Condominium/Community HOA Pet Policies and Service Animals

Many condominium and community HOAs have specific pet guidelines or restrictions included in their governing documents.  Did you know . . . a community may not ban service animals.  A service animal is defined as an animal that has been trained in some way to assist a disabled person and is required in order to be able to use and enjoy the residence in the same way a non-disabled resident would.  The same is true for an emotional support animal.  While not specifically trained to assist a disabled person, an emotional support animal allows a person with a mental health related disability to function better or normally.  

To establish the need for a service animal, the HOA may ask only for information necessary to determine whether the animal is a necessary accommodation because of a disability and that the animal has some training specific to assisting a disabled person that sets it apart from an ordinary pet.

If your HOA or Board needs more information regarding federal and state laws, ADA and WA Human Rights Commission guidelines relating to service animals, contact your community's association manager.