N.J. Stat. Ann. § 10:5-1 et seq. § 10:5-29.11
Civil penalty concerning person with a disability accompanied by guide or service dogs; complaint, action with Division on Civil Rights
Operative Text
1. a. Any person who interferes with or denies the access of a person with a disability accompanied by a service or guide dog to any public facility in violation of section 1 of P.L.1971, c.130 (C.10:5-29) shall, in addition to any other relief or affirmative action provided by law, be liable to a civil penalty of not less than: (1) $250 for the first violation; (2) $500 for the second violation; and (3) $1,000 for the third and each subsequent violation. b. The penalty shall be collected pursuant to the "Penalty Enforcement Law of 1999," P.L.1999, c.274 (C.2A:58-10 et seq.), in a summary proceeding before the municipal court having jurisdiction. A law enforcement officer having enforcement authority in that municipality shall issue a summons for a violation of the provisions of subsection a. of this section, and shall serve and execute all process with respect to the enforcement of this section consistent with the Rules of Court. The issuance of a summons pursuant to this subsection shall not prohibit an aggrieved party from filing a complaint or action with the Division on Civil Rights or in the Superior Court of New Jersey alleging a violation of the "Law Against Discrimination," P.L.1945, c.169 (C.10:5-1 et seq.), based on the same incident or conduct. In any instance where an aggrieved party files a complaint or action with the Division on Civil Rights or in the Superior Court of New Jersey alleging a violation of the "Law Against Discrimination" based on the same incident or conduct for which a civil penalty has been imposed pursuant to subsection a. of this section, the Division on Civil Rights or Superior Court of New Jersey, as the case may be, shall make a de novo ruling and any adjudication by the municipal court shall not constitute res judicata for the complaint or action filed with the Division on Civil Rights or in the Superior Court of New Jersey. c. The penalties assessed under this section shall be payable to the State Treasurer and shall be appropriated to the Department of Law and Public Safety to fund educational programs for law enforcement officers on the right of a person with a disability to have a service or guide dog in a place of public accommodation. d. The Attorney General shall establish a public awareness campaign to inform the public about the provisions of this act. L.2017, c.169, s.1.
Under N.J.S.A. 10:5-1 et seq. § 10:5-29.11, anyone who interferes with or denies access to a public facility for a person with a disability accompanied by a service or guide dog faces escalating civil penalties: $250 for a first violation, $500 for a second, and $1,000 for each subsequent offense. These penalties are enforced through municipal court proceedings and are paid to the State Treasurer to fund law enforcement education. Separately, an aggrieved individual may also pursue a complaint under New Jersey's Law Against Discrimination, and a municipal court ruling does not bar or bind that separate proceeding.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating public facilities should be aware that N.J.S.A. 10:5-1 et seq. § 10:5-29.11 imposes civil penalties on anyone who denies or interferes with access for a person with a disability accompanied by a service or guide dog. Compliant operators train staff to recognize service and guide dogs and ensure that no guest or visitor is turned away on that basis. Violations can trigger both municipal court penalties and separate civil rights proceedings, making consistent staff training a standard operational practice.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
N.J.S.A. 10:5-1 et seq. § 10:5-29.11 gives people with disabilities accompanied by service or guide dogs the right to access public facilities, backed by civil penalties against those who interfere. If access is denied, a law enforcement officer can issue a summons, and an aggrieved person may also file a complaint with the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights or in Superior Court under the Law Against Discrimination. Tenant-rights organizations and legal aid offices can help identify which enforcement path fits a given situation.
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 6, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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