Abu Dhabi: The sight of laundry flapping on balconies can be a put-off and Abu Dhabi residents have been urged once more to avoid leaving their clothes out to dry in a way that tarnishes the appearance of buildings and city streets in general.
While municipality inspectors will issue a first-time warning to residents, repeat offences can result in a fine that could reach up to Dh1,000, warned Khalifa Al Rumaithi, director of public health at the Municipality of Abu Dhabi City.
In a recent campaign launched by the municipality, inspectors found that many residents continued to dry their clothes on balconies in plain view of main roads, thus spoiling the overall appearance of buildings and residential areas in general.
Nearly 146 warnings were issued as part of the campaign that focused on residences in Bani Yas, Mussaffah and Mohammad Bin Zayed City. Posters calling for people to shun the practice have also been displayed next to elevators in buildings, while watchmen and security guards have been asked to remind residents to refrain from drying laundry in plain view of the streets.
Al Rumaithi recommended that residents use alternative techniques to dry laundry, such as driers or clothes racks. “[In the meantime], the municipality is following up all warnings issued to occupants of buildings and villas to ensure their compliance with these laundry-drying laws,” he said.
The municipality works actively to ensure that the capital’s general appearance is preserved. Another campaign launched last month saw municipal inspectors remind residents not to install satellite dishes and television antennas on balconies or windows.
Similar directives were also issued by the Sharjah Municipality in January this year, with warnings of Dh250 fines. Ajman Municipality and Dubai Municipality have also repeatedly urged residents not to hang laundry out to dry in public view.
