Seattle Condo Pet Restrictions

2nd February

2009

written by robgraham

Seattle Condo Pet Restrictions So you are thinking about buying a condo in Seattle, but you don’t want to leave Fifi behind. As pet lovers know, a move that doesn’t involve your best friend(s) is out of the question. So what kind of limitations can you expect to find when you buy a condo and more importantly how do you find out what the rules are before you find the Seattle condo of your dreams.

The facts are that there’s no one answer to the pet question. Home Owners Associations (HOA’s) are independent bodies and made up of officers and members from the owners of the units in the building or complex. As such, they can take on the individual personalities of the members and reflect very unique concerns. They make up the rules and they can specify absolutely no restrictions on pets, or decide not to allow pets at all. Having said that, there are a few common guidelines.

HOA’s will put rules in effect in an attempt to limit the damage and nuisance to common areas and other occupants.

Cats:

Most associations are ok with cats, but most cap the number at two. So if you have 80-90 cats, you may want to purchase a house and seek professional help.

Dogs:

Dogs are a much more difficult question. Again the rules run the gambit. Associations are trying to be more open minded. Seattle is a pet friendly town, but some associations have been burned in the past. Again many associations will cap the limit allowed to two dogs. It is also common to have size restrictions. A common number that I have seen is 35 or so pounds. It is also not uncommon to see limits on breeds, pit bulls, and rottweilers are among those that I have seen specified as unwelcome.

Exotics Pets:

It is hard for associations to specify every kind of pet a potential owner might have. The bottom line is, if it poses a threat to safety or the enjoyment of the complex by your neighbors (think smell) then you are going to run into trouble.

Other things to consider:

Homeowner Associations are living breathing bodies. They can change their mind at any time. Just because they allow something right now, doesn’t mean a night of barking won’t change their mind.
Associations may charge a pet deposit similar to a renter. Such deposits are usually used to offset any additional maintenance to common areas like cleaning and landscaping that might result from pet owners. Fees like this are not common, and usually nominal.
Often listing information available to the public doesn’t have pet information on it. It isn’t that they are trying to hide the information. There is just so much information about the complex that they are trying to convey, that they sometimes don’t include the less critical items. Be sure to let your agent know what pets you have or if you hope to get an Irish Wolf Hound for Christmas. Agents have easy access to more detailed listing information that usually tells what restrictions currently exist. If not, it is easy for us to make a few phone calls and find out for you.
Be sure to have your agent include an addendum to the purchase and sale agreement that will allow you to review the rules and regulations and withdraw your offer if you find something, anything, that you are not happy with.

The truth is that it isn’t hard to find a place that both you and your pets will love. It just requires a little extra homework on you agent’s part and some forethought.