Is your Santa Clara HOA in the process of developing a pet policy for its residents?
Allowing pets in a community might seem like a no-brainer because about 62% of U.S. households live with a pet. However, with pets comes plenty of challenges, including noise control and property damage.
As such, HOA management needs to think carefully about the issue before developing the community's pet rules. Before you go ahead and allow HOA homeowners to move in with their pets, keep these dos and don'ts in mind:
Don't: Allow All Kinds of Pets
Having a pet-friendly policy makes the community more appealing to prospective HOA property buyers, so it's not wise to completely ban all kinds of pets. However, that doesn't mean the community should be open to all pets.
Restricting some types of pets is necessary for preserving the community's appeal. It's not uncommon for HOAs to ban ownership of unusual pets, such as snakes, iguanas, and tarantulas.
You might need to consult a pet expert to help you draw an exhaustive list of pets that are allowed and disallowed in the community. You might also need to give a reason why certain types of pets are disallowed, just in case a dissatisfied HOA homeowner needs an explanation.
Do: Stay Compliant With Relevant Laws
As an HOA board member, you might feel that it's within your rights to ban pets if you so wish. Unfortunately, some laws can force you to act differently.
A good example is the Federal Housing Act, which gives people living with disabilities the right to live with emotional support and service animals. Not only that, property developers and owners are required to provide a suitable environment for these animals.
As you go about crafting your community's pet regulations, be sure to keep all relevant laws in mind. Creating a regulation that violates federal, state, or local law will land you in legal trouble.
Don't: Encourage Violations
Setting pet rules is one thing. Enforcing them is another thing.
Where there are rules, there are bound to be rule breakers. Some homeowners will violate the community's pet policies. It's upon the management to effectively address the violations by levying fines, ordering homeowners to get rid of banned animals, or even pursuing an eviction.
Pet policies aren't set in stone. They can, and should, change as needed to meet the evolving needs and preferences of the HOA's residents.
For example, if an increasing number of homeowners want to own a certain exotic pet that's banned, there will be a strong need to review the policy and consider lifting the ban. This might mean taking measures to ensure the community has the necessary facilities to accommodate the pets.
Living Harmoniously With Pets in a Community
Living with pets in a community has advantages and drawbacks, but there's no doubt that allowing them in your Santa Clara community is the best move. The key is to create policies that promote harmonious living for everyone in the community.
Your community can also benefit from the input of an association management company. PMI SouthBay can help you with your financial, administrative, and building management needs. We can also customize our services to suit the unique needs of your Santa Clara community.
Contact us for more information.
