In the United States, the main codes and regulations regarding building accessibility for service animals and emotional support animals includes:
1. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): The ADA requires all places of public accommodation to allow service animals to accompany individuals with disabilities to all areas of the building where customers are normally allowed to go. The ADA also defines a service animal as a dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability.
2. Fair Housing Act (FHA): The FHA requires landlords to make reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities, including allowing them to keep service animals and emotional support animals in their homes, even if the building has a no-pets policy. The FHA also defines an assistance animal as any animal that provides emotional support, comfort, or therapy to an individual with a disability.
3. Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA): The ACAA requires airlines to allow individuals with disabilities to travel with their service animals in the cabin of the plane, free of charge. The ACAA also defines a service animal as any animal that is individually trained to perform tasks or work for the benefit of an individual with a disability.
4. State and local building codes: Many states and localities have their own building codes that regulate the accessibility of buildings for individuals with disabilities. These codes may include specific requirements for service animals and assistance animals, such as the size and type of animals allowed and the documentation required to prove that an animal is a service or assistance animal.
Overall, the codes and regulations regarding building accessibility for service animals and emotional support animals are designed to ensure that individuals with disabilities have equal access to public accommodations and housing, and that their service animals and assistance animals are protected under the law.
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