Why you can't wash your car in the yard

Where you can and cannot wash your car according to the law

A cleanly washed car is not only aesthetically pleasing, but also environmentally friendly! How to do it this way correctly, while saving time and money and not violating the norms of current legislation? Let's analyze the answers to the questions - is it possible to wash a car in the yard, at the dacha, in your own or public garage, near the river, etc.

It seems that all these places are suitable, but this opinion “lives” until the first fine! You should know that this issue is regulated by law.

For the implementation of measures to bring a vehicle into an aesthetic state in the wrong place, the law threatens with administrative liability in the form of fines, the amount of which often significantly exceeds the cost of paid car wash services.

Legal basis of the issue

National regulation

There is federal legislation that is mandatory for the constituent entities of the Russian Federation. It is this that prohibits washing cars in unauthorized places. There are no articles in the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation that directly indicate prohibitions of the above-described actions.

Indirectly, all types of vehicle washing where prohibited are administrative offenses, since they:

They encroach on the integrity of the environment and natural resource management.
They encroach on the health, sanitary and epidemiological well-being and morality of the public.

Throughout the country, the law prohibits washing vehicles near water bodies or in environmental zones. This is explained by the fact that automobile chemicals, as well as petroleum product residues contained in washed-off dirt, end up in river waters, are absorbed into the soil and even flow down into the sewer system, thereby harming natural objects and humanity.

Regional legislation

Local authorities determine a list of permitted and prohibited places for washing vehicles. Almost every region of the country has a specific law or other legal regulation regulating the processes of washing or cleaning vehicles in public places.

The same regulations usually specify answers to the questions of where a car cannot be washed by law, what facilities are considered specially designated places for washing vehicles, and what they must be equipped with in order to comply with the standards.

In almost all cities, car washing is strictly prohibited in the following public places:

on the street;
in the courtyards of high-rise buildings;
in the local area of housing complexes;
in parks and squares.

In addition, municipal regulations may specifically list additional prohibited areas. Most often these are alleys, playgrounds, places for sports, other residential areas, as well as areas adjacent to water intake structures.

Why can’t you wash your car in the courtyard of an apartment building?

Washing a car on the street, including in the courtyard of a residential building, is a violation of the rules of landscaping. The explanation is not only damage to the environment, but also a certain discomfort experienced by neighbors living nearby.

Any car carries road dirt and particles of various petroleum products such as gasoline and oil. In addition, cleaning agents are used for thorough cleaning. And all this is washed off onto the asphalt and lawns where people walk or children run, and also evaporates into the air, spoiling the atmosphere and emitting unpleasant odors.

At the same time, no one or anything is prohibited from wiping the headlights or windshield of a car . This can be done with the help of a small bottle of water and a rag, which the law is silent about, but therefore allows.

Is it possible to wash a car in a river?

Legislation provides for liability in the event of a harmful impact on water bodies, including rivers and lakes, which may occur as a result of human actions.

The Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation considers car washing to be an action that can cause irreparable damage to the environment, in particular, to any body of water. Therefore, you cannot wash your vehicle in the river!

Is it possible to wash a car near a private house?

In some way, calmly (at night, so that the neighbors don’t see) and without additional costs, you can wash your car near your own private home or in your garden.

But in this case, there is no need to get carried away with automotive chemicals, which contain substances harmful to people and soil, and take into account the proximity of the neighbor’s property, as well as the presence of environmental facilities, because they can be contaminated by sewage flowing from the car.

Consequences of washing vehicles in unauthorized places

The amount of fines imposed for such illegal actions depends on the qualification of the violation and the territorial factor. Washing cars in the water protection zone, which includes territories adjacent to the coastline of rivers and lakes, is considered an administrative offense in the field of the environment. Liability for such actions is established by the Code of the Russian Federation on Administrative Offenses and ranges from 500 to 1000 rubles (and in some cases up to 40 thousand rubles) .

If the vehicle is washed in unauthorized places established by regional authorities for the region under their jurisdiction, then the size of the fine varies depending on the locality; for washing a car in the yard, you can receive a fine of up to 5 thousand rubles .

Where can you legally wash your car?

According to the law, vehicle washing is permitted:

In specially designated areas, which include car washes and asphalt areas in the industrial zone.
On the territory of individual properties - in garage complexes and garden plots, but subject to certain rules.

The main requirement for all specially designated areas is the presence of a sewer drain with a filtration system and running water supply, i.e., used water should not enter the soil and general drains untreated.

One of the most acceptable options is a car wash, the owner of which provides the equipment and water supply. Similar in nature are asphalt sites in an industrial zone, which, as a rule, are equipped with a drainage system and a water supply system with running water. Both of these options are ideal, but not numerous.

A place near the garage can also be used as a legal place for washing , but only if there is an area equipped according to all the rules. Otherwise, even if you organize some separate corner where all owners will wash their cars, but there will be no required drainage with a filter system, there remains the possibility of breaking the law.

How to avoid responsibility?

You can avoid punishment for washing a car in the wrong place only if no one sees this process and complains, which is unlikely, since people now know about their rights and ways to protect them.

Knowing the rules of law well, you can minimize the penalty by writing in the explanation specific facts indicating that, for example, the car was examined to identify damage hidden under dirt, and was not washed. In this case, it is important that the cleaning is carried out without the use of chemicals.

There is another method worthy of attention, which is better considered with an example. One citizen, fined for washing a car in the wrong place, did not abandon the case, but initiated legal proceedings as a plaintiff whose rights were violated by the fact that in his city there are no places where he could wash his car for free. The court ruled in favor of this citizen, since indeed, local authorities are obliged to create free places for car washing, due to the lack of an alternative (the presence of only paid services), which limits the legal rights of citizens.

What advice should I give to car owners?

If it is still difficult to find a place specifically designed for washing your car yourself, it is better to limit yourself to the small things - wipe the headlights and windshield. If you take the risk of washing your entire car, you can run into a fairly large fine, the minimum amount of which has been increased in all regions in 2019 and is measured in thousands of rubles, despite the fact that the cost of washing a car at self-service car washes starts from 100 rubles.

Is it possible to wash a car in the yard of a house in Russia?

A distinctive feature of the modern public is exceptional legal literacy. Today they are familiar with those norms of legislation that are sometimes unknown even to law enforcement agencies. So, especially in the summer and before the first cold weather, not very conscious, but very enterprising citizens, who do not miss the chance to save on a car wash, prefer to clean up their acquired wheeled friend in their own yard.

But few of them are familiar with the rules governing the rules of living in apartment buildings, as well as the rules for using adjacent or courtyard areas. And today we will talk about whether it is possible to wash car windows and the car itself in the yard and why you should not do such washing.

Is it possible to wash a car in the yard?

So, you bought a car (or exchanged it for another) and want to keep it clean. A logical question arises: is it illegal to wash a car in a yard?

The inadmissibility of washing cars in yards, unless, of course, it is a private house with a separate yard, is also indicated in administrative legislation. Thus, the punishment for such an offense, in particular in the form of a fine, can be many times greater than the amount saved at the car wash.

We will discuss below what penalties and fines are provided by law for washing a car in the yard.

This video will tell you how to wash your car:

In the administrative law - code, this point is regulated by Art. 18.3. This article, of course, does not directly indicate the fact of washing cars in yards, but it is quite applicable, since it talks about violations of water protection regimes that can lead to pollution of watersheds. If you decide to wash your car in the yard, this article provides for fines:

for private citizens - up to a thousand rubles;
for officials - up to two thousand;
for organizations - up to twenty thousand.

The question of what this article has to do with washing cars in yards seems logical only at first glance. But if you look into it, everything is not only logical, but also quite applicable to this situation. Dirt and fuels and lubricants mixed with auto chemicals, washed off from the car, together with waste streams enter city sewers, and from there into the reservoirs of water collection facilities, respectively, can lead to their pollution.

We will discuss below what acts, in addition to the laws prohibiting washing a car in the yard, are in force.

Rules for living in apartment buildings

Today, almost all residents of high-rise buildings know about their existence. The yard in them is defined as a place for common use by residents for walking, relaxing and playing with children.

Thus, washing a car will violate the rules of landscaping, and will also cause discomfort to neighbors, and, of course, harm the environment.

Below we will tell you what to do and where to complain if your neighbor washes his car in the yard:

Acts of local government

Often, gaps or inaccurate wording in federal legislation are filled with the help of regulations of local authorities. Thus, such norms can be established by rural, city, district or regional authorities. Such norms generally imply penalties.

So, as a clear example, washing a car in a courtyard in Moscow or St. Petersburg can cost from 3 to 5 thousand.
If this is a city square or park, then such a pleasure can cost 40 thousand.

Such acts of local authorities exist today in many cities and regions. By the way, if villagers think that this measure does not affect them, they are deeply mistaken. Washing your car on the street in a village can also result in a fine.

Thus, washing cars is prohibited everywhere and this act is subject to a fine in the following places:

within the streets;
in park areas and squares;
near bodies of water;
within the courtyard areas of apartment buildings;
within housing complexes.

Where there will be no fines

In this case, we are talking about light cosmetic cleaning in the car, there is no other way to explain it. Let's decipher what is meant by such cleaning:

if the owner of the car decides to wipe the windows, headlights, license plates with a damp car wipe;
dry interior cleaning of the car, for example, using a vacuum cleaner, napkins;
External dry cleaning of the car, for example, using car polish or wipes, is also not prohibited.

Thus, any cleaning during which dirty water from washing a car will not pollute the environment or cause discomfort to neighbors is allowed.

Washing within garages and civil buildings

There are still garages in the yard, and if the owner manages to wash the car in the garage without causing trouble or discomfort to anyone, then there is no need to be afraid of a fine. But if you wash your car near the garage, you may well receive a complaint addressed to you, and, as a result, a fine.

This video will also tell you about fines for washing a car in the yard:

Is it possible to wash a car in the courtyard of an apartment building?

from Den 09.26.2019, 19:37 145 P 56 D Comments

Every car owner cares about the cleanliness of his vehicle. Many people are willing to wash it themselves to save money. But where to do this? Is it possible to wash a car in the courtyard of an apartment building? This question is relevant for a large number of drivers, especially in big cities.

Why does the law prohibit washing a car in certain places?

This ban is closely related to the environmental aspect. The fact is that when cleaning a car, various auto chemicals are used, which can harm the environment. In addition, detergents can irritate the skin, mucous membranes and cause allergies in other people.

For these reasons, it is prohibited to wash your car in:

parks, streets, squares;
in the courtyards of apartment buildings;
public places, pedestrian areas;
near bodies of water (closer than 50 m);
farmland and forests.

What law governs this issue?

Despite the fact that there is no clearly regulating rule in the law that would prohibit washing a car in the yard of a house or other above-mentioned places, federal legislation still prohibits car owners from such actions.

This issue is subject to several branches of law: administrative, environmental, and sanitary standards. Each subject has the right to introduce its own individual prohibitions and regulate the issue of sanctions for violation of existing legal norms. The monetary penalty for an offense is different in each region. As a rule, the fine does not exceed 1-5 thousand rubles.

Why is it illegal to wash the yard?

It is prohibited to wash a car in the courtyard of an apartment building, because the adjacent territory is the property of all residents. You can use the territory at your own discretion only with the consent of all residents of the house. Thus, its use should be based on common needs and interests. For example, holding small holidays, cleanup days, collective tree planting.

It is prohibited to violate anyone's rights. Ensuring the lawful washing of a car in the courtyard of an apartment building is very difficult, since it is impossible to obtain consent from everyone.

There is one more limitation - the green spaces that have been created on the site. They may have a special status, so it is necessary to ensure their cleanliness and safety.

You cannot wash your car in a pond or river.

The law prohibits washing a vehicle near or in a body of water. Vehicles are generally prohibited from entering the protected coastline due to the high groundwater level. This is due to the fact that when washing, the driver can introduce toxic substances into the pond, which will negatively affect the quality of life of the animals in the reservoir, plants and people who will swim in it.

This act is punishable by a fine, the amount of which varies depending on the region. This information can be found in local authorities or on thematic Internet resources.

Is it possible to wash a car in a private home?

But you can wash your car near a private house. Of course, if this territory is owned by the car owner. It is important to ensure that water does not flow into the neighbors’ territory, use hypoallergenic products or regular ones, but in small quantities.

It is also important not to violate the rights of other owners and residents of a private home. That is, if one of the household members is allergic to detergents, then it is necessary to select the safest formulations.

Where can you wash your car in the city?

In the city, the vast majority of drivers live in apartment buildings. Where can they wash their cars? There are several options:

In your own garage. But not everyone has it.
Automatic car washes. Cleansing occurs without human intervention, by an automatic mechanism. This method is somewhat rough, so it can damage the car body. However, this is one of the fastest and most popular ways to keep your car clean.
Touchless car washes are more gentle. The machine supplies them with water and foam in turn, without touching the vehicle personally. This car wash costs more than the previous procedure.
Self-service car washes. Any owner can use them to wash the car themselves. Space and special tools with chemicals are provided. This method is relatively inexpensive. Sometimes the client pays only for renting the premises (his own tools and equipment), but in most cases, tools and equipment are also included in the payment. In addition, the quality of washing depends on the car owner himself. The safety of the car also depends on it.

Self-service car wash is one of those few places where a city dweller can get his car in order. However, not all small towns have them. Then there are only two options left: a classic car wash or buying a garage to keep your car in order.

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Why you can't wash your car in the yard

Hello, in this article we will try to answer the question “Why you can’t wash your car in the yard.” You can also consult with lawyers online for free directly on the website.

In addition, regional regulations contain information:

Which places are considered specifically designated for car washing?
Requirements for fittings and equipment for places intended for washing cars.
Fines for non-compliance with legal requirements.

A neat and well-groomed car is a kind of calling card of the owner, emphasizing not only his high status and sophisticated style, but also his love of order and cleanliness.
After all, every owner strives to ensure that his vehicle always attracts the admiring glances of others and has an excellent appearance. Therefore, cleaning and washing the car is mainly of an aesthetic and protective nature. On the one hand, the cleanliness of the car is pleasant to both others and the owner, on the other hand, removing dirt and foreign impurities from the body prevents corrosion processes and premature destruction of the car body.

Is it possible to wash a car in the yard: fine, punishment, law

I believe that there should be alternative washing places where you can wash your car yourself, as for example in America, where for very cheap you can wash your car yourself in special places with a hose.

But not all actions are prohibited. You can wipe down your windshield and headlights. Pour water into a plastic bottle and take a rag. It is not prohibited to wipe glass and headlights, because the law says nothing about this point.

Washing cars within garage complexes and cooperatives can lead to larger fines, since the cooperative is a legal entity, the fine will be appropriate. It is for this reason that stationary car washes and repair stations are equipped in the territories of newly organized cooperatives. Self-service car washes equipped with a water supply and drainage system, as well as a water filtration system. In essence, these are ordinary complexes in which the owner is given the opportunity to wash his vehicle himself.

The fines and administrative penalties provided for such violations are the same in all regions of the country and apply in its most remote corners.

Local self-government bodies develop and implement regulatory legal acts regulating the procedure and rules for washing, and also determine the list of permitted and prohibited areas.

There are many car washes open in populated areas; car owners can always use their services. However, many car enthusiasts prefer to wash their iron horse with their own hands, although legislation prevents this initiative.

Why can’t you wash your car in the courtyard of an apartment building?

For example, I like to wash my car myself and sometimes I wash it in the yard with a bucket, but after washing I pour the dirty water into the sewer, so that if the police arrive, you can say that I’m wiping it and not a drop of water fell on the ground, and the used water is in sewerage

First, you need to decide what you want from the service provider, then submit a written complaint. If your demands are not satisfied, you need to go to court. Follow the Consumer Protection Law.

Administrative legislation does not contain a rule that directly indicates a ban on car washes.

A clean car is always nice, and no one will disagree with the fact that a car has to be clean. However, a car can remain clean if it is parked in the passenger compartment, but if it is used, especially on our roads, cleanliness can only be achieved by regular water procedures.

A police officer does not have the right to issue a fine if the car owner was cleaning the car. For example, he can wipe the dashboard, steering wheel, windows, headlights, etc. with wet wipes. It is also not against the law to dry wash the interior. This means that you can use a compact vacuum cleaner.

The car washing procedure must take place in a strictly defined place - at a car wash, using special means. Another reason for choosing such a place is the presence of drains for dirty water, which prevent it from getting into the soil.

Car washing is an integral part of car care, and it is much more comfortable to move around in a clean car. Many car owners are no strangers to washing their car themselves, and often do it right in the courtyards of multi-story buildings.

However, it is worth considering that such actions are illegal and may result in a large fine for the violator. Therefore, it is necessary to determine what exactly the punishment is for and what regulations it is regulated by.

A car is a full-fledged member of the family and an assistant in everyday life. However, owning a car involves not only its daily operation, but also appropriate maintenance.

However, there is Article 18.3., which talks about violations of water protection regimes, which can lead to pollution of watersheds.

Where there will be no fines In this case, we are talking about light cosmetic cleaning of the car, there is no other way to explain it.

Almost all regions of Russia have a law or regulatory act that regulates the processes of cleaning or washing cars. We are talking about those situations when you wash your car in public areas.

Firstly, there may be acts of local government bodies that establish sanctions in relation to any act; for example, I remember that in Moscow, it seems the Duma passed a law according to which car washing is allowed only in special territories (read: car washes).

Let us turn again to the municipal document - the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Sverdlovsk Region dated June 14, 2005 N 52-OZ, Article 18.

Indirectly, all types of vehicle washing where prohibited are administrative offenses, since they:

They encroach on the integrity of the environment and natural resource management.
They encroach on the health, sanitary and epidemiological well-being and morality of the public.

It is worth remembering that the law does not provide for a fine for a dirty car. Traffic police inspectors can only issue a warning for its improper appearance.

Indirectly, all types of vehicle washing where prohibited are administrative offenses, since they:

They encroach on the integrity of the environment and natural resource management.
They encroach on the health, sanitary and epidemiological well-being and morality of the public.

If we take our capital and region, then for the fact that a driver washes a car in places that are not intended for this, he receives a fine of up to five thousand rubles. The amounts are approximately the same for our Northern capital, so those who think that their yard is an excellent place to wash their car may be subject to large fines. There are similar fines in many other regions, for example, in the Smolensk region.

For those who believe that their actions do not bring anything bad, you should think about the fact that children play in the yard, greenery grows, and dirt with resins and petroleum products is very harmful to them, however, dirt harms everyone. After all, none of the drivers will argue with the fact that in addition to dust, very dangerous substances are washed off the car during washing. In addition, the detergents themselves are harmful auto chemicals.

For example, a car owner may be driven by a desire to save money on the services of a professional car wash or by the fear that his car may be damaged during such a wash. According to most car enthusiasts, any place is suitable for washing your car yourself: near reservoirs, rivers or your own yard.

It should be noted that for violation of regional laws, each city has its own amount of fines, which is several times higher than the cost of visiting a car wash. If one visit to a specialized car wash complex costs the owner 200-350 rubles, then the minimum fine established in one of the provincial towns is 2 thousand rubles, and in the capital it is 5 thousand.

These legislative acts, among the main issues regulating the improvement of the city and compliance with all environmental protection standards, contain rules for washing cars.

All car washes must be equipped with special cleaning systems and filters that allow you to rid the water of contaminants before draining it. Therefore, when it gets into the soil and general drains, such water will no longer pose a threat to others.

There are not many places where a car owner can do a self-wash without the threat of getting a fine for washing a car in the courtyard of a residential building:

self-service car washes
area in the courtyard of your private house
separate country plot, dacha
garage in a garage cooperative

Car owners ask the question: “Is it possible to wash a car in the courtyard of an apartment building or private building?” Those who decide to bring a vehicle into proper condition in the courtyard of an apartment building and other places not intended for this should be aware of fines. Very often, car enthusiasts will have to part with an amount that far exceeds the cost of car wash services.

It is impossible to record a violation of the law and receive a fine for washing a car in the yard if:

the owner wipes the outer surfaces of the car with a damp cloth
The interior is cleaned using a car vacuum cleaner
the car is rubbed with polish or other means

This is exactly the question that arises for many vehicle owners who do not want to spend money on a professional car wash. The ban on car washing in places not designated for this purpose is contained in federal legislation.

However, this regulatory legal act contains an indirect indication of the inadmissibility of such actions, since by committing them, the car owner causes harm to the environment.

I couldn't find it on the Internet. I heard that you can wash your car at your dacha. But you can’t do it near entrances and bodies of water, as you pollute the environment.

The driver’s actions cause damage to nature and have a detrimental effect on the natural object. That is why the law prohibits this.

According to Article 8.13 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation, liability is assumed for violations of the water protection regime, which can lead to pollution of a water body or lead to other possible harmful phenomena. Another dangerous factor is the special detergents that are used to clean the car. Since water alone does not cope well with contamination, for effective washing it is necessary to use these products. And they also pose a threat to human health and the environment.

Is it possible to wash a car in the yard or near a pond?

If you refer to the law, then it is prohibited to do so. But what if a car enthusiast has a private yard and wants to wash his car there? You will be disappointed. It is forbidden to do this even on your own private property, because it is punishable by a considerable fine.

Where can you legally wash your car?

The Code does not directly prohibit washing cars, but there are a large number of veiled instructions. They say that the moment an owner washes his car in an open area, he pollutes the environment. Legislation in environmental protection zones does not allow car washing. Therefore, under no circumstances should you do this near a public garden or even just on the street. All chemicals are absorbed into the ground. This negatively affects the entire nature. This leads to another prohibition.

It is prohibited to wash personal vehicles in the area of the reservoir. This action has a detrimental effect on the condition of water, which can then not only be released through pipelines, but also irrigate fields. If there is a sign “Water Protection Zone”, Article 8.42 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation will be applied to the violator with a fine of 3,000 to 4,500 rubles. If there is no sign, according to Article 8.13 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation, the penalty from the motorist will be from 500 to 1000 rubles.

Is it possible to wash near a private house?

There may be bodies of water and environmental protection objects near a garden, cottage or private house. In addition, dirty water along with chemicals should not get into the neighbors’ yard, as this is also punishable by law. There is a chance to wash the car on your own property, but it all depends on whether the neighbors send a complaint to the relevant authorities.

The law prohibits washing a vehicle in the following places:

on city streets;
near the residential complex;
close to bodies of water;
at various sites and parks.

Solution

It is recommended to wash your car at specialized car washes or at least on paved areas. This way, chemicals will not be able to get into the soil and harm the environment. It is allowed to wash the car in the garage complex. In such cases, there must be a sewerage system, and when water enters the drain, it must go through a filtration system (which is practically impossible in practice). If the outflow of water is not organized in any way, the fine will be 5,000 rubles. Also, about 5 thousand will be punished when washing is carried out in a place classified as prohibited. These include a street, a courtyard of a house, the territory of a housing complex, a parking lot, a park, a public garden, and so on.

Another option is to use a dry wash. Dry car washing is done with microfiber cloths and a special cleaning agent without the use of water. It is legal and not subject to fine. Another option is self-service car wash services, where you do everything yourself and thereby save a little. You will spend less money here (usually 150-200 rubles) than at a regular car wash (costs about 250-300 rubles) and you can take care of your car yourself.

Should you wash your car yourself? It’s one thing - when you have a private house and have a Karcher, then you can wash the car yourself. But I wouldn’t wash it near the lake/garage/house with a bucket. Because this kind of washing creates invisible micro-scratches on the body. Due to the ingress of sand and dirt. If the car is not new, then you can save money, but I wouldn’t risk washing a new car - it will be worse later.