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It's a Dog's Life Pet Rules & Restrictions

It's a Dog's Life

Daisy Okas works for the American Kennel Club and obviously loves dogs, so when she was looking for an apartment for herself and Olive, her six-year-old beagle, there was no negotiation—she had to live in a pet-friendly building.

When Barbara Fox, president of Fox Residential Group in Manhattan, and her husband decided to move from their single family home into a building, they had to find one that would accept their four dogs and two cats as well.

Animal Fair magazine just named New York City—with its vast array of pet spas, hotels, and grooming salons—one of the most pet-friendly tourist destinations in the country, and both Okas and Fox found buildings that welcomed their furry family members. However, both say that finding a building that accepts pets in New York City is not as easy as it sounds—in many residential buildings, pets simply aren’t allowed.

Pet Peeves

Why wouldn’t a co-op building want to allow Fido and Fluffy to take up residence? “There are noise and mess factors,” says Fox. “And of course there’s a risk factor that a dog might harm someone.”

Michael Signet, director of sales at Manhattan-based brokerage Bond New York says that about half the buildings in New York are pet-friendly, but there aren’t any definite statistics. A number of buildings tentatively allow animals, but come with various restrictions. “Some buildings allow [dogs], but the owner must have a $500,000 liability policy in case the dog bites,” says Signet. “They may also require that a dog weigh under 20 pounds, or may allow each household to keep only one dog.”

According to Darryl Vernon, an attorney with Vernon & Ginsburg LLP in Manhattan, the strictest pet rules are enforced in co-ops—though condominiums can also restrict pets by putting boundaries into their house rules. Vernon says that it’s much less common for a condo to be as restrictive as a co-op, but that some condo buildings have adopted pet regulations of their own.

Co-op boards may require that a prospective owner’s dog attend an interview to see how the dog behaves and interacts before agreeing to let his owner into the building. If Fido passes muster with the board and the shareholder and pets are welcomed into the building, there may be additional restrictions on where the dogs or cats are allowed to walk (like in common areas, for example) and where and when they may be let off their leash.

Fox, however, believes that restricting pets can actually have a negative impact on a building’s bottom line. “I represent a penthouse apartment that is in a no-pet building with great outdoor space,” she explains. “During the first week [the property was on the market], there were five offers of the asking price from potential buyers who had pets. Because they needed a buyer who didn’t have a pet, the owner ultimately had to wait a year to sell the apartment and got $3 million less than the asking price. It’s a bad thing, because it shrinks the horizon for buyers for any building.”

Pet Law Lowdown

Companion animals are allowed by law. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), New York Civil Rights Law § 47 provides that, “No person shall be denied admittance to and/or equal use of and enjoyment of any public facility solely because said person is a person with a disability and is accompanied by a guide dog, hearing dog, or a service dog.” This applies to housing and includes service dogs for a wide range of physical, mental and medical impairments.

According to the ASPCA website, “Federal and local laws also provide protection for persons with disabilities who have service animals. Under the federal Fair Housing Act, people with disabilities have been successful in arguing that, in certain circumstances, landlords must allow them to have a pet who provides them with emotional support as a reasonable accommodation. In this situation, the pet does not have to be qualified as a guide dog, hearing dog, or other type of service animal. Disabilities do not necessarily have to be physical and may include such conditions as depression. Therefore, if a pet isdetermined to be medically necessary by your health care provider, a court may hold that thepet must be permitted to live in your home with you. Similar rights may also exist under state and city law.”

“Boards should treat this very seriously and understand that the laws that protect the disabled are not trumped by any rules of the board or co-op or condo,” says Vernon. “If a person has a disability and an accommodation animal is allowed under the law, a board cannot simply say ‘We do not allow such an animal.’ In short, a board must reasonably accommodate all disabled people.”

In New York City, there’s also the issue of the so-called “Pet Law”—otherwise known as Administrative Code of New York City § 27-2009.1. It describes the rights of tenants—typically in rental buildings—to keep their pets under certain circumstances, despite lease provisions to the contrary, in order to prevent abuses by building owners.

“In its plainest reading,” says Vernon, “the Pet Law provides that once a pet lives in a multiple dwelling—which is a building with three or more residential units—open and notoriously—meaning not hidden from the building’s owners, their agents, and on-site employees—for three or more months, then any no-pet clause in a lease is considered waived and unenforceable.”

“It’s very fair,” Vernon continues. “People and companion animals all over the city faced eviction and most always there was no claim that the animal was causing any harm. To the contrary, many neighbors feel safer and often like the presence of companion animals.”

There have been legal battles fought in court over some of the grayer areas of the Pet Law. For example, once a “Pet-Law’ed” animal dies, can an owner then obtain a new pet to replace the deceased pet, or does his or her landlord’s no-pet policy go back into effect for his or her apartment? If a building resident keeps a pet “openly and notoriously” and his or her landlord doesn’t act, can that resident then get a second pet without fear of legal action being taken by his or her landlord?

In response to these questions, The League of Humane Voters of New York City (“LOHV-NYC”), an animal protection political action committee with 6,000 members citywide, strongly supports Intro 13, commonly known as the “Pets in Housing Bill.” Intro 13 provides that once a landlord has waived a no-pet clause and allowed a rental tenant to keep a companion animal or animals in his/her home, the clause is waived for the duration of the rental tenant’s occupancy—not just for the lifetime of the harbored companion animal(s).

“New Yorkers should not have to choose between their apartments or their pets,” says Patrick Kwan, New York director of the Humane Society of the United States. “It is a decision that no one should have to make. Intro 13, the Pets in Housing Bill, will remedy the very real problem of New Yorkers having to choose between the pets whom they already have and love or the apartments they live in.”

Pet Problems vs. Owner Responsibility

Even with the tightest of restrictions, and legitimate companion animals, things can sometimes go wrong. “The most common problem with pets in a multi-family building is noise,” says Vernon. “But that’s curable. For example, a good animal behaviorist can make sure a dog does not bark excessively.”

Fox says it’s up to owners to be responsible. “A responsible pet owner needs to address what their neighbor’s complaint is. For example, a few days after we moved into the building my dog nipped at someone out of fright and I was told to—and did—carry her for awhile because I needed to prevent that problem from happening again.”

And if bites or other attacks, like Fox’s, were to happen, the liability rests on the pet owner. “The first course of action with any problem is to speak to the managing agent, who runs the show, and a letter is usually sent to the pet owner expressing the complaint,” says Signet. “It could escalate to the board, but it’s very rare they proceed to trying to evict the person. It’s usually something that can be worked out.”

Lisa Iannucci is a freelance writer, published author and mother of three living in Poughkeepsie, New York.

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16 Comments

  • Bob Marino, president NYCdog.org on Monday, June 30, 2008 10:19 PM
    The New York Council of Dog Owner Groups / NYCdog (pronounced NICE-DOG) represents almost 50,000 responsible dog owners throughout NYC. We will gladly work with any rental/coop/condo building to devise workable, enforceable pet rules that will allow residents to own pets while also INCREASING property values. While president of NYCdog, I also have been a real estate consultant for over 25 years. We invite anyone to contact us and to check us out. Our websites are NYCoffleash.com and NYCdog.org (under construction). Email us at RAMnyc2000@yahoo.com. Responsible pet policies can increase property values as much as 10% by increasing the potential market for renters and buyers. Dogs and cats do not damage properties as a rule, and licensed/vaccinated dogs that are socialized are safe. In fact, dog bites are at an all time low in NYC because people have learned proper animal care. Good policies help everyone and including those afraid or allergic to pets. Our motto is Responsible, Respectful Sharing of Our City.
  • Please be very careful about the use of the phrase "companion animal". Under the law, a companion animal is NOT a service animal. Companion animal is most often applied to a PET. A service animal is specially trained to perform tasks for its disabled owner and has much different rights under the law.
  • Visit "Resources -- Access" on Guide Dogs for the Blind's website for information about laws protecting people with disabilities who have service animals. Our resources section also provides information on responsible dog ownership.
  • I live in a Condo building, which is 2/3 own by a single owner. Pets are allowed in the building, but the board wants to have a policy that the pets should be using the service elevator. If a pet owner doesn't comply with this rule, what should be done.? Please reply at cer@corcoran.com
  • Gary Andriotis (All Area Realty Services) on Thursday, November 13, 2008 11:48 AM
    Excellent Article. Great Info!!
  • It's silly to ban dogs and cats from coop buildings. Rental buildings are a different story -- the interior of the apartment can be damaged by the pet and the landlord may not want to deal with that. But coops? The Board has no ownership of the interior space and so really the only concern is noise and behavior in common spaces -- and both are able to be dealt with by responsible pet owners. Otherwise, the no-pet rules have been used by Boards against tenants they want out for other reasons. We all know that some boards can be tyrannical, and these lifestyle rules tend to be their favorite whips.
  • I live in a wooded area with trails all along the Bronx River parkway. I lost my job and dad at the same time, suffer from depression and anxiety just recently been diagnosed with cancer. For four years now I have been requesting a small service dog. I now have Four letters from doctors. The main board member is against any dogs in this building. I have requested help from HUD and others to no avail. I first moved into this building prior to it becoming a co-op some 35 yrs. prior with two children two dogs and a cat. Dogs and cat all had bathes every Friday weather they need it or not. Having a small dog to love and have me get up in the mornings to walk would be a godsend.
  • i feel that if a person wants pets then they need to live in a pet friendly environment. I have a neighbor who wants a big service dog but she is unable to clean up after the dog, there is no yard so the dog will be relieving itself in the common area. she has 4 cats and now want s a dog. The bldg. has a no pet policy because of the small space and no where for a dog to be let out. She is handicapped and can't walk a dog, or clean up ater it. She also can not afford to hire someone to do so. This should not be the neighbors responsiblity. What do you think?
  • I bought my co op because no dogs are allowed. I am deathly afraid of dogs and shouldn"t have to live in fear because people treat their animals like people. I was bitten by a dogs who's owner said it was friendly and wouldn't hurt a fly. I learned my lesson. I do not want to live any where near any knid of dog and I should have that option. I also do not want to contend with dog owners who do not clean up after them. I do not want to worry about walking to my car and stepping in some ones dog mess.
  • I live in a rental building for almost 3 years now. The policy when i moved in was no dogs allowed. About 6 months ago they changed the oplicy to dogs allowed now for a 500 deposit. I have seen like 6 dogs in the building now so i decided to get a small maltese. The super told the landlord and i was advised to remove my dog . He said that new policy is only for new tenants. That is so unfair. Why do only the new tenants allowed to own dogs and we cant. So unfair. I dont want to get rid of my dog i am attached. What do i do?
  • Do most pet-friendly coops in NYC charge dog owners an extra fee? What is the rationale for the fee?
  • I find that lower priced coops do not allow dogs. This is very discriminatory to less wealthy people who love animals or may need the support of a pet. Many coops apartments are empty because people are tired of spending their life savings only to be told what to do in their home. Legislation is needed.
  • I'm very curious what dog policies exist in ohter coops. I'm President of the Board in a 56 unit building in Manhattan. We're considering limiting size to 20 pounds or number of dogs to one, requiring dogs to be leashed when not in their units... We're not sure what is "typical,' if that exists. What do other buildings do?
  • Is it legal for a co-op to implement a fee of $25 per month for having a dog? When the co-op was questioned as to how the money would be used, the answer was "it was for the privilege of having the dog"?
  • Dear Bob Marino, I would like you to answer the same question for me as was posted before. "Is it legal for a co-op to implement a fee of $25 per month for having a dog? When the co-op was questioned as to how the money would be used, the answer was "it was for the privilege of having the dog"? My situation, I am a shareholder in Brooklyn co-op for over 15 years. The co-op is pet-free Coop on paper but there are are about 10 dogs in the building including the super himself. During an April's co-op Board meeting with shareholders, it was stated that the number of dogs has increased and complaints about allergies, noise, etc. from residents have risen as well. The fee is to discourage new tenants/shareholders to move in with any more pets and so all the shareholders with OLD or NEW pets must pay $25 month to be fare for all. As per the Pet Law it provides that once a pet lives in a multiple dwelling units—open and notoriously for three or more months, then any no-pet clause in a lease is considered waived and unenforceable. >>> As per Pet Law, moving forward is the co-op allowed to implement any named dollar amount anyway on old pets at any moment in time?
  • is it legal for condo board members to impose fines on animal owners at their discretion...raise them whenever they choose?