Pets Belong with Families Act

This legislation, known as the "Pets Belong with Families Act," aims to standardize and clarify pet ownership rules for residents of public housing. It explicitly prohibits public housing agencies from imposing restrictions on pets based on their breed, size, or weight, thereby expanding the types of animals allowed in these residences.

The bill permits public housing agencies to require a pet deposit, but it establishes strict limits: the deposit cannot exceed 10 percent of the tenant's monthly base rent and must be amortized over at least three months. Furthermore, any unused portion of the pet deposit must be reimbursed to the tenant within 30 days of vacating the unit, and agencies are prohibited from withholding these deposits for damage unrelated to the pet or for ordinary wear and tear. Agencies may still impose reasonable requirements such as limiting the number of animals per unit, prohibiting species illegal under state or local law, or banning individual animals declared a threat by a court.