Ontarians will soon be able to air their linen in public.

Premier Dalton McGuinty is to announce today that clotheslines can no longer be banned in subdivisions or almost anywhere else in the province.

In a bid to curb the use of energy-sucking dryers, the new regulation will overrule neighbourhood covenants – part of the mortgage agreement between many developers and homebuyers – that outlaw clotheslines because they're considered unsightly.

The regulation, to take effect today, will not only prohibit new bans but also wipe out most that already exist, a provision that angered the province's building industry.

It will apply to free-standing and semi-detached homes and most row houses.

Highrise condos and apartments won't be affected for now. The province wants more consultation about them to deal with safety and other concerns.

"The premier wanted to move quickly on this because it's a simple way to help families save money and help to save the environment," said a government official. "We're always looking for opportunities to help people find ways to conserve energy and fight climate change."

The announcement will come as Toronto Hydro launches a giveaway of 75,000 clotheslines through four retail chains.

Each Saturday and Sunday from April 26 to May 11, retractable lines for indoor or outdoor use, worth $13 to $15 each, will be handed to the first 500 shoppers at some Home Depot, Wal-Mart, Costco and Zellers locations. Details can be found at torontohydro.com.

Dryers account for 5 to 6 per cent of Ontario's household electricity demand. An average machine consumes about 900 kilowatt-hours of energy each year and results in the discharge of up to 840 kilograms of air pollution and greenhouse gases. Each dryer adds about $90 a year to a household's electricity bill.

The new regulation comes under the province's Energy Conservation Leadership Act, which empowers the government to remove barriers to conservation, including covenants and municipal bylaws.

McGuinty's move, following a 60-day consultation period, was urged by many elected municipal officials and environment groups.

Ontario's chief conservation officer, Peter Love, recommended overriding the bans last November. Across North America, the issue has spawned an advocacy movement known as "Right to Dry."

But the group that represents the province's housing industry said the regulation should not be retroactive.

All new developments could be clothesline-friendly but existing bans should not be overturned, said Victor Fiume, past-president of the Ontario Home Builders Association and general manager of Oshawa-based Durham Homes.

"It's taking away a right from people who knew (a ban) was in place and purchased a home because of that," Fiume said.

Clothesline bans are imposed in 20 to 30 per cent of the province's subdivisions, and are part of the legally binding contract between builder and buyer, he said. "Is this what government should be doing – overturning contracts signed by parties voluntarily?

"It's a slippery slope to arbitrarily remove a covenant between builders and buyers."

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Instead of an "arbitrary" government move, it would be better if opponents of the bans sought a court ruling against them. But that has never happened, he said.

In any case, Fiume said, the new regulation is a non-issue because few people will use clotheslines in any case. "With today's lifestyle, no one has the time or inclination to hang their clothes outside to dry."

The new regulation is just a first step, said Chris Winter of the Conservation Council of Ontario. "The overwhelming majority of people say it's a good move and are solidly behind it. That doesn't mean the overwhelming majority will dry every piece of clothing on a clothesline. But this is a start."

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