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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.

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  1. Linda Hovden says: November 7, 2021

    I’ve got a service dog for PTSD, anxiety and depression. I called Country Inn and Sites in Decorah Is and asked if they were allowed and was there any extra fee. I was told Yes allowed, No extra charge. But when I was checking out I was told by the front desk staff that because my dog barked when I walked away that he was not a service dog. I was charged an extra $300 cleaning fee. When I called the manager he said that was his policy. Is there anything I can do to get my $ refunded??

    Reply
    • SDC says: November 8, 2021

      Hotels certainly cannot charge a fee to allow you to stay with your service dog, but they are allowed to charge for any damages your service animal causes. We’re not sure what happened in your circumstance, but you can certainly contest the fee if you feel that it was unjustly charged and your service dog did not create any issues beyond normal shedding.

      Reply
  2. Asa Johnson says: November 6, 2021

    Service animals are ONLY dogs as defined by law. No card or identification is needed. If discriminated against, record the interaction and go to court.

    Reply
    • SDC says: November 7, 2021

      It is correct that you do not need a card or ID to prove that your dog is a service animal.

      Reply
    • Curiousity says: November 13, 2021

      Can hotels list on their website that they do not allow service dogs? Because I wanted to stay at the Clarion Hotel Beachwood – Cleveland, but their website says that Service animals are not allowed (and it is listed under pets.)

      Reply
  3. Shelli says: September 28, 2021

    I happen to work.the front desk of a hotel and thankfully for testing most part people stating they have service animal have been legit. However my roommate had a guest whom he refused to accommodate with their “service animal” due to the fact that one was a 7&1/2 ft boa constrictor and the other a Gila monster(kimono Dragon) When I stopped being speechless and laughing hysterical I really wanted to know if he’d asked what services do the two quite unique choices of service animal do? I’ve been in industry long enough to be lucky enough to enjoy the service animal we have had along with the pets. I do try to ensure that every new front desk agent is fully aware of the laws pertaining to service animal and I don’t know what I’m going to do if ever have a service pony as a guest but I look forward to figuring it out.

    Reply
  4. Dave M Crockwell says: September 25, 2021

    Why is the Hotel/Motel owner NOT allowed to ask for ‘certification’ of the guest’s dog? We have been fooled by several young people who have a ‘Service Dog’ coat on and find out later that the animal is NOT a service animal. Therefore we are being cheated for not charging for the animal AND the repairs necessary to clean up after the animal and guest have left the premises. This is NOT fair to the Hotel/Motel owner. We have always honored our guests with their needs … but to be cheated is not acceptable. What does the ADA have to say about this?

    Reply
    • SDC says: September 26, 2021

      Hotel and motel owners are allowed to verify that someone has a service dog just like other third parties can – you can ask whether they need the service dog because of a disability and what work or task the dog has been trained to perform. The reason hotel and motel owners don’t have the right to ask for a “certification” is because certifications are not necessary to prove that you have a valid service animal.

      Reply
  5. Maggie Myer says: September 12, 2021

    Service dogs are a necessity for the people that need them. These people should not think about the cleanliness of the room. Yes, we wash the linens but…
    Why would they be so rude as to put a little black, dark colored dog on the bed, white duvet and light colored blanket? These people might carry a blanket with them for the dog so as not to soil the bedding so badly that it needs to be discarded?

    It has to be with them at all times???? but they are not!

    Reply
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