Definition
The HOA's rules on pets — types, numbers, leashing, and waste — balanced against fair-housing accommodation requirements.
A pet policy governs animals in the community — allowed types and sizes, number limits, leashing, and waste cleanup. Reasonable pet rules protect shared spaces and reduce conflicts.
Importantly, pet rules must yield to fair-housing law: assistance and service animals are not "pets" and generally must be accommodated even where pets are restricted. Boards should enforce pet policies consistently while handling accommodation requests carefully to avoid fair-housing liability.