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It can sometimes be difficult to determine whether a guest’s animal is an ADA service animal or just a pet. CalOHA, with the help of Hart Kienle Pentecost, is here to help explain the differences.

Our White Paper series, located in the Document Library, outline The American Disability Act (ADA) regulations to clarify the definitions of both service animals and companion animals plus the reasonable accommodations that businesses are required to provide.

A service animal is defined as: “any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. Other species of animals, whether wild or domestic, trained, or untrained, are not service animals for the purposes of this definition. The work or tasks performed by a service animal must be directly related to the handler´s disability.”

In essence, this means a service animal is not a pet. Specifically, a service animal is a dog (with very limited exceptions) which has been trained to perform work or tasks and provide assistance to a person with a disability. Businesses are also required to make reasonable accommodations to not only the disabled person, but their service animal as well, should they require one.

The biggest inquiry we receive about service animals is what questions you as a park owner are legally allowed/not allowed to ask to determine if the animal being brought into the park is indeed a service animal or a pet. The ADA regulation has two rules:

1. You cannot ask for certification or licensing. The ADA does not require certification as part of the service animal definition.

2. You can ask, in a non-offensive manner, if the animal is required for a disability and, if so, what tasks it is trained to perform. However, if the animal’s service tasks are obvious, these questions should not be asked.

Service animals may also be removed from your premises under limited circumstances. Should there be a legitimate reason to ask the service animal to be removed, the park must offer the person with the disability the opportunity to stay without the animal’s presence.

To view the full ADA Service Animal White Paper, including sample guidelines for guests, check out the CalOHA Document Library!

While travel & tourism has remained relatively strong since the start of the Covid-19 epidemic, 2022 showed even more growth, with Americans ready to hit the road.

Destinations International and Longwoods International take a look at the public perceptions of the travel & tourism industry from all angles in their recent Resident Sentiment study. The 2022 study surveyed 4,000 American adults in an attempt to provide destinations with the information needed to work more effectively at increasing support and growth for tourism.

General findings in this report indicate that overall, residents see the growth in tourism as a positive addition to their communities; among these, older Americans are universally more supportive, with Gen Z (18-25-year-olds) being more skeptical about the value of the industry.

Residents also voiced support for strategies to grow travel & tourism, such as hosting major events and building new facilities to appeal to tourists. A strong belief in the need for planned development was also seen, but with mixed evaluations of local and state government management.

While most locals do feel like tourism has improved both recreational and shopping opportunities, some also blame visitors for traffic and overcrowding.

Overall, support for the travel & tourism industry has grown since the peak of the pandemic. The 2022 Resident Sentiment study helps destinations create engagement strategies within their communities.

To view the full report, check out the link below!

It was a long legislative day yesterday, but as of 8:16 pm we had our vote on AB 1472 (Alvarez – San Diego).

AB 1472 set to fine parks for allowing reregistration of tenants under the assumption that the only reason they were asked to leave was to prevent residency. CalOHA, along with our lobbyist, Andrew Govenar, representatives from Terra Vista Mgmt, Santee Lakes Recreation District, and the Western Fairs Association opposed the legislation in a challenging battle that pit RV parks against affordable housing. 

AB 1472 was heard by the Senate Judiciary Committee on June 27th. At that time the committee instructed the Asm to work with opposition on amendments and bring it back for a vote only on July 11th. It is anyone’s guess as to why the Asm took the path he did, but the bill was brought back to committee with no amendments and no attempt to work with opposition.  

AB 1472 failed in Senate Judiciary Committee as a vote only 2-6 on July 11th. Senators Weiner (San Francisco) and Durazo (Los Angeles) voted Aye. Senators Umberg (Anaheim), Ashby, (Sacramento), Min (Orange), Laird (Central Coast), Neillo (Elk Grove to Yuba City), Caballero (Fresno) voted NO. Wilk (Palmdale/Lancaster), Allen (LA Ventura coast) and Stern (Ventura County) abstained.  

Senator Laird moved for reconsideration, and it was granted, meaning that Asm Alvarez can bring the bill back in the spring. However, the strong opposition from the committee would indicate a full need to gut and amend before presenting to the committee again. It is likely that the bill will be brought back to committee in some form and unlikely the Asm will work with opposition. 

However, this is just the beginning of what could be more legislation between RV parks and housing issues. As an industry we need to look to the future and what direction we should take to protect our parks. 20+ years ago the founders of CalOHA took the initiative to write SOPA. Now it is time to rethink RV parks and where we want to land for the next 20 years.  

Please take a moment to thank the Senators, especially if they are in your district, for their support of RV parks and campgrounds throughout California.  



Need to find your representatives? Check out the link below!

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