BD100 Fine Warning Over Roadside Laundry

Residents who hang washing over roads or pavements risk a BD100 settlement bill, the Northern Area Municipality has warned.The council said clothes lines, racks and laundry left beyond the edge of a home or shop count as unlawful use of public space.

They are treated in the same way as unlicensed car shades, barriers and makeshift fences.

In a social media post, the municipality said these cases usually carry fines of between BD50 and BD300. Offenders can settle by paying one-third of the top fine —BD100.

The rule covers washing, poles, lines and racks that jut over a pavement, street or other shared area.

Municipal workers can order residents to take them down. The items can also be removed at the owner’s cost when the warning is ignored.

Bahrain’s Public Roads Occupation Law separately allows fines of between BD20 and BD500 for putting items on roads or pavements without permission. Courts can also order payment of twice the due fee and the cost of clearing the site.

Laundry kept wholly within private land would not normally count as road occupation. The breach arises when it hangs over public ground, blocks the way or takes up part of a road or pavement.