Northeast · Service dog laws · New York
What can a business in New York ask about my service dog?
Educational content, not legal advice. For your specific situation, consult a state-licensed attorney.
What the law says
28 C.F.R. § 36.302(c)(6): A public accommodation "may ask if the animal is required because of a disability and what work or task the animal has been trained to perform." It "shall not require documentation, such as proof that the animal has been certified, trained, or licensed as a service animal."
Source: 28 C.F.R. § 36.302(c) (DOJ ADA service-animal regulation) ↗
In plain language
Under the federal ADA — which applies in New York — public accommodations are limited to two questions: (1) is the dog required because of a disability, and (2) what work or task has the dog been trained to perform. Staff cannot demand certification papers, ID cards, vests, registry membership, or proof of training. Staff also cannot ask about the nature or extent of the disability. If staff exceed those limits, the next step is generally a complaint to the U.S. Department of Justice or to the New York attorney general's civil-rights division.
Read the full New York service dog laws guide
This page covers one question; the full guide walks through the federal floor, state-specific carve-outs, the documentation standard, and the accommodation process.
Service dog laws in New York →