N.J. Stat. Ann. § 10:5-1 et seq. § 10:5-29.6
Rights and privileges relative to service dogs
Operative Text
9. Whenever the law accords rights and privileges to or imposes conditions and restrictions upon blind persons with respect to their use of dogs to countervail their disability, and known and described as "seeing eye" dogs, those rights, privileges, conditions and restrictions shall also apply to persons with disabilities with respect to their use of dogs to countervail their disability, and known and described as either "service dogs" or "hearing ear" dogs. L.1980,c.46,s.9; amended 1983, c.485, s.8; 2003, c.180, s.23.
Under N.J.S.A. 10:5-29.6, New Jersey law extends to all persons with disabilities the same rights and privileges regarding service dogs and hearing ear dogs that were originally established for blind individuals using seeing eye dogs. Whatever protections, conditions, or restrictions apply to blind persons and their guide dogs apply equally to any person with a disability who uses a dog to assist with that disability. The provision ensures that the legal framework for dog-assisted disability accommodation is not limited to one category of disability or one type of assistance dog.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under New Jersey law should be aware that N.J.S.A. 10:5-29.6 places service dogs and hearing ear dogs on equal legal footing with seeing eye dogs, meaning the same accommodations that must be extended to blind tenants with guide dogs must also be extended to any tenant with a disability who relies on a recognized assistance dog. Compliant operators generally apply a consistent policy across all categories of assistance dogs rather than treating different disability types differently. Reviewing existing pet and animal policies to ensure they do not inadvertently distinguish between types of assistance dogs is a common practice among operators seeking to align with this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
N.J.S.A. 10:5-29.6 affirms that tenants with disabilities who use service dogs or hearing ear dogs hold the same rights as blind individuals who use seeing eye dogs under New Jersey law. If a landlord refuses to honor those rights or imposes conditions that would not be applied to a seeing eye dog user, that disparity may constitute a violation of this provision. Tenants who believe their rights under this section have been denied may consider contacting the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights, a local tenant-rights organization, or consulting with a legal aid office to understand available options.
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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