Bringing a furry family member to Greenwich Village can feel exciting and uncertain at the same time. You want a home that fits your lifestyle without running into surprises at the board stage. This guide breaks down how pet rules work in Village co-ops and condos, where the NYC Pet Law does and does not apply, and what to include in your application to avoid delays. Let’s dive in.
Co-ops vs. condos: how rules differ
Co-ops generally have stronger enforcement tools because you live under a proprietary lease. Boards often set pet rules in the lease or house rules, require approvals, and can fine or pursue lease remedies for violations. For a deeper look at board authority, review this overview of board powers in shared buildings.
Condos rely on bylaws and house rules. Boards can fine or seek an injunction if rules are broken, but they cannot terminate ownership the way a co-op board can. Expect written house rules to control pet registration and behavior in common areas.
The NYC Pet Law and the 90-day rule
New York City’s Pet Law, Administrative Code §27-2009.1, says that if a tenant openly keeps a household pet for three months and management knows but does not enforce a no-pet clause, the building may have waived that clause for that pet. You can read the statute text and summary.
How this plays out locally:
- Co-ops in Manhattan: Co-op shareholders live under proprietary leases, so the 90-day rule generally applies to them, subject to nuisance or damage exceptions.
- Condos in Manhattan: Courts have been less inclined to extend the 90-day waiver to condominiums in Manhattan. Do not rely on the Pet Law to protect a condo owner without specific building precedent. See a practical summary on how courts approach condos and the 90-day rule.
If you face an enforcement dispute, review your governing documents and consult qualified counsel before taking action.
Assistance animals: rules and rights
Assistance animals are not “pets” under the Fair Housing Act. You can request a reasonable accommodation for a service animal or emotional support animal even if the building has a no-pet rule. Housing providers must engage promptly, may request limited documentation when the need is not obvious, and cannot charge pet fees for assistance animals. See HUD’s guidance on assistance animals and fair housing.
New York City and New York State law also protect disability rights in housing. The NYC Commission on Human Rights explains how accommodations should be handled in its disability protections guidance.
What you will see in building rules
In Greenwich Village buildings, expect some or all of the following:
- Registration with management, pet photos, vaccination records, and for dogs, proof of NYC licensing. Many boards use a signed pet addendum. See common items in board pet policy practice.
- Limits on number, species, size or weight, and sometimes breed. Some buildings allow existing pets but restrict new ones. These are typical house-rule items. See examples of animal policy elements.
- Pet interviews or board meetings for dogs, plus training or reference requests. More detail appears in board interview expectations.
- Insurance requirements. Many boards require HO-6 or liability coverage, often in the $300,000 to $500,000 range, and may require indemnification for pet-related damage. Here is context on liability insurance expectations.
- Fines and enforcement steps if a pet becomes a nuisance or a threat. Co-ops use lease remedies; condos often use fines or injunctions.
Buyer checklist: avoid surprises
Before you submit an offer or a board package, confirm these items:
Request and read all governing documents. Look for pet clauses in the proprietary lease, house rules, bylaws, and the condo declaration. A quick primer on board authority and limits can help you know where to look.
Ask management for the current pet policy and process. Request any pet addendum and learn whether the building requires a pet interview. See what boards commonly ask for in pet registration and interviews.
Understand the 90-day rule. In co-ops, timing can matter. In Manhattan condos, do not assume a 90-day waiver will apply. Review the NYC Pet Law statute and local practice notes above.
Confirm insurance requirements. Ask for the exact coverage limits and any additional insured language. Here is background on typical liability requirements.
If you have an assistance animal, prepare your request. Follow the building’s written procedure and include documentation if the need is not obvious. See HUD’s assistance animal guidance.
Seller tips: set buyers up for success
- Disclose your pet status and any board approvals or precedent you know about. Providing records and photos upfront helps keep the process smooth. See why clarity matters in this board and listing guide.
- If a buyer needs an assistance animal, handle the request process transparently and in line with HUD and NYC guidance. Refer to HUD’s assistance animal overview and the NYC Commission’s disability protections page.
Fees, deposits, and pet rent: what to know
For rental tenants, New York State limits security deposits and restricts add-on deposits. Some landlords use nonrefundable pet fees or monthly pet rent in free-market rentals, subject to applicable law. Review the state’s lease and deposit guidance from HCR. Assistance animals cannot be charged pet fees.
In co-ops and condos, boards may set house-rule fees for registration or common-area upkeep if the governing documents allow it. Always verify fees against your building’s rules.
Local context in Greenwich Village
The Village blends prewar co-ops with newer condos. Older co-ops often feature formal interviews and tighter pet rules. Newer condos may market pet-friendly amenities, yet still enforce common-area standards. The neighborhood is highly walkable, with many popular dog routes near Washington Square Park, which makes city pet rules especially relevant. For dogs, review NYC requirements for licensing and vaccinations.
What to include in your board package
Include a clear, complete pet profile so the board can say yes with confidence:
- Pet photos, breed, weight, age, and a short temperament note
- Vaccination and NYC dog license records, plus spay/neuter proof
- Training certificates or references, if available
- Signed pet addendum, if the building uses one
- Proof of required insurance and coverage limits
- A brief plan for elevator use, cleanup, and quiet hours
Bottom line
In Greenwich Village, pet rules vary by building type and board culture. Co-ops often enforce more formal policies, while condos rely on house rules and fines. The 90-day Pet Law protects many co-op occupants but is not a reliable shield for Manhattan condo owners. If you need an assistance animal, federal and city laws require a good-faith accommodation process.
If you want a pet-friendly move with fewer surprises, connect with Darya Goldstein to map the right buildings and streamline your approval.
FAQs
Can my Greenwich Village co-op ban my dog?
- A co-op can have a no-pet rule, but if you openly kept your dog for 90 days and management knew and did not act, the NYC Pet Law may bar enforcement for that pet, subject to nuisance or damage exceptions. See the Pet Law statute.
Does the 90-day rule protect Manhattan condo owners?
- Not reliably. Manhattan courts have been less inclined to apply the Pet Law’s waiver to condo declarations, so do not rely on it without specific building precedent. Review this condo-focused overview.
Can a building charge pet deposits or pet rent in NYC?
- For rentals, security deposits are limited under state law and pet-specific deposits are constrained. Some landlords use nonrefundable pet fees or monthly pet rent in free-market rentals. See HCR’s guidance. Assistance animals cannot be charged pet fees.
How do I request an emotional support animal in a no-pet building?
- Submit a written reasonable accommodation request with documentation if the need is not obvious. Buildings must engage promptly and cannot deny for a no-pet rule alone unless there is a direct threat or undue burden. See HUD’s assistance animal guidance.
What documents should I include if I apply with a pet?
- Provide photos, breed and weight, vaccination and NYC license records, spay/neuter proof, training certificates or references, any pet addendum, proof of required insurance, and a short plan for house-rule compliance. See common board policy practices.
