Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Illinois

First, remember that townhome rules MUST follow from the declaration. Even if the rule appears properly enacted on its face, it can't change the declaration without the formalities of changes of the declaration, which may involve a majority owner vote. If the declaration is silent on pets or simply gives the association complete control over the issue, you're right, "usually" changes that adversely impact owners have some kind of grandfathering. You may want to check the general rule provisions that may provide for that elsewhere in them, and if you're not sure you can certainly check with the association and/or its management company. Beyond that it may have an effective date now or in the future, but if not it is possible to make rule changes even like this without grandfathering as long as it's applicable to everyone.... but you may be able to challenge the rule under other declaration provisions....

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