Households in Normal could soon be allowed to have a maximum limit of one more pet, if an ordinance change is approved by the town council on Monday.
Town staff say in a memo to the council that pet limits are common among Illinois communities "as an exercise of police power to protect public health, safety and welfare."
The proposed ordinance would increase the number to three animals per species. So, if approved, three cats or three dogs would be allowed in a home, compared to current limit of two.
Town staff have said they hear frequent comments from residents who wish to keep a third dog or cat. Some complaints have come from multi-adult households and families with young adult children who return home, often leading to additional pets under one roof.
Normal said the change keeps a clear distinction between ordinary household pet ownership and higher intensity issues like boarding or kennels. The proposed amendment does not change standards of ownership, including behavior-based issues like leash, sanitation, or nuisance in the municipal code.
The amendment also does not alter or weaken protections for assistance animals governed by federal and state fair-housing and disability laws. Private leases and covenants are not affected and may continue to impose their respective limits.
Affordable housing assistance
If approved, Normal will develop formal evaluation standards to rental units in town that receive funding from the Community Development Block Grant [CDBG] program. The funding would be used to rehabilitate the units.
Staff have recommended the town follow standards laid out by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development [HUD] to ensure the rental units that receive funding meet CDBG’s affordability targets.
The standards include that the town review HUD’s approved income limits and its currently published fair market rents prior to approval of applications for assistance at rental housing units. The town also would review the lease agreements for any rental housing unit assisted to verify the rental rates charged are within HUD’s fair market rent limits.
The town also would make the current income guidelines and fair market rents available to the public on the town website.
The primary goal of HUD funding is to help support decent housing, suitable living environments and expanded economic opportunities.
Staff said it is common practice to check fair market rental rates, as it was previously not required after the annual rate updates from HUD. The measure would formalize the process and make it a requirement.
