N.J. Stat. Ann. § 10:5-1 et seq. § 10:5-29.7
Definitions relative to access for certain working dogs
Operative Text
1. As used in this act: "Housing accommodation" means the same as the term is defined in subsection u. of section 5 of P.L.1945, c.169 (C.10:5-5); "Public facility" means the same as the term is defined in subsection v. of section 5 of P.L.1945, c.169 (C.10:5-5); and "Working dog" means any dog trained for the purpose of human search and rescue, body recovery, arson detection, bomb detection, narcotics detection, criminal apprehension, police assistance or other related purposes, whether in the performance of such tasks or while traveling to or from such tasks. L.2006, c.88, s.1.
N.J.S.A. 10:5-1 et seq. § 10:5-29.7 is a definitional provision that establishes the meaning of three key terms used throughout the working-dog access law. It ties 'housing accommodation' and 'public facility' to definitions already found in New Jersey's Law Against Discrimination, and it defines 'working dog' as any dog trained for tasks such as search and rescue, arson detection, narcotics detection, or police assistance—whether actively on duty or traveling to or from an assignment. These definitions set the scope for the broader protections and obligations that follow in the act.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers subject to New Jersey's housing laws should be aware that N.J.S.A. 10:5-1 et seq. § 10:5-29.7 anchors the term 'housing accommodation' to the same meaning used in the Law Against Discrimination, meaning the working-dog access rules apply across the same broad range of rental and residential properties already covered by that statute. Compliant operators generally familiarize themselves with what qualifies as a 'working dog' under this provision—including dogs traveling to or from an assignment—so they can recognize when access obligations may be triggered. Consulting the full text of the act alongside this definitional section helps operators understand the complete scope of their responsibilities.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants and individuals who work with or handle working dogs should know that N.J.S.A. 10:5-1 et seq. § 10:5-29.7 provides the foundational definitions that determine whether a dog and a property fall within the protections of New Jersey's working-dog access law. Because 'working dog' is defined to include dogs engaged in a wide range of official tasks—even while in transit—handlers may have grounds to assert access rights in housing accommodations as defined by the Law Against Discrimination. Tenants who believe their rights under this provision have been violated may consider filing a complaint with the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights or reaching out to a tenant-rights organization for general guidance.
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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