Barcelona’s facades in focus: Fines of up to 750 euros for drying laundry outdoors

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Barcelona's facades in focus: Fines of up to 750 euros for drying laundry outdoors
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The practice of hanging clothes out of windows to dry is deeply rooted in Spain and is part of the daily urban landscape. However, in Barcelona, an old regulation is currently causing heated discussions and potential fines. What’s behind this, and what consequences await the residents of the Catalan capital?

Controversy over traditional laundry practice in Barcelona

In recent days, a debate on social media in Barcelona has caused a stir. The trigger was the news that the Barcelona City Council could fine those who hang their clothes on windows and balconies facing the external facade of residential buildings. This news caused outrage among residents, as drying laundry outdoors is a widespread and traditional practice in Spain.

However, many city administrations across the country have already enacted regulations that define coexistence in their areas. These regulations often prohibit hanging clothes outdoors to preserve the aesthetics of the cityscape and the visual harmony of buildings facing public streets. This also applies to residential buildings.

In Barcelona, one of Spain’s largest cities and a hub for tourism, this regulation is particularly relevant. In contrast, hanging clothes on windows or balconies facing an inner facade, such as courtyards, is still permitted.

Municipal Ordinance and Potential Fines up to 750 Euros

It is important to emphasize that this regulation is not new. The Barcelona City Council did not just recently begin imposing fines for hanging clothes outside buildings. In fact, the prohibition of drying laundry outdoors is already included in the “Ordinance on the Use of Public Roads and Public Space in Barcelona.” This was already approved by the city parliament in 1998 and came into force in January 1999.

Article 24 of this municipal ordinance, which deals with the cleaning and maintenance of buildings adjacent to public roads, states unequivocally: “It is forbidden to leave clothes hanging on facades that directly face the public road.” This leaves no room for doubt regarding the prohibition of hanging clothes on windows or balconies of a building that directly faces the public road.

Unknown Rules and Far-Reaching Prohibitions

Although these prohibitions may be unknown to many residents, as they are municipal ordinances often considered outdated, the same regulations also govern the prohibition of other common activities. This includes, for example, watering plants or shaking clothes out of a house that overlooks a public street. In these cases, this is only allowed at night between 10:00 PM and 7:00 AM, and always “with the necessary precautions to avoid causing inconvenience.”

The debate surrounding these rules gains momentum when it is discussed on news portals, especially due to the high fines associated with violations. Hanging clothes on an exterior facade can result in a fine of up to 750 Euros. However, it should be noted that this is the maximum amount. Minor offenses can range from 30 to 750 Euros. It is assumed that the higher amount will only be applied in exceptional cases or for repeated offenses.

This demonstrates how an old ordinance in the modern city of Barcelona, a vibrant tourist destination, still causes discussions and redefines the boundaries between tradition, aesthetics, and urban coexistence.