Laws Explained

Hanging laundry on a clothesline saves energy, reduces your carbon footprint, and costs nothing — but your HOA might fine you for doing it. Clothesline bans are one of the most common HOA restrictions in the United States, with an estimated half of all HOAs restricting or prohibiting outdoor drying.

But here is what most homeowners do not know: in at least 19 states, HOA clothesline bans are unenforceable. These states have "Right to Dry" laws rooted in solar energy legislation that override private HOA restrictions on clotheslines and drying racks.

This guide covers which states protect your right to dry, what HOAs can still regulate even in those states, and how to fight a clothesline violation.

The following states have laws that prevent HOAs from outright banning clotheslines. In these states, any CC&R provision prohibiting clotheslines or outdoor drying is void and unenforceable:

Additional states with protections include Indiana, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New Mexico, and Wisconsin. Visit your state's HOA law page for the most current information.

Right to Dry laws prevent HOAs from banning clotheslines, but most states still allow HOAs to impose reasonable regulations on placement and appearance:

• Backyard only: In California, Civil Code §4750.10 protects clotheslines in areas designated for the owner's exclusive use (backyards). Front-yard clotheslines are not protected.
• Retractable requirement: Colorado specifically protects retractable clotheslines but allows HOAs to restrict permanent fixed clotheslines.
• Height and size: HOAs may limit the height of clothesline poles or the size of drying racks.
• Visibility screening: Some HOAs can require clotheslines to be screened from view by fencing or landscaping.
• Not on structures: California law explicitly states that balconies, railings, awnings, or other parts of a building do not qualify as clotheslines. You can use a standalone clothesline, not drape laundry over your balcony railing.

If you received a fine for using a clothesline, here is your defense:

1. Check your state's Right to Dry status: If you are in one of the 19+ states with protections, the HOA's ban is unenforceable. Cite the specific statute in your dispute letter.
2. Verify placement compliance: Even in protected states, you must comply with reasonable placement rules. Make sure your clothesline is in your backyard or exclusive-use area, not in the front yard or common area.
3. Check for procedural errors: Regardless of the Right to Dry question, if the HOA failed to provide proper notice and a hearing, the fine is invalid.
4. Write a dispute letter citing state law: State clearly that the clothesline ban is unenforceable under [your state statute] and request the fine be rescinded.