Florida Statute Guarantees your Right to Have a Clothesline!

Many home owners association forbids clothesline. I know that Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra does. Luckily Florida state law overrides it.

clothesline

FLORIDA STATUTES

TITLE 11. COUNTY ORGANIZATION AND INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS
CHAPTER 163. INTERGOVERNMENTAL PROGRAMS
PART I. MISCELLANEOUS PROGRAMS
Fla. Stat. § 163.04 (2003)

§ 163.04. Energy devices based on renewable resources

(1) Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter or other provision of general or special law, the adoption of an ordinance by a governing body, as those terms are defined in this chapter, which prohibits or has the effect of prohibiting the installation of solar collectors, clotheslines, or other energy devices based on renewable resources is expressly prohibited.

(2) No deed restrictions, covenants, or similar binding agreements running with the land shall prohibit or have the effect of prohibiting solar collectors, clotheslines, or other energy devices based on renewable resources from being installed on buildings erected on the lots or parcels covered by the deed restrictions, covenants, or binding agreements. A property owner may not be denied permission to install solar collectors or other energy devices based on renewable resources by any entity granted the power or right in any deed restriction, covenant, or similar binding agreement to approve, forbid, control, or direct alteration of property with respect to residential dwellings not exceeding three stories in height. For purposes of this subsection, such entity may determine the specific location where solar collectors may be installed on the roof within an orientation to the south or within 45 degrees east or west of due south provided that such determination does not impair the effective operation of the solar collectors.

(3) In any litigation arising under the provisions of this section, the prevailing party shall be entitled to costs and reasonable attorney’s fees.

(4) The legislative intent in enacting these provisions is to protect the public health, safety, and welfare by encouraging the development and use of renewable resources in order to conserve and protect the value of land, buildings, and resources by preventing the adoption of measures which will have the ultimate effect, however unintended, of driving the costs of owning and operating commercial or residential property beyond the capacity of private owners to maintain. This section shall not apply to patio railings in condominiums, cooperatives, or apartments.


2 Comments on “Florida Statute Guarantees your Right to Have a Clothesline!”

  1. Jack says:

    Glad to have this backing. Many of the RV parks are trying to forbid clotheslines and now, Morgan management, owners ob Blueberry Hill RV Park in Bushnell, FL is making an effort to do away with the clotheslines. Thanks for the info.

    Like

  2. James D. Wright says:

    I would like for the Florida Senator who prompted
    the Out side Clothes drying law, please give me
    your e-mail address so I can send you another
    question that I would like for you to answer to.

    Thanks for your kindness on this matter.

    Like


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