Texas Service Dog Laws (2025)

In Texas, service dogs play a vital role in assisting individuals with disabilities by performing essential tasks. The state’s laws align with federal ADA regulations and provide additional protections for service dog handlers. Whether you’re in Houston, Dallas, or Austin, it’s important to know your rights and responsibilities. This guide covers everything you need to know about Texas service dog laws in 2025, including public access, housing protections, and penalties for misrepresentation.

What Is a Service Dog in Texas?

A service dog is defined by Texas law and the ADA as a dog trained to perform specific tasks that assist a person with a disability. These disabilities can be physical, psychiatric, or sensory.

Examples of service dog tasks include:

• Guiding someone with visual impairments.
• Alerting a person with epilepsy of an oncoming seizure.
• Providing grounding or deep pressure therapy for individuals with PTSD.

For further details, refer to the ADA service animal guidelines.

Where Service Dogs Are Allowed in Texas

Under Texas law and ADA guidelines, service dogs have broad access to public places, including:

• Restaurants, shopping centers, and parks in Houston.
• Public transportation systems like DART in Dallas.
• Hotels, music venues, and outdoor spaces in Austin.

Businesses and public spaces must allow service dogs to accompany their handlers. They may only ask two questions:

1. Is the dog required because of a disability?
2. What tasks has the dog been trained to perform?

No additional documentation, fees, or certifications are required. Denying access to a service dog can result in legal action under the Texas Human Resources Code.

Housing Protections for Service Dog Handlers in Texas

The Fair Housing Act (FHA) ensures that individuals with service dogs cannot be denied housing, even if the building has a “no pets” policy. Texas landlords and property managers:

• Must allow service dogs without pet fees or deposits.
• Cannot restrict service dogs based on breed.
• May ask for documentation from a healthcare provider if the disability is not obvious.

For more on housing protections, refer to the HUD’s guide to assistance animals.

Travel and Transportation with Service Dogs in Texas

Service dogs are allowed on public transportation throughout Texas, including:

• Buses, light rail, and rideshares in Houston and Dallas.
• Trains like the Amtrak and local transit systems.
• Rideshare services, including Uber and Lyft, must allow service dogs, even if the driver has allergies or personal fears.
  Check Uber’s service animal policy for more details.

International Travel with Service Dogs

When traveling internationally with your service dog, Texas residents must comply with CDC regulations to enter the U.S. with a service dog.

• Rabies-Free or Low-Risk Countries
  If traveling from a low-risk or rabies-free country, fewer vaccination requirements apply. See the full list of low-risk countries here.

• High-Risk Countries
  Dogs traveling from high-risk countries must have proof of rabies vaccination. Review the CDC’s guidance for high-risk countries here.

Texas Penalties for Service Dog Misrepresentation

Texas law imposes strict penalties for misrepresenting pets as service dogs. Under the Texas Human Resources Code, Section 121.006, anyone who falsely claims their pet is a service animal can face:

• Fines of up to $300.
• Community service hours at disability organizations.

These penalties protect individuals with disabilities and ensure public trust in service dog handlers.

Behavior and Control Requirements for Service Dogs in Texas

To maintain public access rights, service dogs must:

• Be under control at all times (leash, harness, or voice commands).
• Behave appropriately (no barking, growling, or jumping).
• Fit at the handler’s feet or under the seat without blocking pathways.

If a service dog misbehaves, businesses have the right to ask the handler to remove the dog. However, the handler must still be allowed to access the facility without the dog.

Service Dogs vs. Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) in Texas

Emotional support animals (ESAs) are not recognized as service animals under Texas law or the ADA. ESAs provide comfort but do not perform specific tasks related to a disability. While ESAs have protections under the Fair Housing Act, they do not have public access rights like service dogs.

What to Do If Your Service Dog Rights Are Violated in Texas

If your service dog is denied access or you face discrimination:

1. Explain your rights under the ADA and Texas law.
2. File a complaint with the Texas Workforce Commission's Civil Rights Division.
3. If the issue involves housing, submit a complaint through HUD’s assistance animal portal.

FAQs About Texas Service Dog Laws 2025

Q: Can service dogs go into restaurants in Texas?
A: Yes, service dogs are allowed in all restaurants and public spaces as long as they are under control and well-behaved.

Q: Can a landlord charge a pet deposit for a service dog?
A: No, landlords cannot charge pet deposits or fees for service dogs under the Fair Housing Act.

Q: Can a business ask for proof that my dog is a service animal?
A: No, businesses cannot request certification or documentation. They are only allowed to ask if the dog is required for a disability and what tasks it performs.

Key Takeaways: Texas Service Dog Laws 2025

• Service dogs must be allowed in all public spaces, including restaurants, hotels, and transportation.
• No certification is required, though some handlers choose to use ID cards or vests.
• Landlords cannot charge fees or deny housing due to a service dog.
• Misrepresentation of service dogs can result in fines and community service penalties.
• ESAs are not considered service dogs and do not have the same access rights.

Stay Informed
Service dog laws can evolve. Stay updated by visiting the ADA service animal FAQ and subscribe to our newsletterfor the latest updates on service dog laws in Texas.