HOA Reminder · Pets & Animals
Pet Rules Reminder: What the HOA Restrictions Say — and Where City Rules Apply
Published: June 19, 2026
Pebble Creek is a pet-friendly neighborhood, and responsible pet ownership helps keep it that way. This reminder summarizes what our recorded HOA restrictions say about pets, and also points residents to the City of Shelby and Cleveland County resources that apply to animal issues not specifically addressed in the HOA covenants.
Quick summary: Household pets are allowed, but they must be kept inside the residence or within a fenced courtyard area, may not be chained in the yard, may not be bred as a hobby or for profit, and owners must clean up after pets when they relieve themselves anywhere other than the owner's own property.
What Pebble Creek's HOA Restrictions Say
The pet language appears in the Declaration of Restrictive Covenants, Section 6.3, Miscellaneous Use Restrictions. The restrictions do not name dogs separately; dogs are covered as household pets.
- Household pets only: No animals may be kept on a lot except household pets.
- Where pets must be kept: Pets must be kept only in the residence or within a fenced courtyard area.
- No chaining in the yard: Pets are not allowed to be chained in the yard of any residence.
- No breeding: Residents may not breed animals as a hobby or for profit.
- Cleanup required: Owners must clean up after any pet that relieves itself in any area other than the owner's own property.
HOA Enforcement Remedy
The covenants also provide an enforcement process. If a covenant violation remains uncured after written notice, the Association may impose a fine of $25 per day per violation after the notice period described in the restrictions. The goal is always voluntary compliance first: neighborly communication, a clear reminder of the rule, and a reasonable opportunity to correct the problem.
Items Not Covered in the HOA Restrictions
The recorded HOA restrictions do not appear to include separate rules for dog breeds, number of pets, leash requirements, barking/noise, pet weight limits, cats specifically, or detailed dangerous-animal procedures. Those issues may still be covered by City of Shelby ordinances, Cleveland County Animal Services, or state law.
City and County Remedies for Common Animal Issues
If an issue is not specifically addressed by the HOA restrictions, residents should use the appropriate city or county process below.
| Issue | Who Handles It | Practical Remedy |
|---|---|---|
| Barking or animal noise | City of Shelby Code Enforcement; Shelby Police for active after-hours disturbances | Document dates, times, duration, and recordings if possible. Contact Code Enforcement at 704-484-6829. For active late-night disturbances, call Shelby Police non-emergency at 704-484-6845. |
| Loose animals / animals at large | Cleveland County Animal Services Field Services | Call Animal Services at 704-481-9884. Shelby's animal ordinances prohibit livestock, fowl, and other animals from running at large on streets, sidewalks, or another person's property, and animals found at large may be impounded. |
| Dangerous or aggressive animals | Cleveland County Animal Services; 911 for emergencies | If there is immediate danger, call 911. For non-emergency dangerous-animal concerns, call Animal Services at 704-481-9884. Shelby's animal code addresses dangerous and potentially dangerous animals. |
| Rabies exposure or suspicious wildlife behavior | Cleveland County Animal Services; 911 after hours or for emergencies | Animal Services advises residents to call 704-481-9884 if a pet contacts an animal that may be a rabies carrier. Call 911 after regular business hours or for emergency situations. |
| Lost or found pets | Cleveland County Animal Services | Call 704-481-9884. Animal Services reports that field staff can scan animals for microchips, and impounded lost pets are held for a minimum period before evaluation for adoption. |
What Residents Should Do First
- Be neighborly when safe and practical. Many pet issues can be resolved with a courteous conversation.
- Document repeated problems. Keep a log with dates, times, duration, photos, or video/audio when appropriate.
- Use the right contact. HOA covenant issues can be reported to the HOA. City ordinance or animal-control issues should go to the City of Shelby, Shelby Police, or Cleveland County Animal Services depending on the situation.
- Use 911 for emergencies. Immediate danger, bites, attacks, or urgent rabies concerns should not wait for a routine complaint process.
Helpful Contacts
City of Shelby Code Enforcement
Public nuisance and code-enforcement questions: 704-484-6829
Shelby Police Department
Emergency: 911
Non-emergency: 704-484-6845
Cleveland County Animal Services Field Services
Animal services, animals at large, rabies exposure, lost/found pets: 704-481-9884
Sources
- Pebble Creek Declaration of Restrictive Covenants, Section 6.3.
- City of Shelby Code of Ordinances, Chapter 4 — Animals.
- City of Shelby Code of Ordinances, Chapter 16 — Environment / Noise / Nuisances.
- City of Shelby Code Enforcement.
- Cleveland County Animal Services Field Services.
This post is a community reminder and is not legal advice. If there is a conflict between this summary and the recorded covenants or applicable ordinances, the official documents control.