The Homeowner’s Association (HOA) is a group of residents who form and execute the rules of a planned community or a complex of buildings. These groups play a crucial role in improving the quality of life in your San Mateo neighborhood. Along with maintaining common areas of the neighborhood such as roads, and parks, the association also decides on matters related to owning pets, their breed, and their welfare.

Since pets require a great deal of attention and have a significant impact on the neighborhood, permission from the HOA of the neighborhood in this regard becomes mandatory. For example, if a dog bites someone, then the HOA can be held liable for the damages. In some cases, both the pet owner and the HOA have been sued.

These are some of the practices your San Mateo HOA can adopt to control pet liability.

Limit the number of pets in your neighborhood

This is perhaps the best practice. Limiting the number of pets that a tenant is allowed to keep in their house can prevent the number of pets from increasing. For instance, dogs and cats are the most popularly adopted pets. Restricting the number of pets to 3 dogs or 2 cats per household can help decrease the number of aggressive pets in the neighborhood.

Make leashes mandatory in public spaces

Even though pets like dogs are domesticated and friendly, at times they can be potentially dangerous. While it is not advisable to keep the pets tied all the time, putting them on a leash only on selective occasions can be an option. If it is made obligatory for the owners to leash their pets while on a walk, or in a public space, the potential chances of harm due to pets can be minimized.

Restrictions for dangerous pets

Some dog breeds, such as a Rottweiler or Pitbull, are more aggressive and can be more dangerous than other dog breeds. As part of the HOA, you should make it mandatory for residents to inform you and the neighbors if they own any such breed.

The HOA can also contact an Animal Control Officer, who can verify if any pet is too dangerous and unfit to live in your neighborhood. Additionally, if the behavior of any pet is threatening, the Board of Directors at the HOA reserves all rights to prohibit such animals. These rules can be enacted with the help of Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions (CC&Rs).

Holding the owners liable for pet damage

Since the pet belongs to the owner, they must be held liable for any damages or injuries caused by their pet. If a pet harms a tenant in your neighborhood, the owner should be held accountable, rather than the HOA neighborhood.

Pet liability insurance for owners

Even after taking the necessary precautions, there are chances of property damage or injury to a person when pets are involved. In such cases, it is safer to get pet liability insurance to deal with such incidents. Liability insurance can help protect you and your HOA neighborhood against any potential lawsuits. You can choose the coverage level according to the age, history, and breed of your dog.

The above measures can help you protect your San Mateo Homeowners Association in case of pet liability issues. For more information and guidance about pet liability policies, connect with us at Bayside Management.

Founded in 1982 in Marin County, Bayside Management has expanded to offer full-service San Mateo property management to the entire San Francisco Peninsula. We manage single-family properties, multi-unit complexes, commercial properties, and homeowner associations.