Service Animals In California Restaurants

Emotional support animals do not qualify as service animals under the ADA the California Unruh Civil Rights Act nor the Disabled Persons Act said Alden Parker an attorney with Fisher.

Service animals in california restaurants. Service animals must be allowed to accompany their handlers to and through self-service food lines. California State Law CSL Service Animals are allowed in dining and sales areas not used for food preparation only and employees with service animals must wash their hands after handling the animal. Guides people who are blind.

Similarly service animals may not be prohibited from communal food preparation areas such as are commonly found in shelters or dormitories. The ADA supersedes any local health department regulations banning animals. And no person shall allow any animal to enter in any store that sells food except for service animals as provided in RSA 167-D.

Health and Safety Code 1142594-5 2007. Establishments that sell or prepare food must allow service animals in public areas even if state or local health codes prohibit animals on the premises. This federal law applies to all businesses open to the public including restaurants hotels taxis and shuttles grocery and department stores hospitals and medical offices theaters health clubs parks and zoos.

Although service dogs are protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act ADA similar protections do not apply to Psychiatric Service or Emotional Support Dogs unless you live in San Francisco. The exception for service animals is made to be consistent with the Federal Americans with Disabilities Act ADA. Here are the basics of what your staff should know.

Service Animals in Food Facilities. PAWS Service Dogs are custom-trained to assist people with physical disabilities affecting one or more limbs. Animals which meet this definition are considered service animals whether or not they have been licensed or certified by a state or local government.

No person shall bring any animal into any restaurant or any store that sells food. Service animals and patrol animals are allowed in areas that are not used for food preparation and that are. A Except as specified in this section live animals may not be allowed in a food facility.