Airbnb and Service Dogs: Everything You Need to Know

As a host on Airbnb, you're likely aware that service dogs are allowed in all types of listings. This means you don't have to worry about turning away guests with service animals.

According to Airbnb's policy, service dogs are defined as dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. These tasks can range from guiding the visually impaired to alerting the hearing impaired.

Service dogs are not considered pets, and their owners are not required to provide any special documentation. However, hosts may ask for verification of the service dog's status, but this can only be done through a private message.

As a host, you're responsible for accommodating guests with service dogs, but you're not required to make any special arrangements or changes to your listing.

If this caught your attention, see: Tasks Service Dogs Perform

Service dogs are protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act, and they're allowed to accompany their owners in all areas of the rental property where guests are allowed.

You don't need to provide any documentation for a service animal when booking an Airbnb. However, if a host asks, you can only be asked two questions: whether the guest requires their service animal because of a disability and what work or task the service animal has been trained to perform.

It's against the law for hotels or Airbnb hosts to deny access to a service dog because a member of staff or the public is frightened of dogs or because they don't allow pets. This includes requesting papers that certify your animal, as no current law requires owners of service dogs to carry such documentation.

Hotel staff may ask you to provide proof of a service dog, but you have the right to stay in hotels without certification. If they deny access, you can start a legal process against the establishment based on discrimination.

Here are the two questions a host or hotel staff can ask you about your service animal:

If you're a host, you should allow a service animal to accompany its owner during a stay, and you can't charge a pet fee for that.

You're allowed to bring your service dog to an Airbnb, and hosts can't charge you extra fees for it.

Even if a host has a no-pet policy, they must make an exception for service animals by law.

You don't need to provide documentation for your service dog, but hosts can ask two specific questions: whether you require the service animal because of a disability and what work or task the animal has been trained to perform.

Hosts can't charge pet fees for service animals, and Airbnb won't allow it.

If you or a family member has allergies, you may qualify for an exemption, but Airbnb requires medical proof.

Here are the specific questions hosts can ask about your service dog:

Service animals are usually dogs, although miniature horses can also qualify. They are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities, for example, assisting people with impaired vision.

A service animal is a dog that receives training to perform a task to help a person with a disability. Some examples of service animal tasks are:

Emotional support animals, on the other hand, do not receive training to complete a task, but they are part of a person’s medical treatment and provide vital comfort.

Service animals are trained to do a specific task for their owner, such as a guide dog.

An assistance animal can be a cat, dog, or other type of companion animal, and does not need to be trained to perform a service.

The term "service animal" is often used by landlords and public housing authorities to refer to both service dogs and assistance animals, creating confusion.

Emotional support animals provide comfort and support to those with emotional or mental health conditions, helping alleviate symptoms of mental health disorders like anxiety and depression.

Related reading: Are Emotional Support Dogs Service Dogs

An emotional support animal is not trained to perform specific tasks to assist people with disabilities, unlike a service animal.

Under the Fair Housing Act, landlords must make reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities, including allowing emotional support animals in rental properties with a no-pet policy.

The Fair Housing Act applies to landlords in all 50 states, requiring them to make exceptions for service dogs and emotional support animals.

Hosts may decline the presence of emotional support animals from a stay, but are required to accept them if local government regulations mandate it.

If a host allows an emotional support animal, they may charge a pet fee to the guest, but cannot ask for information or documentation beyond the questions they are allowed to ask about service animals.

You might enjoy: Petting Service Dogs

Service animals are usually dogs, although miniature horses can also qualify. They are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities.

Airbnb defines a service animal as a dog that receives training to perform a task to help a person with a disability. Some examples of service animal tasks include helping someone who is vision impaired, alerting people who have a hearing impairment, and assisting someone with a seizure disorder.

Airbnb considers both service animals and emotional support animals as "assistance animals." Emotional support animals do not receive training to complete a task but are part of a person's medical treatment and provide vital comfort.

Here are some examples of tasks that a service animal might be trained to perform:

If you're a host, you can only ask a guest if they require their service animal because of a disability and what work or task the service animal has been trained to perform.

Communication is key when it comes to hosting guests with service animals. A friendly conversation with your guests can go a long way in preparing them for any potential challenges their service animal may face within your property.

Be aware that guests don't have a legal obligation to disclose details about service animals and ESAs before booking, but a conversation can help them feel more at ease. They'll appreciate knowing what to expect from your property and how to overcome any challenges.

Hosts can warn their guests of potential challenges that the service animal or ESA may face within their property and how they can go about overcoming them. This can include informing guests of any necessary assistance that may be required for the guest and their animal.

Guests are not required to disclose the presence of a service animal before booking, so it's essential to have a good rapport with your guests to be prepared.

Here are the only questions hosts can ask about service animals:

By asking these questions, you can better understand the needs of your guests and their service animals, making their stay more enjoyable and comfortable.