Archive · 27 Oct 2025
Housing Societies Cannot Ban Pets, Must Implement Parking Policies
In Mumbai, people living in housing societies have questions about pets and parking.
Regarding pets, societies cannot ban them, and they are allowed in lifts, gardens, and parks, according to the law and guidelines from the Animal Welfare Board.
Pet owners are responsible for their pets and must keep them on a leash.
For parking, societies need a parking policy, including visitor parking, which needs to be approved by all members.
The policy should specify rules for visitor parking, including how long visitors can park for free.
The security or a digital system should monitor which cars are parked where.
If the demand is higher than available parking, the rule is usually, first come first serve.
Societies must have a parking policy.
Visitor parking should be about 5% of the total parking.
Societies often offer 3 days of free visitor parking.
Societies cannot legally ban pets.
Pet owners must control their pets in common areas.
- Who
- Legal expert Sharmila Ranade answered questions.
- What
- Guidance on society rules regarding pets and parking.
- When
- The Animal Welfare Board of India issued guidelines on February 26th.
- Where
- Housing societies in Mumbai.
- Why
- To clarify legal rights and responsibilities in housing societies.
- Parking Policy Requirement
- Every society must have a parking policy approved by the general body.
- Visitor Parking Allocation
- Planning authorities recommend 5% of total parking for visitors.
- Visitor Parking Duration
- Societies often allow three days of free parking for visitors.
- Pet Restrictions
- Societies cannot ban pets from lifts, gardens, or parks.
- Pet Guidelines
- Animal Welfare Board of India issued guidelines.
- Leash Requirement
- Pet owners must keep pets leashed in common areas.