N.J. Stat. Ann. § 10:5-1 et seq. § 10:5-29
Person with a disability; accompaniment by service or guide dog; use of public facilities; liabilities
Operative Text
1. Any person with a disability accompanied by a service or guide dog trained by a recognized training agency or school is entitled, with his dog, to the full and equal enjoyment, advantages, facilities and privileges of all public facilities, subject only to the following conditions: a. A person with a disability, if accompanied by a service or guide dog, shall keep such dog in his immediate custody at all times; b. A person with a disability accompanied by a service or guide dog shall not be charged any extra fee or payment for admission to or use of any public facility; c. A person with a disability who has a service or guide dog in his possession shall be liable for any damages done to the premises of a public facility by such dog. d. (Deleted by amendment; P.L.1981, c. 391.) L.1971,c.130,s.1; amended 1977, c.456, s.2; 1980, c.46, s.5; 1981, c.391, s.1; 1983, c.485, s.4; 2003, c.180, s.18.
Under N.J.S.A. 10:5-29, people with disabilities who use a service or guide dog trained by a recognized agency or school have the right to full and equal access to public facilities alongside their dog. Operators of public facilities may not charge extra fees for the dog's presence. At the same time, the person with the disability bears financial responsibility for any damage the dog causes to the facility's premises.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under N.J.S.A. 10:5-29, operators of public facilities — which can include rental housing common areas and other covered spaces — are generally expected to admit tenants or visitors with trained service or guide dogs without imposing surcharges or additional pet fees. Compliant operators do not treat the presence of a recognized service or guide dog as grounds for denial of access or extra charges. Operators may, however, look to the dog's handler for reimbursement of any actual damage the animal causes to the premises.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
N.J.S.A. 10:5-29 establishes that a person with a disability has the right to be accompanied by a trained service or guide dog in public facilities without being charged extra fees for the dog's presence. If a facility operator denies access or imposes an unlawful surcharge, a tenant or visitor may have grounds to raise that conduct as a violation of New Jersey's Law Against Discrimination. General enforcement paths include filing a complaint with the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights or consulting a tenant-rights organization familiar with disability accommodation law.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 14, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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