Information for People with Service and Support Animals

Service and support animals are welcome in all SFPL facilities. Please help maintain a pleasant and safe environment for all library users by observing the following behavioral guidelines for your service or emotional support animal. These guidelines conform to California Penal Code 365.7(a), San Francisco Health Code Article 1: Sections 41 (a) and 41.12 (a) and federal regulations that support the Americans with Disabilities Act.

  • Animals, other than service or support animals assisting persons with disabilities, are not permitted inside Library facilities or within 10 feet of any door.
  • Animals entering the Library must be up-to-date on vaccinations and handler must be able to show proof of current rabies vaccination.
  • Fraudulently misrepresenting guide, signal, service or support dogs is a misdemeanor.
  • The Library adheres to ADA requirements for service animals:
    • Service Animals Must be Under Control
      A service animal must be under control of its handler. Under the ADA, service animals must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered, unless the individual's disability prevents using these devices or these devices interfere with the service animal's safe, effective performance of tasks. In that case, the individual must maintain control of the animal through voice, signal, or other effective controls.
  • Keep your support animal with you and under your control at all times. If your support animal is a dog, keep your dog on a leash. 
  • Keep your animal on the floor or on your person at all times.
  • If your service or support animal's behavior poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others, or disobeys SFPL's Patron Code of Conduct, it may not stay in the library.