I lived in a townhouse when my husband and I got married. Similar to what you described -- ownership, exterior maintenance provided (big maintenance fee) interior maintenance owners' responsibility.

I had learned from previous experience with a very secretive condo board to ATTEND ALL MEETINGS. Pets came up at one of these meetings and the whole issue was hotly debated by both board members and non-board members. There were complaints of noisy pets (one man's ceiling is another man's floor -- or wall as the case may be) pets left to run lose in the complex, business not being picked up, etc.

Where as people who volunteer for boards do tend to like control, etc., I am forced to admit that I was too lazy to volunteer for the board myself. And, in this case at least, they put up with some really crazy and irate people. I'm not sure I could have without losing my cool far more than they did.

Unfortunately they sometimes had to make seemingly inane rules to deal with stupid people -- which is often a fact of life, no?

We made friends with board members so we would know in advance what was going on, could get our voice heard about issues, and have some "clout" (this is Chicago after all!)

So you might contact some of the board members. Ask for their help in understanding what the issue is here. You may find some of them very reasonable (and pet lovers too) who will help you around the situation.

If not, at least you will know better who and what you are dealing with and what your options are.

Sara