Pet restrictions are found in nearly every HOA declaration in Florida. The restrictions are written by lawyers, but the limitations placed on pets are usually decided by developers or marketing departments.
Some pet restrictions are species-based. Example: No dogs or cats, but alligator shoes are ok.
Some pet restrictions are based on breed. Example: Cats okay as long as they are not hairless. Dogs okay as long as they are not Rottweilers, Pittbulls or, hotdogs
The majority of pet restrictions seem to be weight based. Example: No pet that weighs more than 35 pounds.
If you think this is silly, what may be sillier is that all of these restrictions are likely to hold up in court!
Florida’s Condominium Act, Section 718, gives condo developments tremendous latitude in pet restrictions. As long as the rules are clearly spelled out in the governing documents and consistently enforced throughout the association, they will usually be upheld.
When asking about restrictions keep in mind: there are almost always restrictions. The likelihood that NO pet restriction exists in the governing documents of a condominium is rare like an albino rattlesnake.
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