“Advice on Condo Bylaw Changes”

“Dear PoPville,

I’m wondering if readers have any advice or success stories for changing condo bylaws?

For context, my partner and I began the condo-buying process last summer. One of the reasons we looked forward to owning a place was to get a dog (we have wanted a large breed). We put an offer on a place (our 3rd offer) that was advertised as allowing pets. After our offer was accepted, we learned that the building has a pet weight limit and dogs larger than 25 pounds are not permitted. Understanding this, we moved forward and purchased the condo.

However, I was not ready to give up on at least trying to change the bylaws and remove the pet weight limit, so I joined the condo board last fall.

The condo bylaws are the original bylaws from the building’s construction and to change them, two thirds of building owners need to approve. It may also require the mortgage holders (i.e. banks) to approve the changes as well. As a side note, a few years ago, the condo board did not uphold the pet weight limit but leadership has changed since then; bigger dogs were grandfathered in, but new dogs that exceed the weight limit cannot be brought into the building.

Long story short, it’s very clear that senior leaders on the board are not interested in changing the bylaws. Fortunately, I have an ally on the board with me but it seems we are constantly taking 2 steps forward, 1 step back. I’m wondering if anyone has any advice or success stories on changing condo bylaws or can share experiences with obtaining emotional support animal registrations? “