Other sample HOA pet policies include requiring pets to be neutered or spayed and requiring that all pets remain updated on their vaccinations and shots. It is also normal to require owners to clean up after their pets and shoulder liability for any damage or injury their pet may cause. You can require owners to keep their pets on a leash or in a cage outside of their own homes. You may be wondering, “Can HOA enforce pet limit?” In general, associations can limit the number of pets homeowners can keep.įinally, a good pet policy should state that homeowners are responsible for their pets at all times. Another common restriction has to do with the number of pets. For example, as part of your HOA dog rules, homeowners can keep dogs as pets, but no dog must go over 50 pounds. You can also add an HOA pet weight limit or size limit to your policy. If you allow birds in your community, for instance, you can prohibit certain breeds such as eagles and vultures. You can even take it a step further and restrict the breeds. For example, dogs and cats are permitted, but snakes and monkeys are not. Many communities regulate the species homeowners can keep as pets. Such limitations are often referred to as reasonable restrictions. The specifics of these homeowners association pet restrictions can vary from community to community, but they generally follow the same basic types. If you don’t already have a pet policy in your association, now is the time to create one. Pet policies and, by extension, homeowners association dog rules address all of these issues. Furthermore, aggressive pets can pose a threat to the health and safety of community members. Noisy pets can also interfere with people’s right to quiet enjoyment. A messy or dirty community is certainly not appealing, and neighbors will start to complain sooner or later. This is especially true when it comes to the most common type of pet: Dogs. Let’s face it - pets can be messy and noisy. Part of this is imposing HOA pet rules so that everyone in the neighborhood remains happy. Fundamentally, a homeowners association’s primary function is to preserve property values by maintaining the community and enforcing rules. Why is that?įirst and foremost, it is imperative to know what the purpose of an HOA is. But, the fact of the matter is, homeowners associations generally can regulate pets in the community. They offer companionship and, for some people, are totally non-negotiable. An HOA’s bylaws and CC&Rs should outline the association’s authority when it comes to enforcing pet restrictions. Next, homeowners should check their association’s governing documents. According to Civil Code Section 4715, HOAs must allow homeowners to keep at least one pet. In California, for instance, associations can’t have a no-pets policy. Remember that these laws take precedence over any other provision or policy in your community. Homeowners who have a problem with their association’s pet policies should first look to federal and state laws for guidance. Some HOA communities even go as far as to prohibit pets entirely, though not all state laws allow this. Generally speaking, associations do have the power to impose pet rules.
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