Three charges, one of which is monthly
Most listings say “pet friendly” and quote one number. There are usually three, and pet-friendly locating itemizes all of them before you tour.
| Charge | When | Refundable | In monthly cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pet fee | Once, at move-in | No | No |
| Pet deposit | Once, at move-in | Yes, subject to damage | No |
| Monthly pet rent | Every month, per animal | No | Yes |
Only the third belongs in the fee stack. At two animals it can move the ranking between two buildings on its own.
Some properties add a PetScreening fee, charged by a third-party service that collects records and verifies breed and weight. That is separate again.
Breed and weight rules come from the building
The City of Dallas has no breed-specific legislation. Restricted breed lists here are set by individual properties and their insurers.
What varies between properties:
- Which breeds and mixes are named
- The weight ceiling — 50, 65, and 80 pounds are all common
- The count cap — usually one or two animals
- Multi-pet premiums, where the second animal costs more monthly than the first
- Whether a pet interview or veterinary reference is required
Because none of that is a market rule, generalizing wastes an application fee. Check your specific breed and weight against the specific property.
What to have ready
- Current rabies certificate and vaccination record
- A photo of the animal
- Weight, breed or mix, and age
- Veterinary contact if a reference is required
- A PetScreening profile if the property uses one
Some properties run pet DNA registration for waste enforcement, which adds a one-time fee.
Assistance animals are not pets
Under the Fair Housing Act, service animals and emotional support animals are not pets. A property may not charge a pet fee, pet deposit, or pet rent for one, and breed and weight restrictions do not apply the same way. HUD’s assistance animal guidance sets out how a reasonable accommodation request works, and Texas Human Resources Code Section 121.006 addresses service animals in housing. We do not ask about disability. Tell us the animal is an assistance animal and we treat it as the law does.
Cats and other animals
Weight and breed restrictions generally target dogs. Cats are more often subject only to the fee structure and the count cap, though some properties charge identically for either.
Other animals — birds, reptiles, small mammals — are addressed inconsistently. Ask rather than assume, because a pet addendum that does not mention your animal is not the same as permission.
What to check on the tour
- Where the relief area is, and how far from your unit at 6am
- Whether there is a dog run and whether it is maintained
- Which floor, and whether the elevator makes four walks a day realistic
- Hard surface or carpet, which affects both deposit exposure and noise complaints
Send the specifics
Species, breed or mix, weight, age, and how many. Plus budget, move date, and the neighborhood or commute you need.
We pre-clear the situation against tracked property criteria and send back only properties whose stated rules fit — with the pet fee, deposit, and monthly pet rent itemized into total monthly cost. That is pet-friendly locating, free to you.