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October 3,2008

Dog Boxes on Pearl District Decks

by pdxdog

A great number of Pearl District residents have dogs, as we all know.  Many have smaller dogs who can use potty boxes.  I've heard recently that there have been some objections to residents/owners placing these boxes on their decks.

If they are kept clean, does anyone know why this would be a problem?  It appears that some homeowners are creating problems for those dog owners.

Interested in reponses to this issue.

posted at 03:41 PM 10 comments
categories: livability
tags: pets
Comments:
lynnette - October 03, 2008 03:50 PM
Was cleanliness the objection to the dog boxes in question?
Anonymous - October 03, 2008 07:30 PM
Many condo declarations and associations treat the balconies as limited use common areas with use restricted to the owners occupying the unit attached to the balcony. This allows the association to control what goes on the balcony. Many bylaws limit what can be placed on the balcony to patio furniture, barbeque, etc. A dog box is typically not included in the list of items that are allowed on the limited use common area.
andrea - October 04, 2008 10:43 AM
Do you know why the boxes aren't included? Is it that they are too new, people are offended by them, worried about cleanliness? These boxes are usually quite attractive, well maintained and a good solution to a problem. Especially when there are limited outdoor areas for dogs. Is this controversial?
lynnette - October 04, 2008 11:14 AM
As you know, condo bylaws are inherited from the developer (and team of attorneys) who created them—changing them requires action from the Homeowners Association. If dog owners are putting these boxes on their decks, and it violates their condo bylaws, they are rightfully asked to remove them. Maybe the dog owners should get involved in their HOA?
Chris - October 04, 2008 05:03 PM
If I was a dog owner, I'd try to make a potty box look like a BBQ. I suspect the developer/HOA just don't trust all the dog owners to keep a clean poop-deck, so they ban it outright.
Wendy - October 07, 2008 11:38 AM
You have to be kidding me. I have a dog box but do not have a deck, so my dog's is in my den. I have to say they are very innocuous--they're nearly flat so I can't understand how anybody could even see one, much less object to it being on a deck. How is that not allowed but numerous dead potted plants are just fine? (not that I care about the plants but you can actually see those from the street). Ridiculous.
lynnette - October 07, 2008 11:43 AM
In a vertical neighborhood, the view from adjacent condo units is also a factor. Many of these units get an up-close and personal view of these boxes—curb appeal isn't just at street level.
Wendy - October 07, 2008 01:24 PM
Sounds to me like people are awfully nosy to be staring that hard at somebody else's deck. I'd rather the dog stuff is on that person's deck that around the outside of the building on the sidewalk.
Andrea - October 07, 2008 01:47 PM
This is certainly generating a lot of comment. I agree that these boxes are usually very attractive and usually look like flower beds. Their footprint is low and hard to see. When I had The Pearl Retriever I had one on the deck as a product for people to see. The residents made a big "stink" about it, it wasn't written in the HOA rules and made me get rid of it anyway. Believe me they could not even see it from the ground even, it was hidden by bushes and dogs didn't even use it. Just the idea of it threw them. I have to say it really annoyed me.
shooter - October 07, 2008 01:36 PM
It’s not a matter of neighbors being nosy, although that does happen. Often you can’t help but look out right onto your neighbor’s deck because that is part of the view out your window. Also, if you open your window and are down wind, you are going to get the smell from your neighbor’s litter box, even if you can’t see it. A resident in one of the buildings had a couple dogs and let them use the balcony as the toilet. The owner would hose off the balcony to clean it, spraying everything onto the decks below. Not everyone is as courteous or conscientious as we’d like him or her to be. That is why there are so many rules in a condo association. Personally, I’d rather not see any dog poop anywhere. But how many people, regardless of where they live, don’t clean up after their dog? Too many.
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