Poughkeepsie, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 12 § 12-84
Clotheslines
Operative Text
No clotheslines, drying racks, poles or other similar devices for hanging clothes, rags or other fabrics shall be erected or maintained in a front yard, a side yard or a front porch abutting a street. If there is a practical difficulty or unnecessary hardship in drying clothes elsewhere on the premises, a permit shall be issued by the Chief Code Enforcement Officer permitting the use of said front or side yard for such purpose upon approval of and finding by the Chief Code Enforcement Officer that drying of clothes elsewhere on the premises would create a practical difficulty or unnecessary hardship. If a permit is denied, the applicant may appeal to a hearing officer as defined in Division 3 of Article II . The provisions of this section shall be applicable to existing conditions.
Section 12-84 of the Poughkeepsie Code of Ordinances prohibits clotheslines, drying racks, poles, and similar fabric-drying devices from being placed or kept in front yards, side yards, or front porches that face a street. An exception exists when drying clothes elsewhere on the property would create a practical difficulty or unnecessary hardship — in that case, a permit may be issued by the Chief Code Enforcement Officer to allow use of those otherwise restricted areas. Anyone denied a permit has the right to appeal to a hearing officer as outlined in Division 3 of Article II, and the rule applies to conditions that already exist, not just new installations.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Poughkeepsie Code ch. 12 § 12-84, compliant property operators ensure that no clotheslines, drying racks, or similar devices are installed or left in place in front yards, side yards, or street-facing front porches. If a tenant or the property itself presents a genuine hardship that makes drying clothes in other areas impractical, operators are generally aware that a permit process exists through the Chief Code Enforcement Officer to authorize limited use of those areas. Keeping records of any permits obtained — and ensuring that drying equipment is only placed in conformance with those permits — reflects the kind of documentation that supports ongoing compliance with § 12-84.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 12-84 of the Poughkeepsie Code of Ordinances affects where fabric-drying equipment may be used on a rental property, restricting front yards, side yards, and street-facing porches unless a permit has been granted. If drying clothes in permitted areas of the property creates a genuine practical difficulty or hardship, tenants may be aware that a permit application can be submitted to the Chief Code Enforcement Officer, and that a denial can be appealed to a hearing officer under Division 3 of Article II. Tenants with questions about how this provision applies to their building or who believe a violation is affecting them may find it useful to contact the City of Poughkeepsie's code enforcement office or a local tenant-rights organization for general guidance.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 7, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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