Animal Care Services

ADA Service Animals

ADA Service Animal Laws

A "signal animal"means any animal trained to alert an individual who is deaf or hearing impaired to intruders or sounds.

A "service animal" means any animal individually trained to the requirements of the individual with a disability, including, but not limited to, non-violent protection work, rescue work, pulling a wheelchair, or fetching dropped items.

California Penal Code section 365.7 states that any person who knowingly and fraudulently represents themselves to be the owner or trainer of any canine licensed as an assistance dog, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

A licensed and certified service animal has the:

1. Right to full and equal access to places of public accommodations.
2. Right to full and equal access to transportation.
3. Right to full and equal housing accommodations.
4. Right to full and equal access to places of employment.
5. Waiver of license fees

Every individual with a disability has the right to be accompanied by a guide dog, signal dog, or service dog, especially trained for the purpose, in any of the places listed above without being required to pay an extra charge or security deposit for the assistance animal.

A violation of the right to full and equal access of an individual is a federal violation under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-336), the State of California State of California Business and Professions Code, and California Penal Code sections 365.5, 365.6.

However, the individual shall be liable for any damage done to the premises or facilities by his or her animal. 

These individuals shall ensure the animal is on a leash and under control at all times.

Long Beach Animal Care Services does not issue service animal tags. Per Title 6 of the LBMC qualified service animals may be exempt from Long Beach license fees.

6.08.060 - Exemptions.
No license fee or tax shall be required for the issuance of a tag for any dog owned as a guide dog, signal dog and/or service dog, as those terms are currently defined in California Penal Code Section 365.5 or as may be amended in the future. The Director shall annually issue tags free of charge to persons responsible for having the custody and control of such dogs.

 Application for Exemption to License Fee