When it comes to pets, dogs commonly raise more issues than cats in common interest developments, or should I say dog owners. Now do not get the idea that I don’t like dogs, or their owners. I am an animal lover, but not everyone is. And even as an animal lover, I do not care for inconsiderate pet owners who let their pets do bad things or bother others.
Here is one of the questions I recently received relating to dog matters.
“Hi Beth – I’m a board member of a 17 unit complex in California…our CCRs say owners can have 2 dogs which must be kept “inside the unit”. Does “inside the unit” include private patios? Or does this mean actually inside the door of their unit. Thanks so much.”
The answer would really depend on what the association governing documents say because there may be definitions that are pertinent to the inquiry, but it is likely the board has the authority to impose a rule interpreting the CC&Rs language to mean inside the dwelling. It is also likely that the “unit” definition describes the dwelling itself, and not the patio, but only a review of the documents would disclose this.
