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Service Dog Rules for Staying in Hotels

Service Dog Rules for Staying in Hotels

Service dogs’ access rights to hotels are part of the public access rights bestowed on service dogs and their handlers under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This means they cannot be treated as pets and can generally go wherever their handlers can at no additional cost. Unfortunately, this doesn’t stop certain hotels and staff from infringing on these rights. The following information is a thorough overview of the main points to know about service dogs and hotels.

Can hotels charge for a service dog?

No. Under the ADA, the hotel cannot charge an extra fee for the service animal as they would a client with a pet. This also means you and your dog will be allowed in public areas of the hotel, as well as to a room and floors not normally designated for people traveling with pets.

What to expect from hotels and service dogs

Verification questions: When traveling with a service animal, according to the ADA, the hotel staff only has the right to ask you two questions:

  1. Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability?
  2. What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?

If the task is apparent (seeing-eye dog, wheelchair-related), the staff has no right to inquire about the service dog or your disability. When dealing with ignorant hotel staff members, presenting your service dog certification and identification card can help alleviate tension. Remember, the staff members are only employees and might not be properly trained in dealing with service animals in the hotel. Keep in mind, however, that under the ADA hotel staff cannot insist on seeing documents as a condition of entry.

What can hotel staff ask about your service dog - Infographic

In addition, the hotel staff still has to act according to the rules of conduct the general public should adhere to concerning a service dog. These include:

  • No petting the dog
  • No speaking to, teasing, or distracting the dog
  • No feeding the dog or interfering with its work

The staff is also not required to help you perform any tasks related to the service dog, such as taking it out to relieve itself, feeding it, handling it, etc.

Service dog card registration

Following the rules of the hotel

Under the ADA, persons with disabilities have several rights. However, you will still be expected to follow the rules of the hotel as they are set forth for all their visiting clients.

Your service dog must be under your control at all times, whether this is by means of a leash, hand gestures, or voice control. Your dog cannot become unruly. In addition, if your service dog were to damage anything in the hotel room, you are still liable for the cost of those damages.

Staying at an Airbnb with your service dog

With Airbnb as a popular hotel alternative among travelers, the application of the ADA is crucial. Airbnb hosts in the United States must allow service animals if they rent out the entire home or apartment to an Airbnb guest. Airbnb’s nondiscrimination policy requires hosts to allow all service animals into their homes. Please research your specific destination before booking an Airbnb that you plan on staying at with your service dog.

Service dog visiting an Airbnb with its handler
Airbnb hosts must apply to the ADA and allow service animals into their rentals.

The history of service dogs under the ADA

The ADA was established in 1990 and was put into place to prevent establishments from discriminating against people with physical or mental disabilities, extending the protections to any companion that may accompany them for support. Over time, “companions” began referring less to humans and more to members of the animal kingdom. Many people used this policy to treat exotic pets, such as reptiles, ferrets, pigs, and parrots, as “service animals.”

To stop people from taking advantage of the intended scope of the ADA, amendments have been made to these rules. These changes state that only dogs are considered as service animals. 

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Distinguish your Service Dog from a Pet

Many hotels have policies against pets, but service dogs are not pets. An ID can help distinguish your service dog from a pet, ensuring you get access to your room and other hotel facilities without hassle.

Under the ADA, hotels can’t require documentation for service dogs, but having an ID card can simplify interactions with hotel staff who may not be familiar with service dog laws.

Remember, while ID cards, certificates and other documents can be helpful, they do not convey any rights under the ADA.

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About the Author: The writing team at Service Dog Certifications is made up of folks who really know their stuff when it comes to disability laws and assistance animals. Many of our writers and editors have service dogs themselves and share insights from their own experiences. All of us have a passion for disability rights and animals.

390 comments

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  1. Teresa Badgley-LaRue says: April 5, 2024

    I am currently in a housing the homeless program in Mesa,As. I want to know if my service dog falls under the same conditions she’s rules about having to trim in a kennel unless being walked… The mental health inc. Is saying pet
    Policy is that all any and all dogs are to remain locked in the kennel in your room unless you are feeding them or walking them outside I have a service animal that is in training and she’s a seizure alert and response is there an Arizona 88 law that says that otherwise?

    Reply
    • SDC says: April 5, 2024

      The ADA and Fair Housing rules should allow anyone in a housing facility to be accompanied by a service dog for their disability at all times. The housing facility can only refuse accommodation if there is a valid concern for health or safety.

      Reply
  2. Tanya Spencer says: March 30, 2024

    I was recently asked to leave a breakfast room with my service dog. I was told I had to take my food to my room. Is this legal?

    Reply
    • SDC says: April 3, 2024

      Service dog owners have the right to enjoy their meals in the dining area like other non-disabled hotel guests. Unless the hotel had a valid reason (for example if the service dog was being aggressive or unclean), they would not be able to refuse accommodation for a service dog owner.

      Reply
  3. Vincint says: March 22, 2024

    I recently stayed in a hotel and I was charged a “cleaning fee” for my service dog, When I disclosed that he was a service dog and I wasn’t supposed to be charged for him they said it’s not a charge for the pet, but for the cleaning fee, because of “pet dander” ……. is this legal??

    Reply
    • SDC says: March 26, 2024

      Hotels are not allowed to charge for normal wear and tear caused by a service dog. They can only charge a fee if a service dog damaged the property somehow.

      Reply
    • J Miller says: April 4, 2024

      I went to a motel and took my dog in they said it was no charge I showed them the proper paper work for a service dog and after I left I was charged 100.00 on my. Credit card. . I left the room clean and in very nice condition and I made sure no hair or anything was left behind . They never refunded my money I even had pictures on my phone of the condition I left it in . They took advantage of me and is it really worth taking them to court ? I dont think so . Just beware make sure to get something before you stay or they can get you . Make some kind of form and have them agree or something im my opinion . Just a heads up

      Reply
  4. Arla Terrell says: February 25, 2024

    I stayed at a hotel that agreed to allow my service dog, I was charged an extra $500 when I checked out. I was told by the house cleaning department that the room smelled like a dog so they charged the $500…stating that the room could not be rented out because of the smell. I disputed the charge through my credit card dispute department and the hotel will not remove this absurd charge. What are my rights?

    Reply
    • SDC says: February 27, 2024

      Hotels cannot charge a service dog owner for normal cleaning. They can however impose fees if the dog causes damage beyond normal wear and tear.

      Reply
  5. Tara says: February 22, 2024

    So I went to a hotel in Florida and explained that my animal was a service animal for my disability. The manager argued with me stating that every service animal is registered and receives an ID card. But when I investigate it states that the ADA does not require a dog to be registered. That yes an ID card can help but all those sites stating that they register your dog are actually scams. So my question is this hotel manager told me that because I wanted to try and tell her she was lying about dogs being registered that I’m not allowed to stay there and kept my money. What do I do?

    Reply
    • SDC says: February 23, 2024

      You are indeed correct, no one can force a service dog owner to show proof of registration or an ID card. We offer these items for the convenience of service dog handlers precisely because of situations like these where third parties insist upon them. We recommend you reach out to the management of the hotel to let them know what occurred.

      Reply
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