Pets, Animals, Service Animals Notice Letter

May 21, 2024

Dear Homeowners,

The Landscape & Recreation Committee (L&R Committee) recently approved for circulation and comment various changes to the L&R Rules & Regulations regarding the Pets, Animals, Service Animals Rule. After careful consideration, the L&R Committee has decided to amend the rules pertaining to pets and service animals to better serve the needs of all residents and the well-being of our community.  Although a comment period of at least 28 days is not required by law, the L&R Committee prefers to give residents the option of submitting comments before the amended rule goes into effect on June 21, 2024.  Please submit any comments via email to Mark Merson, General Manager & Financial Controller, at controller@coronadoshores.org.  You may also mail them to the address below, or deliver them in person at the office.  The deadline for comments is 5:00 p.m., Tuesday, June 18, 2024.  Note that the L&R Committee is not required to change the amended rule in response to any comment, but it will consider them for possible changes to the amended rule.

What follows is a redline of the changes with the existing language in black, new language in red with underline, and the language to be deleted in red with a line through the language:

Previous Rules: III. Pets, located on page 5 of the Landscape and Recreation Rules and Regulations handbook:

III.   PETS, ANIMALS, SERVICE ANIMALS:

*Please be sensitive and respectful of individuals who might be allergic or fearful of your pet.

  1. Dogs must be leashed at all times and under the immediate control of a competent person. Per City Municipal Code 32.04.202, Definitions, “Leash” means any rope, leather strap, chain or other material not exceeding six feet in length, being held in the hand of a person actually controlling the animal to which it is attached.
  2. No animals are allowed in the Pool Areas, Tennis Courts, Beach Club, Roeder or Health Club – with the exception of TRAINED SERVICE DOGS service animals as recognized by law. Only Dogs are recognized as service animals under Titles II and III of the ADA, and are “trained” to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability.
  3. All pet/animal excretion or droppings must be picked up and properly disposed of by the person in control of the animal. Mutt Mitts are provided throughout the community.
  1. Pets Any Animal that annoys, endangers the health of residents, or which that causes a nuisance due to excessive noise or otherwise, may be prohibited from the common areas.
  1. No Except as required by law, no animals are allowed on the lawn area east of (behind) the Roeder Pavilion. This area is reserved for use as a “play area”.
  1. Any owner/resident/guest who claims believes his/her animal is qualifies as a service/support animal must provide proof of his/her disability and that such disability requires the accommodation requested for the animal if such disability and/or the need for such animal is not evident. may request that the animal be accommodated as an exception to the above rules as provided by law. The request will be considered pursuant to the memorandum issued by the Department of Housing and Urban Development titled “Assessing a Person’s Request to Have an Animal as a Reasonable Accommodation Under the Fair Housing Act,” issued on January 28, 2020. Any service animal will be identified by a tag provided by management, and the tag must be displayed on the animal at all times while in the common area.  The sole purpose for the tag is to diminish any need that management and/or security repeatedly ask the owner/resident/guest about the service animal. 

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FRAUDULENT CLAIMS:  Any person who knowingly and fraudulently represents himself/herself to be the owner or trainer of any canine licensed/qualified/identified as a guide, signal, or service dog shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment in the county jail not exceeding six months, by a fine not exceeding $1,000, or by both fine and imprisonment. (Cal. Penal Code section 365.7.) 

Final amended rule:

III.   PETS, ANIMALS, SERVICE ANIMALS:

*Please be sensitive and respectful of individuals who might be allergic or fearful of your pet.

  1. Dogs must be leashed at all times and under the immediate control of a competent person. Per City Municipal Code 32.04.202, Definitions, “Leash” means any rope, leather strap, chain or other material not exceeding six feet in length, being held in the hand of a person actually controlling the animal to which it is attached.
  2. No animals are allowed in the Pool Areas, Tennis Courts, Beach Club, Roeder or Health Club – with the exception of service animals as recognized by law.
  3. All pet/animal excretion or droppings must be picked up and properly disposed of by the person in control of the animal. Mutt Mitts are provided throughout the community.
  4. Any animal that annoys, endangers the health of residents, or that causes a nuisance due to excessive noise or otherwise, may be prohibited from the common areas.
  5. Except as required by law, no animals are allowed on the lawn area east of (behind) the Roeder Pavilion. This area is reserved for use as a “play area”.
  6. Any owner/resident/guest who believes his/her animal qualifies as a service/support animal may request that the animal be accommodated as an exception to the above rules as provided by law. The request will be considered pursuant to the memorandum issued by the Department of Housing and Urban Development titled “Assessing a Person’s Request to Have an Animal as a Reasonable Accommodation Under the Fair Housing Act,” issued on January 28, 2020.  Any service animal will be identified by a tag provided by management, and the tag must be displayed on the animal at all times while in the common area.  The sole purpose for the tag is to diminish any need that management and/or security repeatedly ask the owner/resident/guest about the service animal. 

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FRAUDULENT CLAIMS:  Any person who knowingly and fraudulently represents himself/herself to be the owner or trainer of any canine licensed/qualified/identified as a guide, signal, or service dog shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment in the county jail not exceeding six months, by a fine not exceeding $1,000, or by both fine and imprisonment. (Cal. Penal Code section 365.7.) 

End of amended rule.

The purpose of the above changes is to take into consideration service animals and to adopt a means for the Coronado Shores staff to readily verify their status as a legitimate service animal to avoid any misunderstandings or disputes.  Other small changes in wording are made to clear up the language. 

Residents can request a service animal tag by submitting the application form “Request for Accommodation of Animal to Enter Common Facilities” found here:  Animal Accommodation Form along with documentation from a qualified healthcare provider confirming the need for the service animal.  You may also access the form by coming to the L&R office. 

We kindly request your cooperation in adhering to the new rule and communicating this information to any guests or tenants. We understand that these changes may impact some residents, and we appreciate your cooperation and understanding as we strive to maintain a safe and harmonious living environment for all members of our community.

Please review the Rules and Regulation Handbook available online and in the Landscape & Recreation office for any further details.  Link to the online version – Rules & Regulation – Coronado Shores

On behalf of the Landscape and Recreation Committee,

Mark Merson

General Manager & Financial Controller

Coronado Shores Landscape & Recreation Committee

1740 Avenida Del Mundo, Coronado, CA 92118

controller@coronadoshores.org