Article IV Use of Property

5. A townhouse unit owner shall not keep more than two (2) pets or animals in their unit without the prior written consent of the Board.

A pet shall be defined as a domestic or household, dog, cat or bird.

A. Pets or animals shall not be permitted in any of the common areas of Village of Sandalwood Lakes or off a townhouse unit property under any circumstances unless the pet or animal is under the restraint or control of a person by means of a chain, leash or enclosed carrier.

B. Each pet or animal owner shall be required to clean up after the pet or animal in order to properly maintain the common areas and prevent any possible spread of disease. Each townhouse unit owner shall indemnify the Association, and hold it harmless against any loss or liability resulting from their, their family member’s, guests or lessee’s ownership of or keeping of a pet or animal at Village of Sandalwood Lakes. Any damages caused by the pet or animal are the responsibility of the owner and will be charged to the owner’s account.

C. No dog or any other pet or animal may become obnoxious or a nuisance to other townhouse unit owners by barking or otherwise.

D. No pet or animal shall be left unattended on patios, balconies or elsewhere on the common areas of the townhouse unit or the common areas.

E. Dogs and cats must comply with county requirements for vaccination and sterilization if applicable, and proof of vaccination must be submitted and kept up to date with the Association’s records. Upon being informed of any violation of these provisions, the townhouse unit owner shall remedy the problem or upon written notice from the Association, they will be required to permanently remove the pet or animal from the community.

6. The foregoing provisions notwithstanding, and notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in the Declaration, no townhouse unit owner or occupant shall be permitted under any circumstances to have, foster, or keep any dog as a pet which has been classified as a dangerous dog or vicious dog under Florida law, County or municipal ordinance, in the townhouse unit or on the common areas, or any of the following breeds: (a) Pit bulls; (b) Rottweilers; (c) German Shepherds; (d) Huskies; (e) Alaskan malamutes; (f) Doberman Pinschers; (g) Chow chows; (h) Great Danes; (i) St. Bernards; (j) Akitas; and (k) any mixes of a dangerous breed. Further, no species which is venomous/poisonous, invasive, or exotic in essence which may present a danger to the community and/or environment shall be permitted.

7. Pursuant to all applicable Federal and State laws, a unit owner or resident may make a request to the Association for a reasonable accommodation to the foregoing animal restrictions, in order to maintain an emotional support/service animal in a unit, provided that the requesting Owner or resident submits documentation from a qualified health professional that demonstrates sufficient connection between how the disability of the Owner/resident impairs a major life activity, and the specific manner in which the animal will allow the Owner/resident an equal opportunity to use and enjoy their unit and assist in treating the disability. An Owner/resident desiring to maintain an emotional support/service animal must obtain the approval of the Board prior to bringing the animal to the Association and must fill out and return in a timely manner any application or other forms or paperwork or submit proper documentation as required by the Association. The animal must be vaccinated and registered and the proper paperwork regarding this must be submitted to the Association. If the animal dies or is removed, the applicant needs to reapply for another animal that will be brought into the unit. If a person requests to keep more than one emotional support animal, request information regarding the specific need for each animal. A person who knowingly and willfully misrepresents themselves, through conduct or verbal or written notice, as using a service animal and being qualified to use a service animal or as a trainer of a service animal commits a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in Section 775.082 or Section 775.083 of Florida statutes, and must perform thirty (30) hours of community service for an organization that serves individuals with disabilities, or for another entity or organization at the discretion of the court, to be completed in not more than six (6) months, as stated in Section 413.08, Florida Statutes (2024), as amended from time to time. An emotional support animal registration of any kind, including, but not limited to, an identification card, patch, certificate, or similar registration obtained from the Internet is not, by itself, sufficient information to reliably establish that a person has a disability or a disability-related need for an emotional support animal. A person with a disability or a disability-related need is liable for any damage done to the premises or to another person or to another animal on the premises by their emotional support animal or service animal.

8. The Board of Directors shall have the right but not the obligation, to require each pet or animal owner to provide proof of a liability insurance policy and said policy shall name the Association as a named insured. All residents must notify their insurance carrier that they have a pet or animal.

• you can only have 2 pets unless you get prior consent from the Board for more

• there is a list of prohibited dog breeds in the Declaration, check it before bringing a dog on property

• you must register your pets with the HOA

• clean up after your pet, no running loose, and they can’t live in the courtyard

In the event your pet gets loose, we have a better chance of finding you.

If there is an emergency in your home, the HOA will be able to tell rescue if there are pets to save.

If there is a dangerous incident, the HOA can more easily identify where the pet lives.

Registering protects you, your pets, and our entire community.