Skip to Main Content

Pet Policy

More 

The purpose of this policy is to establish clear guidelines for ownership of pets and to ensure that no applicant or resident is discriminated against regarding admission or continued occupancy because of ownership of pets. It also establishes reasonable rules governing the keeping of common household pets. 

EXCLUSIONS:
Animals that are used to assist persons with disabilities are excluded from the Pet Policy. Assistive animals are allowed in all public housing facilities with no restrictions other than those imposed on tenants to maintain their units and associated facilities in a decent, safe, and sanitary manner and to refrain from disturbing their neighbors. See "Fairburn Housing Authority Service/Assistance Animal Policy".

Pets must be registered with FHA before they are brought onto the premises. 
Registration includes documentation signed by a licensed veterinarian or state/local authority that the pet has received all inoculations required by state or local law, and that the pet has no communicable disease(s) and is pest-free. The registration must be renewed annually and will be coordinated with the annual reexamination date.

Pets will not be approved to reside in a unit until completion of the registration requirements.

FHA will refuse to register a pet if: 

  • The pet is not a Common household pet. Common household pet means a domesticated animal, such as a dog, cat, bird, or fish that is traditionally recognized as a companion animal and is kept in the home for pleasure rather than commercial purposes. 
    The following animals are not considered common household pets:
    • Reptiles
    • Rodents
    • Insects
    • Arachnids
    • Wild animals or feral animals
    • Pot-bellied pigs
    • Animals used for commercial breeding
  • Keeping the pet would violate any pet restrictions listed in this policy.
  • The pet owner fails to provide complete pet registration information or fails to update the registration annually.
  • The applicant has previously been charged with animal cruelty under state or local law; or has been evicted, had to relinquish a pet, or been prohibited from future pet ownership due to pet rule violations or a court order.
  • The PHA reasonably determines that the pet owner is unable to keep the pet in compliance with the pet rules and other lease obligations. The pet's temperament and behavior may be considered as a factor in determining the pet owner's ability to comply with provisions of the lease. 

If FHA refuses to register a pet, a written notification will be sent to the pet owner within 15 business days of FHA's decision. The notice will state the reason for refusing to register the pet and will inform the family of their right to appeal the decision in accordance with FHA's grievance procedures.

The following animals are not permitted: 

  • Any animal whose adult weight will exceed 20 pounds.
  • Dogs of the pit bull, rottweiler, chow, or boxer breeds
  • Ferrets or other animals whose natural protective mechanisms pose a risk to small children of serious bites or lacerations.
  • Any animal not permitted under state or local law or code. 

Residents may own a maximum of two (2) pets, only one (1) of which may be a dog. In the case of fish, residents may keep no more than can be maintained in a safe and healthy manner in a tank holding up to 10 gallons. Such a tank or aquarium will be counted as one (I) pet.

Dogs and cats must be spayed or neutered at the time of registration or, in the case of underage animals, within 30 days of the pet reaching 6 months of age. Exceptions may be made upon veterinary certification that subjecting this pet to the procedure would be temporarily or permanently medically unsafe or unnecessary.

Pets must be licensed in accordance with state or local law. Residents must provide proof of licensing at the time of registration and annually, in conjunction with the resident's annual reexamination.

Resident must pay a refundable one-hundred-fifty dollars ($150.00) pet deposit. The deposit must be paid before the pet is brought on the premises. The housing authority will refund the pet deposit to the resident, less costs of any damages caused by the pet to the dwelling unit, within 30 days of tenants move-out or removal of the pet from the unit.

The resident will be billed for any amount that exceeds the pet deposit. FHA will provide the resident with a written list of any charges against the pet deposit within IO business days of the move-out inspection. If the resident disagrees with the amount charged to the pet deposit, FHA will provide a meeting to discuss the charges.

Resident must pay a $10 monthly non-refundable nominal pet fee. This fee is intended to cover the reasonable operating costs to the project relating to the presence of pets. Reasonable operating costs to the project relating to the presence of pets include, but are not limited to: 

  • Landscaping costs
  • Pest control costs
  • Insurance costs
  • Clean-up costs

The pet fee of $10.00 will be billed on a monthly basis, and payment will be due 14 calendar days after billing.-Charges for the non-refundable pet fee are not part of rent payable by the resident. 

PET RULES

Residents must responsibly maintain pets in accordance with FHA policies, and in compliance with applicable state and local public health, animal control, and animal cruelty laws and regulations.

Pets must be maintained within the resident's unit. When outside of the unit (within the building or on the grounds) dogs and cats must be kept on a leash or carried. They must be under the control of the resident or other responsible individual at all times.

Pets other than dogs or cats must be kept in a cage or carrier when outside of the unit. Pets are not permitted in common areas including lobbies, community rooms and laundry areas except for those common areas which are entrances to and exits from the building. Pet owners are not permitted to exercise pets or permit pets to deposit waste on project premises outside of the areas designated for such purposes.

Resident is responsible for the removal of pet waste. Waste must be sealed in plastic bag and disposed of it in a container provided by FHA. The resident shall take adequate precautions to eliminate any pet odors within or around the unit and to maintain the unit in a sanitary condition at all times.

Resident must promptly dispose of waste from litter boxes and shall not flush litter in toilets. Litter boxes must be maintained in a sanitary manner and kept inside the resident's dwelling unit.

Resident shall not alter their unit. This includes alterations to unit, patio, premises, or common areas to create an enclosure for any animal. FHA prohibits the installation of pet doors. 

Resident must control the noise of pets. Noise should not constitute a nuisance to other residents or interrupt their peaceful enjoyment of their housing unit or premises. This includes, but is not limited to loud or continuous barking, howling, whining, biting, scratching, chirping, or other such activities.

Resident must provide adequate care for pet. Care includes nutrition, exercise, and medical attention for his/her pet and is responsible for appropriate training and care for pet to ensure that the pet is not a nuisance or danger to other residents and does not damage FHA property.

No animals may be tethered or chained inside or outside the dwelling unit at any time.

Resident will be required to designate a responsible party. The responsible party will care for the pet if the health or safety of the pet is threatened by the death or incapacity of the pet owner, or by other factors that render the pet owner unable to care for the pet.

A resident who cares for another resident's pet must notify FHA and sign a statement that they agree to abide by all of the pet rules.

Pets that are not owned by a resident are not allowed on the premises. Residents are prohibited from feeding or harboring stray animals. 

Resident must correct pet violations within 10 business days. All complaints of cruelty and all dog bites will be referred to animal control or an applicable agency for investigation and enforcement. Failure to correct violation may result in initiation of procedures to remove the pet and termination of resident's tenancy.

Resident is responsible for all pet related cost for pet being placed in a shelter facility if deemed necessary by FHA. If the pet is removed as a result of any aggressive act on the part of the pet, the pet will not be allowed back on the premises.

All reasonable expenses incurred by FHA as a result of damages directly attributable to the presence of the pet in the project is the responsibility of the resident, including: 

  • The cost of repairs and replacements to the resident's dwelling unit
  • Fumigation of the dwelling unit
  • Repairs to common areas of the project 

The expense of flea elimination is the responsibility of the resident. If the resident is in occupancy when such costs occur. Pet deposits will not be applied to the costs of pet-related damages during occupancy. Charges for pet-related damage are not part of rent payable by the resident.

Resident will be charged for pet waste removal. Residents who fail to remove pet waste in accordance with this policy will be charged a separate $10 per occurrence for pet waste removal. The charge will be due and payable 14 calendar days after billing. Charges for pet waste removal are not part of rent payable by the resident.