Reasonably Accommodate. Associations must reasonably accommodate persons with disabilities who use guide, signal or service dogs. As provided for in the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing guidelines:

Persons with disabilities have the right to use the services of a guide, signal or service dog or other such designated animal and to keep such animals in or around their dwellings. Landlords may reasonably regulate the presence of the animals on their premises but may not impose any extra charges or security deposits. Tenants, however, are liable for any damage caused by their animals when proof of such damage exists.

Service Animal Defined.The ADA definition of a service animal was revised effective March 15, 2011 to mean the following:

Service animal means any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. Other species of animals, whether wild or domestic, trained or untrained, are not service animals for the purposes of this definition. The work or tasks performed by a service animal must be directly related to the handler´s disability. Examples of work or tasks include, but are not limited to, assisting individuals who are blind or have low vision with navigation and other tasks, alerting individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing to the presence of people or sounds, providing non-violent protection or rescue work, pulling a wheelchair, assisting an individual during a seizure, alerting individuals to the presence of allergens, retrieving items such as medicine or the telephone, providing physical support and assistance with balance and stability to individuals with mobility disabilities, and helping persons with psychiatric and neurological disabilities by preventing or interrupting impulsive or destructive behaviors. The crime deterrent effects of an animal´s presence and the provision of emotional support, well-being, comfort, or companionship do not constitute work or tasks for the purposes of this definition. [For more information see Final Rule for Title II.]

Companion Dogs. Companion dogs provide emotional support to persons with depression or other psychiatric disabilities.

Therapy Animals. Therapy animals are used by medical and counseling centers to treat patients with various emotional or social problems. Therapy animals include cats, dogs, rabbits, horses, etc.

Proof of Disability. Boards can require proof of disability before allowing an animal that violates the association's restrictions. Boards cannot demand to know the specific disability, only that the person has a disability and the service animal is required. Such proof is usually in the form of a doctor's letter.