Can hotels charge a fee to accomodate a service dog?
#3

Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 23,446
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I would tend to agree with you, but I am not sure that all states recognize disabilities for which one has a service dog. The one example I can think of is that apparently in California a person subject to depression may have a dog as a companion and it is recognized as a service dog. Would that apply in other states?
#5
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 846
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Google is amazing
straight from the Dept of Justice website http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/qasrvc.htm
"Q: Can I charge a maintenance or cleaning fee for customers who bring service animals into my business?
A: No. Neither a deposit nor a surcharge may be imposed on an individual with a disability as a condition to allowing a service animal to accompany the individual with a disability, even if deposits are routinely required for pets. However, a public accommodation may charge its customers with disabilities if a service animal causes damage so long as it is the regular practice of the entity to charge non-disabled customers for the same types of damages. For example, a hotel can charge a guest with a disability for the cost of repairing or cleaning furniture damaged by a service animal if it is the hotel's policy to charge when non-disabled guests cause such damage."
straight from the Dept of Justice website http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/qasrvc.htm
"Q: Can I charge a maintenance or cleaning fee for customers who bring service animals into my business?
A: No. Neither a deposit nor a surcharge may be imposed on an individual with a disability as a condition to allowing a service animal to accompany the individual with a disability, even if deposits are routinely required for pets. However, a public accommodation may charge its customers with disabilities if a service animal causes damage so long as it is the regular practice of the entity to charge non-disabled customers for the same types of damages. For example, a hotel can charge a guest with a disability for the cost of repairing or cleaning furniture damaged by a service animal if it is the hotel's policy to charge when non-disabled guests cause such damage."
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
It seems you would be correct, it is illegal
http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/animal.htm
Q: Can I charge a maintenance or cleaning fee for customers who bring service animals into my business?
A: No. Neither a deposit nor a surcharge may be imposed on an individual with a disability as a condition to allowing a service animal to accompany the individual with a disability, even if deposits are routinely required for pets. However, a public accommodation may charge its customers with disabilities if a service animal causes damage so long as it is the regular practice of the entity to charge non-disabled customers for the same types of damages. For example, a hotel can charge a guest with a disability for the cost of repairing or cleaning furniture damaged by a service animal if it is the hotel's policy to charge when non-disabled guests cause such damage.
http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/animal.htm
Q: Can I charge a maintenance or cleaning fee for customers who bring service animals into my business?
A: No. Neither a deposit nor a surcharge may be imposed on an individual with a disability as a condition to allowing a service animal to accompany the individual with a disability, even if deposits are routinely required for pets. However, a public accommodation may charge its customers with disabilities if a service animal causes damage so long as it is the regular practice of the entity to charge non-disabled customers for the same types of damages. For example, a hotel can charge a guest with a disability for the cost of repairing or cleaning furniture damaged by a service animal if it is the hotel's policy to charge when non-disabled guests cause such damage.
#7
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 492
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#9
Original Poster
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,203
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I swear I tried to google it before posting... I must have used bad keywords. Thanks so much for helping me out. I have a hotel I am working with that documents that they charge and I really felt something was kooky with that...
I started my conference call with them 14 minutes ago, so these responses will make me look like I am really well informed!
Thanks!!!
I started my conference call with them 14 minutes ago, so these responses will make me look like I am really well informed!
Thanks!!!



