| |
|
| |
| THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA |
| |
| SENATE BILL |
|
| |
| |
| INTRODUCED BY McILHINNEY, SOLOBAY, FOLMER, WASHINGTON AND FARNESE, JUNE 8, 2011 |
| |
| |
| REFERRED TO URBAN AFFAIRS AND HOUSING, JUNE 8, 2011 |
| |
| |
| |
| AN ACT |
| |
1 | Prohibiting certain governing bodies from restricting persons |
2 | who occupy dwelling units from using solar clothes-drying |
3 | devices. |
4 | The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania |
5 | hereby enacts as follows: |
6 | Section 1. Short title. |
7 | This act shall be known and may be cited as the Right To Dry |
8 | Clothes by Solar Energy Act. |
9 | Section 2. Legislative findings and purpose. |
10 | The General Assembly finds and declares: |
11 | (1) That prohibiting or limiting the ability to sun dry |
12 | laundry has the effect of discouraging individuals from |
13 | conserving energy. |
14 | (2) There is a significant energy cost savings |
15 | associated with the use of various methods of direct solar |
16 | drying of laundry. A typical household electric dryer |
17 | accounts for approximately 10% of the electrical use in a |
18 | typical home. |
|
1 | (3) The use of direct solar-drying devices is one small |
2 | method to help reduce our dependency on foreign energy |
3 | sources. |
4 | Section 3. Definitions. |
5 | The following words and phrases when used in this act shall |
6 | have the meanings given to them in this section unless the |
7 | context clearly indicates otherwise: |
8 | "Dwelling unit." A building that is used as a primary |
9 | residence, including the grounds on which the building is |
10 | situated. |
11 | "Governing body." The governing body of a municipality, |
12 | homeowners association, unit owners association or condominium |
13 | owners association. |
14 | "Solar clothes-drying device." A clothesline, drying rack or |
15 | other equipment used for the drying of clothes directly by the |
16 | sun. |
17 | Section 4. Prohibited action. |
18 | (a) General rule.--A governing body shall be prohibited from |
19 | imposing any ordinance, regulation or other restriction that |
20 | prohibits a person who occupies a dwelling unit from drying |
21 | clothes with a solar clothes-drying device at the dwelling unit. |
22 | (b) Exception.-–Notwithstanding subsection (a), a governing |
23 | body may prohibit a solar clothes-drying device in order: |
24 | (1) To protect access to an adjacent building. |
25 | (2) To ensure the proper emergency evacuation of |
26 | buildings. |
27 | (3) To protect aesthetic values of the building and any |
28 | surrounding dwelling units. |
29 | Section 5. Construction. |
30 | Nothing in this act shall be construed: |
|
1 | (1) To restrict a governing body from ensuring that a |
2 | solar clothes-drying device adheres to existing zoning |
3 | requirements, including, but not limited to, dwelling unit |
4 | setback restrictions, height limitations or other similar |
5 | local zoning regulations. |
6 | (2) To supersede the legal authority of any governing |
7 | body to adopt and enforce any law, rule or regulation on any |
8 | matter, other than the installation and use of solar energy |
9 | devices on residential property. |
10 | Section 6. Effective date. |
11 | This act shall take effect in 60 days. |
|
