I would have to agree with Lyn Sims. Also, would say that I think ADA is mainly referring to Public Buildings and not Private Houses or Buildings! 

I know the rules about support animals & I would still abide by what the seller says. My state says that we should not discriminate but if someone brought their emotional support turtle, I'd tell them they'd have to leave it outside per the seller.

Come on Man. 

You know where I live, Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate 

No Joke. True Story. 

You already know anything and everything goes here.  

Like Miss Nina Hollander, Broker I do not host open houses. I do not know how this would apply to open houses and if any "rulings" on the subject matter would override a seller's instructions.  Sellers do have rights. If they are allergic, they have a right to protect their health when selling a home. 

Can't say I've given this much thought as I don't hold open houses, so it's not been an issue. It's also not come up with anyone coming to look at one of my listings. 

Hmm, I am not sure about that, but if they told me it was a service animal I would likely allow them to stay on the safe side of things, haha.  It's kind of sad that so many people abuse it, which makes it tougher for those that truly need the assistance.

A homeowner has the right to say NO to animals being brought into their home. A past client has a deadly allergy to pet dander and could be a serious health issue for others as well.

With the owner's permission, I did hold a 'dog friendly' open house event in a vacant listing that went well!

If my Seller says NO ANIMALS, no animals will come in.   I have had one lady recently that said she would carry the little dog during the tour, but told her the dog had to stay out.  Family has severe allergies.

Easy for this retired guy. I agree with Shayne Stone and Lyn Sims. So I am moving on! 

On occasion, I have been visited at an open house by someone with a dog. If they can carry it and never let its feet touch the floor, I invite them in. If the dog is too big, I suggest they tie the dog outside, leave it in their car or have their partner hold the dog outside.

Sellers rock,  No animals if they say no animals.  and ada does not necessarily apply to this type of situation.  

Never run into this with buyers or sellers so far, when this does occur we will educate the client on what is required and make sure that we comply.

We do however encounter this from time to time with renters, and we are very familiar with the law and the loopholes in this area.

Sellers have rights -- if they say no pets inside their home -- I have to say No Pets. 😇🐶🐱

Thankfully this has never come up!  Out here in California, it's illegal (for what that's worth anymore) to falsely claim an animal is a disability animal. 

I doubt it. I don't believe homeowners are subject to allowing service animals. You never know if someone has allergies, aversions, etc.

We don't have anything that dictates that locally . . . and the ADA's FAQs do  not specifically cover it. Q35 is the closest . . .
I am not at all sure a seller must allow a service animal into their personal residence . . . 

The mandate to sell is the driving force. If someone wants to buy, we should accommodate the potential sale opportunity. When we interfere, we send a mixed message of we want to sell but not to you? 

Sellers get to say who can and can't come inside their private homes.

Proper documentation is required for legitimate support animals.

I know that at my association building in Las Vegas, Nevada, there is a sign that says only service dogs are allowed. Unless it’s a service dog, I will follow my seller’s request since it’s not a public building

The rules about support animals cover a person's rights to live in (as a resident or a tenant) a property.  They do not cover a person's right to visit a property, that is entirely up to the owner of that property, and if the owner does not want an animal in the home, that have every right to refuse entry to that animal (support animal or not). 

Visiting an open house is an option, not a right.

I've been thinking about this lately. Heard something on the radio about the fact "Emotional Support" has a low bar and just about anything can qualify. Little to no credentialing for Support animals, and the "gold standard" appears to be Service Animals...a dog or Shetland Pony. I am leaning towards only allowing Service animals in my practice.

Something that has not been mentioned... regardless of whether the dog is a service animal, emotional support animal, or pet, if the dog is misbehaving, you can kick them out.

For example, someone says they have a service dog.  The dog goes into the house, then jumps up on the couch, you can tell the owner to take the dog outside and leave it out there.  Even if it's a service dog.

This is useful to know for when someone has a fake service dog.  A trained service dog won't jump on the couch.  If someone has an untrained dog that is a pet but they say it's a service dog so they can take it in stores, that dog might jump on the couch.  A business owner is within the law to remove the dog.  The customer can return, but they have to leave their dog outside.

https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/fair-housing-act-and-assistance-animalsFred Griffin Florida Real Estate I believe it is a federal law, not a state law. You better check up on this or you just may find yourselves in plenty of hot water.  this is just one of many sites 

It is not an easy one and fortunately rare situation. I do not see any stress for a visitor in walking through the house few minutes during open house alone( without their beloved pet) , but people nowadays  can be sooooo sensitive and a very polite explanation of  why ''you can't bring your pet with you inside of someone's  residence due their request'' can still trigger a very strong reaction against my client and myself.

Sellers have final say. They can refuse entry to anyone. The potential buyer can leave their emotional support animal outside with someone or in car if they want to go inside house.

As seller in the past, no lock box, listing agent was supposed to vet everyone. A buyer brought their no helper dog poodle who dug up hydrangeas and jumped on white couch. Hmm people can be crazy.

ADA is being tested in California all the time.  In my last continuing education classes for my Hawaii license, it took Fair Housing extremely seriously.  I don't want me or my sellers get sued, so we have the discussion when I take on a client.  Keeping booties that go on the outside of shoes or paws helps. 

Interestingly, I was the organizer of the Carmel Art Festival last weekend and the park in CarmelByTheSea where it is held annually does not allow dogs.  Period.  That was a challenge: no one specifically told me to not allow dogs who came with their owners to look at the art.  I did tell one with a big German Shepherd.  I even told the German trained dog in German and guess what?  He growled at me, hahahaha.  I know he understood me.

The ADA does not apply to privately owned homes used as a private residence. A private home is not a place of public accommodation, but a real estate office is open to the public.

But, local, state, and federal Fair Housing laws apply and protect people with disabilities, unless there is an exception in the law.

Generally, a for sale by owner or for rent by owner property has more exceptions than when the owner hires a licensed real estate professional to sell or manage the property.

A property owner cannot hire a real estate professional and demand that the licensed professional ignore or violate the Fair Housing laws.

A contract is not valid if it contain illegal provisions.  Or, if there is a severability clause, the illegal provisions shall be removed or modified to comply with the law.

Follow the Fair Housing laws regarding service animals for people with disabilities.

Update: ADA Title III, Public Accommodations and Services by Private Entities, does not mention real estate or open house anywhere.
The definition in Section 12181(7)(F) of Public Accommodation includes the professional office of a service establishment.

https://www.ada.gov/law-and-regs/ada/#subchapter-iii---public-accommodations-and-services-by-private-entities-title-iii

ADA would not apply to a private residence offering free candy to children at Halloween or a yard sale.

Disclaimer: I am not an attorney and this information is not legal advice.