Can a body corporate ban pets in strata?

In Queensland, a body corporate cannot enforce a complete ban on pets in residential strata buildings. However, a body corporate can impose reasonable conditions on keeping animals which provides some ability to manage the impact of an animal on other occupiers and common property.

Typically, the types of conditions could include:

• The animal must be on a lead or adequately restrained while on common property
• The animal must not cause a nuisance or interfere unreasonably with the use or enjoyment of another lot or common property
• Reasonable steps must be taken to minimise airborne allergens
• Animal waste must be disposed of in a manner that does not create noxious odours or contaminate the scheme
• The committee can withdraw approval for the animal if the specified conditions are not complied with.

Body corporate committees are advised to adopt valid and clearly worded animal by-laws into their CMS to avoid confusion.

Further reading

• New laws open the catflap to pets
• Government doubles down on pets in strata
• Are your by-laws legally valid and enforceable?
• How do I apply to keep an animal in a body corporate lot?
• What are body corporate by-laws?
• Are by-laws legally enforceable?
• How does a body corporate enforce a by-law?
• What can be included in a valid by-law?