Do you own or operate a small business in Placer County or Nevada County California? Are you confused about whether or not you must allow service animals in your place of business? What about emotional support or therapy animals?
Business News Daily published an informative article in April of 2019 clearly distinguishing between the two types of animals and how business should handle these situations. Services Animals and Small Business: What You Need to Know is a great resource for local Auburn, Colfax, Grass Valley, or Nevada City business owners to reference in determining the laws surrounding these questions.
Local businesses or any public place must allow service animals to accompany their handler, provided that they are not a threat to others. According to the article, “Businesses can ask if a dog is a service animal and what work task they have been trained to perform, if it is not obvious. However, they are not allowed to demand any verification for the dog or inquire about their handler’s disability. – Companies can be fined for violating the rights of people with service animals.”
Because local laws determine the permissibility of emotional support animals, there are varying regulations per state regarding this. The article goes on to say that, “California has more extensive legislation protecting emotional support animals…California creates three types of support animals with separate rules. The definition of a service dog and an emotional support animal are the same.” I would take this to mean that the same rules apply to emotional support animals in Placer County and Nevada County businesses as they do for service animals.
You can read the full article here.
Are you a commercial property owner and cannot keep up with laws like this to inform your commercial tenants? We can help with questions like this as your property manager. Barrett Property Management, Inc. provides commercial property management services to Placer County and Nevada County, CA investment property owners. Call us today at 530.362.7072 or email info@barrettpm.com for more information.
