| |
|
| |
| THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA |
| |
| HOUSE BILL |
|
| |
| |
| INTRODUCED BY BENNINGHOFF, CLYMER, CREIGHTON, CUTLER, FLECK, GIBBONS, GROVE, HORNAMAN, KORTZ, KOTIK, McILVAINE SMITH, MILLER, MURT, MYERS, ROAE, SCAVELLO, SWANGER, WATERS AND YOUNGBLOOD, DECEMBER 9, 2009 |
| |
| |
| REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON URBAN AFFAIRS, DECEMBER 9, 2009 |
| |
| |
| |
| 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 |
|
1 | typical home. |
2 | (3) The use of direct solar-drying devices is one small |
3 | method to help reduce our dependency on foreign energy |
4 | sources. |
5 | Section 3. Definitions. |
6 | The following words and phrases when used in this act shall |
7 | have the meanings given to them in this section unless the |
8 | context clearly indicates otherwise: |
9 | "Dwelling unit." A building that is used as a primary |
10 | residence, including the grounds on which the building is |
11 | situated. |
12 | "Governing body." The governing body of a municipality, |
13 | homeowners association, unit owners association or condominium |
14 | owners association. |
15 | "Solar clothes-drying device." A clothes line, drying rack |
16 | or other equipment used for the drying of clothes directly by |
17 | the sun. |
18 | Section 4. Prohibited action. |
19 | (a) General rule.--A governing body shall be prohibited from |
20 | imposing any ordinance, regulation or other restriction that |
21 | prohibits a person who occupies a dwelling unit from drying |
22 | clothes with a solar clothes-drying device at the dwelling unit. |
23 | (b) Exception.-–Notwithstanding subsection (a), a governing |
24 | body may prohibit a solar clothes-drying device in order: |
25 | (1) To protect access to an adjacent building. |
26 | (2) To ensure the proper emergency evacuation of |
27 | buildings. |
28 | (3) To protect aesthetic values of the building and any |
29 | surrounding dwelling units. |
30 | Section 5. Construction. |
|
1 | Nothing in this act shall be construed: |
2 | (1) To restrict a governing body from ensuring that a |
3 | solar clothes-drying device adheres to existing zoning |
4 | requirements, including, but not limited to, dwelling unit |
5 | setback restrictions, height limitations or other similar |
6 | local zoning regulations. |
7 | (2) To supersede the legal authority of any governing |
8 | body to adopt and enforce any law, rule or regulation on any |
9 | matter, other than the installation and use of solar energy |
10 | devices on residential property. |
11 | Section 6. Effective date. |
12 | This act shall take effect in 60 days. |
|