Pet Rules

(Revised 2013)

1. All owners of a dog or cat are mandated to complete a Pet Registration Form (can be found at the bottom of the page for download).

 Renters are not allowed any type of pet

Dogs weighing 35 pounds or less at maturity are allowed

• A maximum of two (2) cats are allowed with no other pet

• Birds and fish are allowed; however, no “exotic” pets are allowed

• Any dog which was owned prior to 2009 and is more than 35 pounds can only be replaced when that dog passes away. The new dog can’t weigh more than 35 pounds at maturity

2. Any pet visiting overnight must be registered with the office and is not allowed to visit more than one (1) week per year. The owner must notify management when the dog is arriving and when the dog has left the premise.

3. Pets visiting on a daily basis are only allowed once per week and the office must be notified in advance.

4. Dogs must have a current license on file with the Town of Amherst and a copy must be registered with the Charter Oaks office.

5. Dogs must have a current and certified rabies vaccination and a copy must be on file at the office.

6. All pets outside the unit must be leashed or the owner will be subject to a fine.

7. Pets are not permitted to be leashed to a building or stationary object.

• Pets are not allowed to roam in the hallways, storage areas or basements

• Townhouse and condo owners are allowed to have pet(s) on their patios only if supervised and leashed. Pets are not allowed access to any common area

• Owners are expected to walk dogs only on the sidewalks in the complex and walking in the street/parking lot is discouraged due to saftey concerns

• Owner is expected to wear a reflective clothing item when walking their dog at night for the saftey of the owner and pet (reflective arm bands are available in the office for a nominal fee)

8. Any pets roaming or left unattended will be reported to the SPCA and the Town of Amherst will be contacted to pick up the pet.

9. Complaints about excessive barking, howling or other disruptive noises to neighbors must be placed in writing and the Pet Committee will determine the necessart action.

10. Town of Amherst leash and “Pooperscooper” law will be enforced.

11. Pets are not allowed in or on any community facility (clubhouse, pool area, tennis court).

12. Feces MUST be picked up and disposed of immediately. “Doggie Pot” trash cans for this purpose are placed on the grounds located in convenient areas of the complex. These containers are for feces only and not garbage.

13. Urine damage to lawn areas must be reseeded by the owner. The damaged grass area must first be removed and then replaced with fresh soil followed by seeding. If the owner does not do this and maintenance has to make the repairss, the owner will be charged for this work.

14. Owners of pets are legally responsible for property damage and/or injury caused by their pet.

15. The Board of Managers reserves the right to allow pets to reside in the complex.

Complaints & Fines

All written complaints should be submitted to the office. Complaints will be reviewed by the Pet Committee and investigated. The Pet Committee will send a written response to the person who has complained with their findings.

  • First offense will generate a written warning to the owner
  • The next written complaint will result in a $25.00 fine and will increase appropriately with each subsequent complaint

Pet Ownership

Unit owners who own the units they live in, and whose names appear on the property deed, may have domestic pets under the following conditions: (Tenants and those whose names do not appear on the deed may not have pets.)

Ownership of said pets may not infringe upon the rights of other residents. These rights include:

  • the right to a clean and safe environment.
  • the right to peace and quiet.
  • the right to the preservation of property.

Pet Rules

1. All dog and cat owners must fill out a Pet Registration Form.

2. The maximum number of domestic pets per unit is limited to one (1) dog weighing 35 pounds or less at maturity, 0R two (2) cats. Birds and fish are also allowed; reptiles are not. Present pets are grandfathered in. If, after July 15, 2009 it becomes necessary to replace your dog, it must be replaced with a breed that will not weigh more than 35 lbs. at maturity. Furthermore, a picture of each pet, along with a Registration Form, must be provided to the office.

3. Pets visiting overnight may stay no longer than 1 week per year and must be registered as a visitor. Pets visiting daily may not visit more often than 1 day per week.

4. Dogs are required to have a current license on file with the Town of Amherst.

5. Dogs AND cats are required by the Erie County Health Dept. to have a current record of rabies vaccination.

6. ALL pets must be leashed and under control when outside the living unit. Pets are not allowed to roam. If they are on unrestricted common areas, the owner must have the leash in hand.

7. Pets may not be leashed to buildings or any stationary object on unrestricted common areas, or left in the halls or basements (including storage areas) in the garden buildings. If unattended, they may only be kept indoors or on the owner’s patio, and may not have access to grounds surrounding the patio and must not be allowed to menace neighbors or passersby.

8. Pets left unattended and roaming will be reported to the S.P.C.A. and/or the Town of Amherst will be called to pick up the animal.

9. Excessive barking, howling, or other disruptive noises that are disturbing to neighbors: the neighbors who are disturbed by this noise must write a letter of complaint.

10. No animal shall be permitted in or on any community facility (i.e. clubhouse, clubhouse grounds, pool, or tennis court).

11. Town of Amherst leash and “pooperscooper” law MUST be observed. (Full copies of this law are available at the Charter Communities Association Office or the Amherst Town Hall.) Feces must be picked up immediately and disposed of properly. Urine damage must be reseeded at the expense of the pet owner.

12. Litter box material must NOT be flushed down a toilet or washed down a drain. It must be securely double-bagged for disposal in garbage cans.

13. Pet owners are legally and financially responsible for property damage and/or injury caused by their pet.

14. The Board of Managers reserves the right to allow pets to reside in the complex.

15. Enforcement of these regulations will be undertaken by Management and the Pet Committee upon receipt of a written complaint or other documentation. Judgment of the Board will be final.

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Pet Registration Form

I understand that I may have one dog, which will not exceed 35 lbs. at maturity, or can have two cats. I understand that violation of this rule will result in a fine, and this fine will continue on a daily basis if violation continues. I further understand that this fee will be subject to interest fees, and to late charges. If this fine is not paid promptly, I understand that a lien will be placed on my unit. ___________ (initial)

If I have a dog or cat(s):

  1. Please provide a picture of the pet(s) to the Management Office.

If I have a dog:

  1. What is the breed? _____________________ (initial)
  2. What will the dog’s maximum weight be, at maturity? _______________ (initial)
  3. Please provide a copy of Town of Amherst Licensing Papers.
  4. Please provide a copy of the most recent vaccination papers.

The undersigned owner(s) of

 ____________________________________________________________ (Charter Oaks/Chappelle Villas address)

 Date ____________________

Signature ____________________________________________________

Please Note:

In order for action to be taken on a complaint, it MUST be submitted in writing, to the Management Office. Although it is signed, this information will remain confidential. The complaint must be specific – who, what, where, and when. It can be handwritten, or typed, but must be signed. It need not be formal, but must include the pertinent facts… who did it, what they did, when they did it, and where (approximately) they did it. You will get a copy of the letter that will then be sent to the offender. (If you do not get a copy of this letter within a week, please contact one of the Board Presidents or other Board members.)

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Violation of the above rules will result in a fine if the violation continues after a warning has been received.