[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 24, Volume 1]
[Revised as of April 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 24CFR5.315]

[Page 54-55]
 
                 TITLE 24--HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
 
PART 5--GENERAL HUD PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS; WAIVERS--Table of Contents
 
  Subpart C--Pet Ownership for the Elderly or Persons With Disabilities
 
Sec. 5.315  Content of pet rules: General requirements.

    (a) Housing programs. The project owner shall prescribe reasonable 
rules to govern the keeping of common household pets. The pet rules must 
include the mandatory rules described in Sec. 5.350 and may, unless 
otherwise noted in this subpart C, include other discretionary 
provisions as provided in Sec. 5.318.
    (b) Public Housing programs. (1) PHAs may choose not to promulgate 
rules governing the keeping of common household pets or may include 
rules as provided in Sec. 5.318. PHAs may elect to include provisions 
based on those in Sec. 5.350. If they so choose, the PHAs may modify the 
provisions in Sec. 5.350 in any manner consistent with this subpart C.
    (2) If PHAs choose to promulgate pet rules, tenants must be 
permitted to own and keep pets in their units in accordance with the 
terms and conditions of their leases, the provisions of this subpart C, 
and any applicable State or local law or regulation governing the owning 
or keeping of pets in dwelling accommodations.
    (3) PHAs that choose not to promulgate pet rules, shall not impose, 
by lease modification or otherwise, any requirement that is inconsistent 
with the provisions of this subpart C.
    (c) Use of discretion. (1) This subpart C does not define with 
specificity the limits of the project owners' or PHAs' discretion to 
promulgate pet rules. Where a project owner or PHA has discretion to 
prescribe pet rules under this subpart C, the pet rules should be:
    (i) Reasonably related to furthering a legitimate interest of the 
project owner or PHA, such as the owner's or

[[Page 55]]

PHA's interest in providing a decent, safe, and sanitary living 
environment for existing and prospective tenants and in protecting and 
preserving the physical condition of the project and the owner's or 
PHA's financial interest in it; and
    (ii) Drawn narrowly to achieve the owner's or PHA's legitimate 
interests, without imposing unnecessary burdens and restrictions on pet 
owners and prospective pet owners.
    (2) Where a project owner or PHA has discretion to prescribe pet 
rules under this subpart C, the owner or PHA may vary the rules' content 
among projects and within individual projects, based on factors such as 
the size, type, location, and occupancy of the project or its units, 
provided that the applicable rules are reasonable and do not conflict 
with any applicable State or local law or regulation governing the 
owning or keeping of pets in dwelling accommodations.
    (d) Conflict with State or local law. The pet rules adopted by the 
project owner or PHA shall not conflict with applicable State or local 
law or regulations. If such a conflict may exist, the State and local 
law or regulations shall apply.