Pets Gone Wild in West Winds Subdivision

Navigating the HOA & City Rules for Pets and Animals in the West Winds Subdivision.

West Winds HOA Animal Rules

At West Winds HOA, we strive to create a peaceful, enjoyable, and safe community for all residents. A key part of this effort involves setting clear guidelines and rules for pet ownership, outlined in Section 13.30 - Animals of our Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, and Requirements (CC&Rs). These rules help maintain harmony in the neighborhood while ensuring compliance with local city and county animal ordinances. It's essential to remember that all municipal laws apply alongside our HOA regulations.

What Types of Animals Are Allowed?

In keeping with our suburban setting, our West Winds CC&Rs (13.31 Animals) prohibit certain animals, including:

Horses or other farm animals
Fowl, like chickens and ducks
Poisonous reptiles

However, commonly accepted household pets, such as dogs, cats, and small caged animals, are welcome. The key is that your number of pets should be “reasonable.” The Board of Directors reserves the right to determine what’s reasonable, ensuring all residents can enjoy their homes without excessive disruptions.

Commercial Breeding Isn’t Allowed

For those who love animals, starting a small breeding operation from home might be tempting. However, it’s important to note that breeding animals for commercial purposes is not permitted within our community. This helps maintain a residential atmosphere and avoids conflicts with running a business involving animals in a residential community.

Keeping Our Pets Safe and Considerate

When it comes to pets, safety and respect for your neighbors are essential:

Leashes are Required: Pets, including dogs and cats, must always be on a leash outside your Lot (Section 13.31). This is for their safety and the comfort of other residents. Leashes also help prevent unpredictable encounters with other animals and protect pets from potential confrontations. The City of Bozeman animal ordinance also states that leashes are required in city limits for dogs and cats.
Noise and Behavior: We love pets, but we don’t love disturbances. If your pet is creating excessive noise or causing an annoyance, the Board or the City may consider it a nuisance. For example, a dog that barks continuously or a cat that roams freely may be deemed a nuisance.

Leashes are Required: Pets, including dogs and cats, must always be on a leash outside of your Lot

Fines & Removal of Pets

In the unfortunate event that a pet is causing issues within the community, the West Winds HOA Board of Directors has the authority to issue fines and request the removal of a pet from your property. These actions may be taken in cases where the pet/pet owner is deemed to violate the West Winds HOA CC&RS, such as sections 13.29 Violation of Law or 13.30 Animals, or the pet is determined to be a “nuisance” by the Board (13.31 Nuisances) including:

Roams freely, off-leash, or without supervision
Endangers the health or safety of residents or other animals
Makes excessive noise
Constitutes an annoyance, inconvenience, or nuisance to others

If the Board requests the removal of an animal, the pet owner is responsible for this action and any associated expenses. Should the owner fail to comply or honor such a request, the Board may cause the pet to be removed at the owner’s expense.

NOTE: Electric shock dog collars or similar are not a substitute for leashes. Dogs are required to be on leashes per city ordinances and HOA rules. And, yes, the leash has to be in the hand of the person walking the pet (restraint), and the pet has to be under control.

Ensuring Responsible Pet Ownership

To keep West Winds a welcoming community for everyone:

Supervise Your Pets: Pets cannot roam freely without a leash. If your pet poses a nuisance or danger, the Board has the authority to fine owners and request the pet's removal.
Be Mindful of Neighbors: Avoid excessive barking or other disruptive behaviors, especially if you’re away from home.

Report A CC&Rs Violation

City of Bozeman Animal Control

In addition to the West Winds CC&Rs, it’s important to remember that all City of Bozeman animal ordinances also apply. This means West Winds’ rules and requirements align with and build upon local pet and animal laws.

Animal Control & Licensing in Bozeman

To support responsible pet ownership, the City of Bozeman requires all dogs and cats over six months old to be licensed. You can easily apply for an animal license online. A kennel license is required if you own more than two cats or dogs, which can also be managed through the City. Every licensed pet must also be vaccinated against rabies for the safety of both the animals and the community.

Be a Responsible Pet Owner

In addition to licensing, the City of Bozeman Animal Control compels responsible pet ownership, including:

Scoop Your Poop - For the health and safety of everyone, please bring a bag with you & cleanup & dispose of any waste created by your pet.
Keep Your Pets on a Leash - Bozeman has a leash law. Your pet must be leashed when walking in the neighborhood or in parks that are not 'Off-Leash' parks. This includes both dogs and cats! Leashes must be no longer than 6ft in length.
Keep Your Pets Quiet - Your neighbors will be much happier if your pets are quiet. Keep them from howling, barking, or whining. Uncontrolled dog barking can result in a citation.
Don't Neglect or Mistreat Your Pets - For the health and safety of your pet, do not leave them unattended in a vehicle in extreme hot or cold weather. Please treat them with respect and provide adequate food, water, and shelter.
Don’t Tie-up Pets in Public Areas: The City of Bozeman also specifies that pets should not be tied to trees, bike racks, or other public items. This helps avoid stressful or potentially harmful situations, especially if a pet is left alone and becomes anxious or reacts unpredictably to strangers.

City Animal Control: Submit a Complaint Online

How to File a Complaint: City of Bozeman Animal Control

If you experience issues with a pet or animal in the community, Bozeman’s Animal Control provides resources for assistance:

Non-emergency situations can be reported at 406-582-2249 or submit a complaint online. An example would be reporting a location where a dog or dogs are unsafely off-leash, a dog that barks continually, or a home that does not appear to have chickens appropriately kept.

For immediate concerns or emergency assistance, contact Bozeman Animal Control at 406-582-2000.

Reporting Details: Please provide a detailed description of the location or address, including your name, address, and phone number. This is necessary if the animal control officer or police officer has to issue a citation to the pet owner. Providing the license plates of dog owners who leave the area after an offense can be helpful, as can providing a good description of the owner.

City Animal Control: Submit a Complaint Online

Why These Rules & Guidelines Matter

We all love pets and want to live in a pet-friendly community. These rules and guidelines are in place to protect our pets, maintain the quality of life for all residents, and ensure that everyone can enjoy a safe and peaceful environment. By following these simple HOA rules and understanding Bozeman’s animal ordinances, we can make West Winds a happy home for people and pets!

The content provided in this blog/news story is intended for informational purposes only. It is designed to offer a simplified and reader-friendly overview of pertinent sections of the West Wind HOA's Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs), as well as the relevant city of Bozeman regulations, ordinances, or laws. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, this content should not be considered a substitute for the actual governing documents, applicable city laws, ordinances, or legal advice. Homeowners and residents are advised to consult the full, legally binding governing documents and city regulations or seek professional legal counsel for official reference or legal purposes.