What Pets Are Not Allowed in Apartments?
Finding an apartment that welcomes your pet can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack, especially when your landlord says “no” before you even get to explain. Understanding which pets aren’t allowed—and why—helps you navigate the search smarter and avoid wasting time on places that can’t accommodate your furry, scaly, or feathered family member. So what’s actually off the table?
Dogs Restricted by Breed
Breed restrictions are most commonly applied to dogs, especially large or so-called “aggressive” breeds, such as pit bulls or dobermans. Some cities and counties ban entire dog breeds, particularly pit bulls. However, it’s important to know that there’s a difference between state-specific bans and apartment bans. Your city may not ban pit bulls, but your landlord can still restrict the breed from the building.
Commonly restricted breeds include pit bulls (including American Pit Bull Terriers and American Staffordshire Terriers), Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers, Siberian Huskies, Akitas, Mastiffs, Chow Chows, German Shepherds, and wolf hybrids. The restrictions often exist because these rules are often in place due to liability concerns and insurance requirements. In fact, many insurance companies still impose breed-specific exclusions.
Dogs Restricted by Size or Weight
Most apartments that restrict dogs by their weight usually won’t allow any heavier than 25 pounds. Another common factor in breed restrictions is the weight and age of your dog. Because apartments are usually smaller than homes and condos, property managers might not want a large dog living on the property. Often, renters are only allowed to have smaller breeds.
Large breeds like Saint Bernards, Great Danes, and other dogs that need significant space often face restrictions because they’re seen as more likely to cause property damage or take up too much room in a small living space.
Exotic Animals and Reptiles
Rental property owners may also restrict exotic animals such as snakes, lizards, or large birds like parrots because they can pose a potential danger or cause significant property damage. Exotic pets, in particular, are generally not allowed, ranging from ferrets and chinchillas to snakes and fish; this is especially true if you live in a state where your pet is on a list of protected species.
Additionally, caring for these animals often requires specialized equipment such as heat lamps which could increase energy consumption costs. There are currently twenty (20) states that have comprehensive bans on exotic animals as pets. This type of ban is prohibits ownership of wild cats, reptiles, and non-human primates. Even within states that allow some exotic animals, individual landlords can choose to prohibit them.
Large Birds
Pet birds aren’t universally banned, but even birds that stay in their cages can be noisy enough to bother the neighbors, and they tend to be messy creatures, especially when they’re molting. Property managers have reported instances where bird-keeping on balconies caused problems for neighboring tenants. Feathers and bird food would sometimes land on other tenants’ balconies. Large parrots and cockatoos are especially likely to be restricted due to noise and size concerns.
Large Fish Tanks and Aquariums
It might seem surprising, but large aquariums can be banned from apartments. Aquariums exceeding a certain size may be prohibited in some rental properties due to the potential water damage risks if they leak or break. In some cases, there’s also a consideration for the noise of the pumps. Some landlords have experienced serious damage—like a third-story fish tank causing the floor to collapse and flooding the unit below—so weight and water damage are legitimate concerns.
Certain Rodents and Small Caged Animals
While hamsters and guinea pigs are sometimes allowed, policies vary widely. Examples of unusual pets include; rats/rodents/guinea pigs, certain bird breeds, reptiles/snakes, and any exotic animals. Rats, in particular, face stricter restrictions at many properties. Some landlords allow these small animals without issue, while others have blanket restrictions on anything beyond cats and dogs.
Illegal or Dangerous Wildlife
Certain animals are illegal to own as pets in most jurisdictions, regardless of what your lease says. Examples of illegal pets include wild felines, wild canines, bears, raccoons, skunks, foxes, and certain venomous snakes. Under New York City Health Code §161.01, the following animals are prohibited: Wild cats such as lions, tigers, leopards, and cougars. These restrictions exist to protect public safety and animal welfare.
No-Pet Policies (with Limited Exceptions)
Some apartments maintain strict no-pet policies that allow no companion animals at all. This means that no companion animals are allowed within the unit. However, there are exceptions for service animals and emotional support animals under federal law. If your pet qualifies as a service animal or emotional support animal under the Fair Housing Act, your landlord must make reasonable accommodations regardless of a no-pet clause.
What About Numbers of Pets?
Number of pets is a common restriction and is usually based on the agreement that you will not get any more pets than the one you originally moved in with, unless approved by your landlord. This can also mean there is a restriction on a specific number of pets that can live in a single unit at one time. Most apartments allow a maximum of one or two pets, though this varies by property.
Finding Pet-Friendly Options
If you know your pet faces restrictions, doing research before applying saves time and application fees. A few places to search for pet-friendly rentals include:
- Dwellsy — Lets you create a pet profile with your animal’s species (including non-traditional pets), breed, size, and weight, then filters listings to show only places that match your pet’s criteria. Pet-friendly properties are labeled with a badge so you know upfront.
- Apartments.com — Has a pet-friendly filter and detailed pet policies for most listings.
- PetFBI — Specifically designed for pet owners searching rentals, with breed restriction information.
- Local Facebook groups — Many cities have “pet-friendly housing” or “pet parents” groups where landlords and renters connect directly.
- Private landlords — Often more flexible with restrictions than large property management companies.
If Your Pet Faces Restrictions
If the apartment you love has restrictions on your pet’s breed, you still have options. Depending on your situation, you might convince your landlord to make an exception if your restricted breed is an emotional support animal. Research local regulations on emotional support animals to see if there is a certification you can go through to make your dog more official. Other strategies include submitting a pet resume with photos, vaccination records, and references, or arranging a pet interview so your landlord can meet your animal in person.
When Hiding a Pet Isn’t the Answer
It’s tempting to sneak a restricted pet past your landlord, but don’t. If your lease prohibits pets and you have one without written permission, you are in breach of your agreement. That means fines, a demand to remove the pet, or eviction. Eviction leaves a mark on your rental history that makes future applications significantly harder.
FAQ
Are all apartments allowed to have breed restrictions?
Yes, in most states, landlords can restrict certain dog breeds in their buildings. Technically, landlords (in most states) are allowed to deny housing to those with certain types of dog breeds. The landlord or management company can decide what type of animals are permitted onto its property; therefore, they can reject certain breeds. However, some states and cities have laws preventing breed-specific discrimination or have done away with breed bans entirely.
What if my dog is an emotional support animal?
The Fair Housing Act requires landlords to accommodate emotional support animals in housing with no-pet policies, provided you have documentation from a licensed mental health professional. No pet fees or breed restrictions apply. The documentation must be legitimate from a licensed provider—landlords are increasingly careful about verifying ESA letters.
What counts as a “non-traditional” pet?
An unusual pet is any pet that isn’t the norm in renting properties such as dogs and cats. Examples of these pets include; rats/rodents/guinea pigs, certain bird breeds, reptiles/snakes, and any exotic animals. Before getting an unusual pet, check your state and local laws to make sure it’s legal and contact your landlord about their specific policies.
Can I negotiate with my landlord if they restrict my breed?
Sometimes, yes. You can also talk to the landlord about your companion animal and they may be willing to make an exception, even if they don’t meet weight or breed restrictions. Start with a conversation, bring references, offer to pay a higher deposit, or provide proof of training or good behavior history. Transparency goes a long way.
What if I move to a new state—will restrictions be the same?
No. Bans on aggressive dog breeds don’t all look the same and aren’t consistent from property to property. What’s restricted in Atlanta might be allowed in Denver, depending on local legislation, insurance coverage, and your landlord’s discretion. Always check local ordinances and ask individual landlords about their policies before applying.
