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Are service dogs permitted in an apartment complex that states "no pets"?

My friend who is blind is coming to stay with us for the day and she has a service dog. We just moved to a new apartment complex that states no pets with the exception of service dogs. Is that just for people who are moving in to the apartment, or is my friends service dog allowed to come with them to our apartment? Can our apartment complex manager say no or is it illegal for them to do so?

14 Answers

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  • 8 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    Yes they are permitted.

    According to federal law, service dogs are legally not considered "pets". They are legally considered necessary pieces of medical equipment, much like a wheelchair or a cane.

    Since she's blind, and therefore it's obvious as to why she needs a service dog, no one legally should ask any questions, let alone ask for proof. Service dog handlers legally DO NOT need to carry proof that we need a service dog. We cannot legally be expected to carry around "proof", to show upon demand, everywhere we visit. If she was staying there for a few days, that may be different. Housing and service dogs are a HUD issue, not a ADA one.

    There are no certifications, registrations or licensure required by federal law, nor are service dog handlers required to show any.

    As a courtesy, inform management that your friend has a service dog and will be visiting.

    .

    Source(s): Visiting my parents apartment now - with my service dog. Service dog owner/handler and ADA service dog law violation investigator
  • Anonymous
    5 years ago

    If your daughter has a service dog I bet she has access to some resources that have printouts on the law. I think service animals are covered under Americans with Disability Act and if SHE can visit overnight, the dog can. But I would check with an organization or government agency that deals with special abilities, or the agency that provided the dog. And I would think Los Angeles would be one of the places that would have laws more friendly to the disabled, but in any case do not just take the word of the first person at the apartment who accosts you. The issue of another tenant with allergies does present the biggest problem, because you are then dealing with competing medical issues. But there may be laws dealing with service animals that override leases, find it in print before taking anyone's word for it, you may need it in print to give to your landlord.

  • 8 years ago

    Assuming that it is an official service dog, then they have to allow the dog in. You do need to follow the rules for guests/visitors. It should not be a problem, but make sure she has the paperwork.

    I mention proof because in my state, just about anyone can claim their animal is a service animal and they had to allow it. They did change the law to limit the type of animal (people were claiming snakes and spiders as service animals). I know some folks are buying the vests and claiming the dogs are service animals when it is clear, from their behavior, that they are not. (I worked with a woman in a wheelchair who trained dogs while she was doing her office job.)

    Source(s): (I worked with a woman in a wheelchair who trained dogs while she was doing her office job.)
  • 8 years ago

    If a person has a service dog for either physical or psychological reasons, the service dog can go anywhere with them. The service dog is considered an extension of the person, and it is illegal for anyone to deny them entrance anywhere. Most animals are restricted from going into most restaurants and other establishments. However, a service dog is not considered an animal.

    If your apt. complex manager denies your blind friend entrance because of her dog, your friend has a legitimate reason to sue the manager and/or the complex. I'm sure the apt. mgr. knows this already, but you might want to mention this to him or her, so you don't encounter any problems during your friends visit.

    Source(s): Worked with the Blind Federation for several years. Also lived in an apt. complex that had 2 female military veterans in 2 separate apts. They each had PTSD and had service dogs for psychiatric reasons.
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  • ?
    Lv 5
    8 years ago

    Visitors are welcomes. Just make sure your friend has the paperwork that shows the dog is a service dog. Just because they may have the vest, does not mean the dog is a service dog. The paperwork will show proof of this. But, I'm sure your friend knows the requirement of carrying the proper paperwork.

  • 8 years ago

    Yes. A service dog is not a pet.

  • Mutt
    Lv 7
    8 years ago

    As long as they are certified as a service dog, the apartment will allow it.

  • Rayn
    Lv 5
    8 years ago

    Unless your lease agreement has stipulations restricting who you are allowed to have as guests, then yes. They are permitted because otherwise this is a civil liberties issue because the manager is not complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) because he is restricting people from entering the premises based on their Disability.

  • 8 years ago

    In general, it is illegal to deny access to service animals. In the U.S., state laws cover this, and most are consistent, although there may be some variation in wording and how they define 'service animals'.

  • ?
    Lv 6
    8 years ago

    The law says that a service animal has a "special" go anywhere pass

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