Animals On Campus Policy

For interpretation of this policy, please contact: Environmental Health and Safety, Director, (909) 537-5179

Policy:

California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB) is committed to maintaining a safe, healthy, and accessible environment that is inclusive for all members of its campus community. In accordance with federal and state law, animals are generally prohibited in campus buildings, with limited exceptions outlined below. 

Implementation and enforcement of this policy are supported by supplemental procedures maintained by Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S). These procedures provide operational guidance, including escalation processes, roles and responsibilities, and coordination with University Police, Housing, Human Resources, and Services to Students with Disabilities. The procedures may be updated as necessary to reflect operational, safety, or regulatory changes, provided they remain consistent with this policy and applicable law.

1. Permitted Animals on Campus 

Only the following animals are permitted on CSUSB property: 

• Service Animals as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): Dogs (and in limited cases, miniature horses) individually trained to perform specific tasks for individuals with disabilities. 
• Police Dogs under the control of law enforcement. 
• Research/Instructional Animals approved under Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) protocols. 
• Wildlife in its natural habitat. 
• Therapy animals or animals included for university-sponsored events 
• Pets on campus grounds (outdoors) when leashed or harnessed
• Pets for Faculty/Staff Licensees (FSL) residents with an approved housing agreement

2. Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) 

Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) are not considered service animals under the ADA. For purposes of campus facilities and grounds, ESAs are treated the same as pets and are generally not permitted in university buildings as they may pose a risk to service animals and their handlers. 

Exceptions: ESAs may only be approved under an accommodation in university-operated housing pursuant to the Fair Housing Act and permitted only within housing facilities. Such accommodations are not valid outside of housing without written approval from SSD or Human Resources in coordination with Environmental Health and Safety.   

Requests for ESA’s should be submitted to SSD or Human Resources as appropriate. 

3. Prohibited Animals 

Pets and other non-approved animals, including those wearing vests or tags falsely identifying them as service animals, are not allowed in university buildings without a valid accommodation approved through Housing and SSD. Animals are not permitted on campus overnight with the exception of Police dogs, wildlife, animals housed in the vivarium under IACUC protocols, and approved ESA’s in housing. Animals shall not be left unattended.

4. Verification of Service Animals 

Service animals do not require pre-access verification and should only be verified by authorized University Personnel consistent with ADA requirements. Concerns regarding verification or misrepresentation of service animals will report them to Environmental Health and Safety or University Police for further assessment.

The following questions are the only two questions that can be asked to question the presence of an animal on campus. These questions are consistent with the ADA and are intended to protect the privacy and access rights of individuals with disabilities. The animal handler and person with an access or functional need may not be the same person and it is not permissible to ask a person with a disability to identify themselves.

Acceptable Questions:

1. Is the animal required because of a disability? 
   1. Acceptable Answer: Yes or No
2. What work or task has the animal been trained to perform? 
   1. Acceptable Answer: Name a specific task or function. Do not list or request a diagnosis

4. (a) Identification Requirements: 

Service animals are not required to wear or display any identification, vest, tags, or special markings. Similarly, the use of vests, badges, or harnesses does not alone qualify or certify an animal as a service animal.

Service animals are still subject to all applicable state and local animal licensing and vaccination requirements. Proof of licensing or vaccination shall not be required as a condition of access but may be requested for compliance or enforcement purposes consistent with applicable laws. 

4. (b) Misrepresentation of Service Animals:

Misrepresentation of an animal as a service animal, is a violation of California Penal Code §365.7 and if violated, Will be addressed consistent with the enforcement procedures listed below.

5. Control and Conduct 

Service animals must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered unless the handler’s disability prevents such use, or the device interferes with the animal’s performance. The handler must maintain effective control of the animal at all times. Pets on campus grounds must be on a leash or harness at all times, and owners must abide by all waste management requirements.

6. Restricted Areas 

Access for service animals may be restricted in certain sensitive areas (e.g., laboratories, mechanical rooms, medical facilities, and food preparation areas). Alternative accommodations will be provided, when necessary, through an interactive process conducted by Services to Students with Disabilities (SSD), or Human Resources, as appropriate. 

7. Animal Waste Management 

Handlers are responsible for cleaning up after their animals. Waste must be bagged and disposed of outside university buildings by utilizing outdoor trash receptacles. If the handler’s disability prevents them from meeting this expectation, they must notify Student Disability Services or Human Resources for alternate accommodations. Reasonable accommodations may include coordination of alternate waste management methods as deemed appropriate by the respective office. 

Repeated sanitation issues may result in the removal of the animal from campus if no reasonable accommodation can adequately mitigate the health and safety risk to others. 

8. Wildlife and Feral Animals 

Dangerous or nuisance wildlife if observed should not be disturbed. Such cases shall be reported to University Police or Environmental Health & Safety for further assessment. Wildlife may include but not necessarily limited to rattlesnakes, coyotes, foxes, raccoons, opossums, hawks, bobcats, and mountain lions. Grounds personnel may manage feral animals in accordance with humane and legal practices. Reports of deceased animals should be reported to Facilities Grounds. In the event a stray animal such as a dog or cat is observed on campus, it should be reported promptly to EH&S. 

9. Enforcement and Reporting 

This policy is enforced by Environmental Health & Safety, University Police, and appropriate campus authorities, consistent with the procedure supplement. Violations may result in removal of an animal, impoundment, or corrective action under applicable personnel and student conduct procedures, as appropriate.  It should be noted that the intent of this policy is to take a non-punitive approach to resolving all conflicts involving animal related disputes wherever possible, including but not limited to mediation discussions.

Concerns of misrepresentation or violations should be reported to EH&S or University Police. Animal owners may bear responsibility for any fines or fees resulting from animal removal. 

10. Policy Review 

This policy will be reviewed as needed to remain compliant with applicable laws and university operational needs.

Contact Information: 

• Environmental Health and Safety 
• Facilities Management Grounds 
• Human Resources 
• Services to Students with Disabilities (SSD) 
• University Police

References:

• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title II: 42 U.S.C. § 12131 et seq.; 28 CFR § 35.136 
• Rehabilitation Act Section 504: 29 U.S.C. § 794 
• Fair Housing Act (FHA): 42 U.S.C. § 3601–3619; 24 CFR § 100.204 
• California Food and Agriculture Code § 30801