Service Animal Verification Guide

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Summary

Landlords can ask if the animal is required due to a disability and what tasks it performs. Documentation or details about the disability cannot be demanded. Conflicts are handled by the Department of Justices Civil Rights Division. For local help, contact the San Francisco Human Rights Commission.

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A tenant has claimed that his dog is a service animal. I don’t believe him. How can I distinguish a legitimate service animal from an illegitimate one????
Hello ****, in the U.S., under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), landlords are only allowed to ask if:
- The animal is required because of a disability.
- What work or task has the animal been trained to perform.
It's illegal to demand any documentation for the dog or to ask about the nature of the person's disability.
What bureau looks into conflicts about service animals?
In the U.S., conflicts about service animals are typically handled by the Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division which enforces the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Where is the location of such bureau in SF Bay Area??
The U.S. Department of Justice does not have a specific office in the SF Bay Area. You can contact them through their website or by calling their general line at (*) *-*. For local assistance, you might consider the San Francisco Human Rights Commission. Please verify the contact details online.