N.J. Stat. Ann. § 10:5-1 et seq. § 10:5-29.5
Violations, misrepresentation, interference with disabled persons, guide or service dogs; fine
Operative Text
7. Any person who violates the provisions of P.L.1977, c.456 in a manner not otherwise prohibited by P.L.1945, c.169 (C.10:5-1 et seq.), or who fits a dog with a harness of the type commonly used by blind persons in order to represent that such dog is a guide dog when training of the type that guide dogs normally receive has not in fact, been provided, or who otherwise intentionally interferes with the rights of a person with a disability, who is accompanied by a guide or service dog, or the function or the ability to function of a guide or service dog, shall be fined not less than $100 and not more than $500. L.1977,c.456,s.7; amended 2005, c.258.
Under N.J.S.A. 10:5-29.5, New Jersey law prohibits three categories of conduct: violating the 1977 guide-dog access statute in ways not already covered by the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (N.J.S.A. 10:5-1 et seq.); fraudulently outfitting an untrained dog with a guide-dog harness to misrepresent it as a trained guide dog; and intentionally interfering with the rights of a person with a disability who is accompanied by a guide or service dog, or with the dog's ability to function. Anyone found to have committed any of these acts is subject to a civil fine ranging from $100 to $500.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under N.J.S.A. 10:5-29.5 generally ensure that tenants or visitors with disabilities who are accompanied by guide or service dogs are not obstructed, harassed, or otherwise impeded in their access or use of the animal. Compliant operators also avoid any conduct that could be construed as interfering with the dog's ability to perform its function. Familiarity with both this provision and the broader New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (N.J.S.A. 10:5-1 et seq.) helps operators understand the full scope of their obligations regarding service and guide animals.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
N.J.S.A. 10:5-29.5 establishes that individuals with disabilities who rely on guide or service dogs have a protected right to be free from intentional interference with themselves or their animals. If someone fraudulently misrepresents an untrained dog as a guide dog, or otherwise obstructs a person's use of a legitimate service animal, that conduct is subject to a fine of $100 to $500. Tenants who believe their rights under this provision have been violated may consider contacting the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights, consulting a tenant-rights organization, or exploring whether the conduct also implicates protections under N.J.S.A. 10:5-1 et seq.
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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