Lodging establishments are covered by a federal law called the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and generally must not deny access to people working with service animals. Visit our Public Access page for more general information about service animals and the ADA. Also, some states and municipalities have laws that provide more protection than the ADA for people with service animals. Places of lodging include hotels, inns, motels, emergency shelters, campgrounds, sporting camps and other places of transient lodging. In some instances, time shares and vacation home rentals may also be covered. Check out Airbnb’s Accessibility Policy and Nondiscrimination Policy. The ADA does not cover owner-occupied establishments with five or fewer rooms but state laws may provide broader access.

Guests with service animals are allowed in areas such as dining rooms and buffets; swimming pool areas although the dogs are not allowed in the water; salons and spas; shuttle services; fitness centers and any other place guests are normally allowed. When assigning rooms, guests with service animals may not be restricted to “smoking” or “pet” rooms or floors; charged extra fees or deposits generally paid by patrons with pets; or be required to sign a pet policy. Hotels and other lodging establishments cannot charge guests with service animals cleaning fees for dog hair or dander that is shed by a service animal, but the establishment can charge a guest with a service animal the same types of fees they charge other guests for damages.

For more information about service animals and the ADA, check out the Department of Justice’s Requirements and frequently asked questions. If you are looking for tips on what to do when you encounter a guide dog team, take a look at this etiquette sheet.