Cal. Civ. Code § 3-104.1
Refusal to sell or rent because a person has a guide, hearing or support dog. It is a civil rights violation for the owner or agent of any housing accommodation to: (A) refuse to sell or rent after the making of a bona fide offer, or to refuse to negotiate for the sale or rental of, or otherwise make unavailable or deny property to any blind or hearing impaired person or person with a physical disability because the blind or hearing impaired person or person with a physical disability has a guide, hearing, or support dog; or (B) discriminate against any blind or hearing impaired person or person with a physical disability in the terms, conditions, or privileges of sale or rental property, or in the provision of services or facilities in connection therewith, because the blind or hearing impaired person or person with a physical disability has a guide, hearing, or support dog; or (C) require, because a blind or hearing impaired person or person with a physical disability has a guide, hearing, or support dog, an extra charge in a lease, rental agreement, or contract of purchase or sale, other than for actual damage done to the premises by the dog
Operative Text
Refusal to sell or rent because a person has a guide, hearing or support dog. It is a civil rights violation for the owner or agent of any housing accommodation to: (A) refuse to sell or rent after the making of a bona fide offer, or to refuse to negotiate for the sale or rental of, or otherwise make unavailable or deny property to any blind or hearing impaired person or person with a physical disability because the blind or hearing impaired person or person with a physical disability has a guide, hearing, or support dog; or (B) discriminate against any blind or hearing impaired person or person with a physical disability in the terms, conditions, or privileges of sale or rental property, or in the provision of services or facilities in connection therewith, because the blind or hearing impaired person or person with a physical disability has a guide, hearing, or support dog; or (C) require, because a blind or hearing impaired person or person with a physical disability has a guide, hearing, or support dog, an extra charge in a lease, rental agreement, or contract of purchase or sale, other than for actual damage done to the premises by the dog.
Under 775 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5 § 3-104.1, it is a civil rights violation in Illinois for a housing owner or their agent to refuse to sell or rent to, or otherwise discriminate against, a blind, hearing-impaired, or physically disabled person solely because that person has a guide, hearing, or support dog. The rule also prohibits imposing different or worse terms and conditions on such a person compared to others. Additionally, a housing provider may not charge an extra fee simply because the person has a service dog, though charges for actual damage the dog causes to the property are permitted.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Housing owners and their agents operating under 775 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5 § 3-104.1 generally treat applicants and residents with guide, hearing, or support dogs the same as any other applicant or resident — meaning they do not reject offers, refuse negotiations, or alter lease terms based solely on the presence of such a dog. Compliant operators do not impose pet fees or surcharges tied to the dog's presence, though they may document and charge for any actual physical damage the dog causes to the premises. Maintaining consistent written policies that reflect these standards helps demonstrate compliance with this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 3-104.1 of 775 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5 gives blind, hearing-impaired, and physically disabled individuals with guide, hearing, or support dogs the right to be free from housing discrimination based on the presence of that dog — including the right not to be charged extra fees simply for having the dog. If a housing provider refuses to rent, imposes different terms, or demands a surcharge tied to the dog's presence, that conduct may constitute a civil rights violation under this provision. Tenants who believe their rights under § 3-104.1 have been violated can explore options such as filing a complaint with the Illinois Department of Human Rights, raising the violation as a defense in a housing proceeding, or reaching out to a local tenant-rights organization for general guidance.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 18, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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