Can you hang out washing on the façade or on the balcony?

Question

José Manuel Alburquerque · Accepted Answer

It depends on the rules of your owners' association (the “comunidad de propietarios”) and the ordinances of your municipality. The façade is a common part, so the by-laws or the internal rules can prohibit hanging washing on balconies and windows facing the street and require the light well, the back gallery or the roof terrace to be used instead. In Barcelona, the municipal ordinance that prohibited having washing hung out on façades facing directly onto the street lost that article with the new ordinance on civic behaviour in public spaces, in force since 15 February 2026. The reformed ordinance does not include that prohibition, but the ordinance on the uses of the urban landscape is still in force and prohibits installing or keeping on terraces and balconies any objects it does not allow, which could extend to a drying rack. What the owners' association can decide Although balconies and windows form part of each flat, the façade is common. That is why the by-laws, or the internal rules that the owners' general meeting approves by a simple majority, can prohibit hanging washing on the main façade or on balconies facing the street and require it to be done in the light well, the back gallery or on the roof terrace. These rules are also binding on tenants. If there is no rule at all, in principle you can hang washing on your own balcony, provided you do not disturb the neighbours. Installing a fixed drying rack anchored to the façade is a different matter. Like any element that alters the external appearance of the building, it needs a resolution of the owners' general meeting, in addition to any municipal procedure required. Municipal ordinances Each town council can regulate this, so it is worth checking your municipality's ordinance. In Barcelona, the ordinance on the use of public roads and spaces prohibited having washing hung out on façades facing directly onto the public highway. That article was repealed by the new ordinance on civic behaviour in public spaces, in force since 15 February 2026. The reformed ordinance does not include that prohibition, but it does include these others: Shaking out clothes, rugs or similar items from windows, balconies, terraces or other openings when this may affect or dirty the street. Watering plants from windows, balconies or terraces, except between 22 h and 7 h and taking care not to disturb passers-by. Both are minor infringements, with fines of up to 750 euros. By contrast, the ordinance on the uses of the urban landscape, which prohibits installing or keeping on the surfaces of terraces and balconies any objects or elements other than those it allows, remains in force. It does not mention washing hung out to dry, but it could apply to a drying rack left in view on a balcony facing the street. If washing drips onto the neighbour below Hanging washing in the light well or on an inner balcony is allowed if the owners' association's rules do not prohibit it. If water often drips onto the washing, balcony or window of the neighbour below, the “Código Civil de Cataluña”, the Catalan Civil Code, allows that neighbour to demand that it be prevented, like any other significant nuisance coming from a neighbouring flat. If it keeps happening, the owners' association can also act as it would against any activity contrary to coexistence, with a formal demand from the president and, if necessary, a court claim. The practical approach is to talk about it first and, if that does not solve it, to ask in writing. Before suing, the law requires an attempt at negotiation.