ECA Pet Policy -- Suggest House Rules Revision

The following revision of the Elizabeth House Rules suggested and recommended by the ECA Pet Policy Committee is part of a larger report that was submitted to the ECA Board of Directors on October 13, 2009. The report and the following House Rules revision can obtained from the Management office or the front desk in the lobby. Text set in bold font highlights suggested changes.

SECTION 15. PETS

A. Permissible Pets

All animals are prohibited pursuant to Article X, Section 3 (e) of the Bylaws, except caged birds and a “small, orderly” dog or cat. Small dogs are defined as those that do not exceed 25 pounds at full maturity. Within reasonable limits, service dogs are exempt from the weight rule. [Dog owners, including renters, who have dogs exceeding the specified 25 lb weight limit at the time this policy is enacted, or whose dogs at maturity will exceed this limit, have 30 days from the effective date of the policy to register their dogs and become exempt from this weight limitation.]

B. Registration

Each pet and service dog shall be registered with Management on forms provided by Management and each pet inoculated as required by law. A pet owner must file the Elizabeth registration form, including a photo of the pet, prior to move-in or, in the case of an established resident, upon possession of said pet. If a pet owner fails to register the pet within 15 days of the owner bringing the pet into the building, the Board of Directors will levy a $50 fine. Visiting pets that will be cared for by a resident owner must obtain permission in advance from Management and register the pet at least 48 hours in advance of the pet coming into the building. Visitng pets also are limited to 25 pounds at maturity. Maximum stay for a visiting pet should not exceed two weeks. New renters may not have pets. It is the responsibility of the non-resident owners to ensure that their renters comply with the no pet policy before a renter moves in.


C. Hand-Carried or Short-Leashed

Pets shall be hand-carried or short-leashed by the pet handler’s side in common areas including elevators. No more than a single pet may be on an elevator at one time. An occupant accompanied by a pet shall yield the right-of-way to occupants not accompanied by pets both in elevators and in common areas. Service dogs and their owners shall have priority for elevator use over another occupant with a pet.

D. Curbing of Dogs and Cats

Pets and service dogs shall be curbed on any condominium property, including the garage levels, common areas and adjoining sidewalks and driveways. Anyone accompanying a pet(s) in any common area, including the grounds of the Elizabeth, must carry appropriate materials (plastic bags, paper, etc.) so that cleanup can be done promptly and effectively. If an accident occurs, the pet owner or pet caretaker must clean up the property immediately or the pet owner will be assessed a $50 fine for each pet accident as determined by the Board of Directors. In the event of recurrence, without immediate cleanup, the Board has the option of declaring the animal a nuisance and order that it be removed from the condominium.

E. Removal

Pets are permitted by resident owners and renters requiring a service dog [and renters who already have pets living at the Elizabeth when the new House Rules go into effect. However, once the exempted pet dies, the renter will not be allowed another.] only as long as they behave in such a manner as not to disturb or be offensive to other residents. If a pet disturbs any resident by whining, barking, biting or acting aggressively, and the disturbance is not corrected after written notice from the Management, the Board of Directors may declare the pet a nuisance and order that it be permanently removed from the condominium.

F. Responsibility

Pet owners shall assume full responsibility for all personal injuries or property damages cause [sic] by their pets. The Association assumes no responsibility for any loss, claim or liability of any kind relating to a resident’s pet.