“POLICY ON PET OWNERSHIP”
Section 227 of the Housing and Urban-Rural Recovery Act of 1963 provides for the ownership of common household pets in federally assisted rental housing units built exclusively for occupancy by the elderly and the handicapped. The following Mandatory HUD Rules are based on the guidance provided in HUD 4350.3 Rev-1 Change 1, Exhibit 6-4.
Mandatory Rules [24 CFR 5.350]
Inoculation – Pets need to be inoculated in accordance with state and local law.
Sanitary Standards:
a) Pet owners are required to exercise and allow pets to deposit waste only on area not landscaped;
b) Pet owners are forbidden from walking pets or allowing them to deposit waste in areas outside designated exercise and waste deposit areas;
c) Pet owners are required to remove and properly dispose of all removable pet waste by placing it in a sealed plastic bag and disposing of it in the trash dumpster;
d) Pet owners are not required to take pets elsewhere to exercise or deposit waste other than designated areas stated above
e) Owners of pet using litter boxes are required to dispose of waste from the litter boxes and must maintain litter boxes in a sanitary manner by placing the litter in a sealed plastic bag and disposing of it in the trash dumpster, not more frequently than once each day; and
f) The litter boxes shall be kept inside the resident’s dwelling unit and must be cleaned not more frequently than twice a week by disposing of the used litter in a sealed plastic trash bag, but not more frequently than twice each week.
Pet Restraint – All household pets must be under the direct control of a responsible individual while on the common areas of the property. All pets must effectively and appropriately restrained and under the control of a responsible individual while on the common areas of the property. (Do not tie up your pet outside your unit and leave it unattended.)
Registration – Pet owners must register their pets with the Bernalillo County Housing Department before the pet is brought on premises and must update the registration annually. Registration must include the following:
a) Certification of inoculation;
b) Information sufficient to identify the pet and to demonstrate that it is a common household pet; and
c) Name, address, and phone number of at least one responsible party who will care for pet if owner dies or is unable to provide care.
Discretionary Rules
- Residents will not be denied public housing assistance and HUD New Construction assistance because they own a pet providing they meet the rules and regulations of the housing department concerning pet ownership.
- Common household pets as authorized by this policy are cats, dogs, fish and birds.
- Cats and dogs shall be limited to small breeds where total weight shall not exceed twenty (20) pounds and total height shall not exceed twelve (12) inches. Assistance dogs are excluded as to height and weight.
- All cat and dog pets shall be neutered and/or spayed, as verified by a veterinarian, cost to be paid by the owner. Pet owners will be required to present to the Housing Department a certificate or health from their veterinarian verifying required annual vaccines.
- The Bernalillo County Ordinance as enforced by the Animal Control Department concerning pet will be complied with.
- Pets shall be quartered in the units and dogs shall be kept on a leash and under the direct control of the owner when taken outside. No doghouses will be allowed on the premises (Do not tie up your pet outside your unit and leave it unattended).
- Dishes or container for food and water will be located within the resident’s apartment. Food/and table scraps, (bones) will not be deposited on the owner’s porches or yards.
- Two pets per family, (no more than two dogs or two cats).
- Visitor’s pets will not be allowed in resident’s apartments.
- Pets will not able allowed in the Common Areas-Social Rooms, Community Center, laundry rooms, etc.
- If pet disturbs other residents by barking, scratching, whining, or other unusual noises or threatening behavior, the tenant owning to pet will be asked to vacate or get rid of the pet.
- This policy is subject to change at any time by the Housing Department.
- If the Department has to clean up behind the pet, there will be a $5.00 charge per occurrence.
- Any damages caused by pets to the unit will be charged to the tenant.
- A pet deposit equal to the Total Tenant Payment (not to exceed $300.00) or $50.00, which ever is higher, will be charged.
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Signature Date
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Bernalillo County Housing Date | 
