Cohousing-L Mailing List: Could I ask about dogs in your community?

[LScottr2go (LScottr2go]

Hi all,
    We are hammering out our pet policy as new move-ins.  Looks like the 
proposal we're considering has kitties being free-roaming, and, after looking 
at standard condo pet policies, dogs are not.  I wonder:  is this standard in 
cohousing?  Portland, OR, is "Dog-Town", a very dog-friendly place, and I 
wonder if such restrictive policies will make dog owners unlikely to want to 
live with us (we still have half our units to sell).  So my question is, are 
any of your communities setting dog policy on an individual basis - that a 
dog who's offending, scares kids, or owners who don't control their dogs and 
leave poop around, allow digging, and other such stuff are fined, and 
eventually roaming privileges revoked?  We don't have enough yard space for 
dogs to be anything but penned up during the day.  I don't have a dog, 
myself, but I'd hate to be deprived of the company of dogs if the policy is 
more restrictive than it absolutely needs to be.  Thanks for any input, info, 
or suggestions.

Linda Scott
Cascadia Commons Cohousing, Portland, OR

P.S.  Here's parts of the policy we're looking at - standard for condos, but 
I don't know if it's standard in cohousing:
3. Dogs shall at all times whenever they are outside a unit either be
confined on a leash held by a responsible person or be securely
contained by a fence (where allowed) on the owner's limited common
element.

4. All pets shall comply with all local laws including requirements for
registration, inoculation, noise control, use of a leash, etc.

5. All damage created by a pet is the sole responsibility of the pet
owner (or the property owner if the pet owner is a renter). Damage to
general or limited common elements will be repaired by the association
and reasonable repair costs billed to the property owner. Any damage
caused by cleaning chemicals or other such materials used by the pet
owner in the attempt to remedy such damage shall also be the full
responsibility of each pet owner (or unit owner, as specified above),
who shall pay the full cost of restitution or removal or replacement of
such damaged items.

5. Pet owners shall clean up after pets immediately and without
exception, including removal and disposal of excrement.

6. No animals shall be allowed in interior common spaces except those
assisting the physically challenged.

7. Pets may not create a threat, health hazard, or undue noise, or
engage in offensive behavior or create other offensive conditions.

Complaint Procedure. If a pet is being offensive or any of the above
rules are broken, the offended party should first talk with the pet
owner and request correction. If the offense continues, written details
should be submitted to the Board. The Board or its representative(s)
will discuss the problem with the pet owner and seek to reach agreement
on remedies. Further offenses or failure to reach an agreement may
result in the board's establishing consequences such as levying fines or
seeking removal of the pet.

Fine Provision. Pet owners (or the unit owner if the pet owner is a
renter) are subject to a fine of $10.00 per occurrence for violations of
this policy.

Pet Removal Provision. Repeated violations of this policy may result in
permanent removal of the pet from the property. In such case, the pet
owner (or the property owner if the pet owner is a renter) will be given
30 days' notice to remove the pet from the property. If the pet is not
removed by the deadline, a fine of $10.00 per day will be chargeable to
the property owner and subject to normal collection procedures
established by the association.

Right of Appeal. Appeals must be received in writing by the Board of
Directors before the notice deadline. If the pet in question belongs to
a renter, the appeal must be made by the property owner. Once an appeal
is received, the Board will schedule a meeting as soon as possible and
no later than 14 days to review the matter wit the pet owner and/or
property owner. No further fining will take place pending the outcome of
the appeal. The Board's decision on the appeal is final. If the appeal
is rejected, fines and other provisions become effective three days
following written notification to the property owner.

Collection Provision. All fines, costs, and expenses necessary to
enforce this resolution will be levied against the property owner and
shall be an assessment against the owner's property and subject to all
lien and collection powers of the Association.