If you’re on an HOA board, then you’re probably aware of your community’s pet policies. There are several rules regarding pets that HOAs can consider. Some HOAs have a policy not to allow any pets; others allow pets, but only of a certain breed or size.
One thing to keep in mind is that no matter what pet policies you have in place, you need to be aware of and comply with the Federal Housing Act. There are regulations about service animals and you need to follow them to avoid legal issues.
Exceptions aside, HOAs typically have several areas in which they can create restrictions about pets that aren’t service animals. For example, many HOAs that allow dogs require owners to keep them on leashes. Some allow free roaming in specially designated areas, like the dog park.
It’s a good idea for your HOA community to establish rules about picking up dog poop. You can help community members comply with this rule by making it easy for them to clean up after their dogs during walks. Install garbage cans throughout your community as well as poop bag dispensers.
Other rules regarding pets that you may want to consider have to do with the size or weight of the animal allowed. You might also want to establish rules about what type of breeds your community allows. Some HOA communities even require that pets be spayed or neutered and have up-to-date vaccinations. Many HOA communities also require pet owners to register their animals with the association. This allows them to be able to better enforce any regulations established and to keep track of the pets within the community.
It’s important to include any pet policies in your HOA community’s governing documents. These policies should be readily available to anyone living in the community. Include the rules regarding noise violations or damage that occurs because of the pet. If a homeowner violates any of these rules, it’s important to reach out and notify them. They may not know about the rule or the issue at hand. By reaching out directly, they can correct the problem quickly, without you having to make it a bigger issue.
When it comes to pet policies, the most important thing is to follow whatever the governing documents say. Treat all of the homeowners in your community fairly and make sure you don’t violate any fair housing laws that apply to service animals.
