Answered: Hot Topics on Pets in the HOA

Pets in the HOA. Almost everyone has a pet, and  almost everyone has an opinion on HOA Pet policies. We have taken the hottest topics on types pets in the HOA, pet policies, “scoop on poop,” and dealing noise disturbances from neighbors pets, and combined them into one article.

An important issue for homeowner associations is creating and managing pet policies. This can be a challenge for many reasons, including the fact that service animals and therapy animals are likely to become an important part of your HOA members lives, if they aren’t already.

Homeowners associations can develop their own rules for what kinds of pets HOA members can have, for example, as well as whether pets need to be “fixed” (spayed/neutered), the size or weight of animals allowed, whether pets must be leashed at all times, and more.

If you haven’t already, we strongly recommend consulting legal counsel and creating a sample pet policy before the issue of pets in your HOA needs to be addressed, especially regarding service animals.

Check out our Sample HOA Pet Policy ideas, and Service Animal Considerations.

But We Have a No-Pet Policy!

That may be true. However, your board may still be faced with a request to accommodate an animal for a community member living in an HOA with a no pet policy. 

An obvious allowance would include seeing eye dogs for the visually impaired. However it is becoming more and more common for animals to be requested for psychological disabilities. 

What should you do when you are asked to provide “reasonable accommodation”? We asked the Mulcahy Law Firm for their advice. Check out this article to make sure your HOA Pet Policy is in compliance with the Fair Housing Act.

Managing Pet Related Noise Complaints in Your HOA

Most dogs bark, some more than others. Some dogs bark a lot! We’ve even heard of peacocks being too loud for their neighbors to bear. Whatever the noise disturbance, if you’ve shared adjoining walls or lawns with someone, you’ve probably experienced some form of noise disturbance or complaint.

If your neighbors can hear your furry or feathered companion, you can be sure that your HOA Board is hearing from them, too. (Homeowners, check out our tips for reporting a barking dog and remaining civil with your neighbors!) 

While a constantly yapping dog may be an obvious problem for one resident, it may seem perfectly acceptable sound to the owner? We compiled a must read list for Board members to consider when crafting a policy that is fair and manageable.

Creating good policy is an important step to managing noise related complaints. You can further support pet-owners in your community by providing tips and tricks to help them manage their furry friends barking. If you want to empower residents to increase the peace in your HOA, check out our blog with ten great tips to stop dogs from barking, and share it on your own blog, in your newsletter, or on a community notice board.

The Scoop on Poop

Where there are dogs (and possibly peacocks) there will be waste. Uncollected poop in yards is not only a nuisance, it can create complex and serious problems for your association. It’s important to consider waste management and the implications for your HOA when waste isn’t managed properly, when creating a Dog Policy for your HOA.

Use Common Sense and Know the Law to Keep Pets and Kids Safe in the Summer

We love living in Arizona, but there is no doubt that our summers are hot, and that can be dangerous for kids and pets who get left behind in hot cars. To address this issue, the Arizona State Legislature created a law that protects “good Samaritans” who rescue animals and children trapped in dangerously hot cars. There are important steps that need to be taken, however, to ensure that the rescuer is protected by the law. We encourage you to learn about the law and considerations, and to share it with your HOA Board and members.

Stay in Touch with HOA Link

If this article was helpful, consider downloading HOA Link, our mobile app! It’s the go-to option for homeowners to stay in direct communication with PDS. Homeowners can make payments, upload photos of structural needs and violation reports. HOA Link is available on iTunes for Apple and Android.