Can you bring your dog to dinner in Florida? Here’s what state law says about that
We can’t help but notice the dogs seated next to us lately at several South Florida restaurants.
Foodie websites, including Eater Miami and Bring Fido and even Open Table, have compiled lists of “dog friendly” restaurants in the Miami area. Among them are Glass and Vine in Coconut Grove, Michael’s Genuine in the Design District and Cielito Artisan Pops in Wynwood. That one even advertises its “dog friendly pops” for fur babies.
But is it legal in Florida to dine out with our pets?
In the Sunshine State dogs aren’t generally permitted inside restaurants. But there are exceptions.
The federal Americans with Disabilities Act says that people with disabilities may bring service animals to public spaces such as restaurants as needed — meaning indoors or out. But the service animal law applies only to animals that are specifically trained to do work or perform tasks for the owner directly related to the person’s disability. Emotional support animals do not qualify.
What Florida law says
Florida law makes allowances for dogs at dining spots, but lists requirements that restaurants need to follow to allow customers’ dogs within certain designated outdoor areas.
▪ Restaurants are supposed to apply for a permit from the local government.
▪ Employees are instructed they must wash their hands promptly after touching a dog.
▪ Employees and patrons shouldn’t allow dogs to come into contact with serving dishes, utensils, tableware, linens, paper products or any other items involved in food service operations.
▪ Customers have to keep their dogs on a leash and off chairs, tables and other furnishings, and “under reasonable control.”
▪ Accidents have to be cleaned immediately, and the area sanitized.
▪ Dogs have to be able to access the designated outdoor area without having to go through any indoor area of the restaurant.
So, why have we increasingly seen non-service animals at our tables indoors, off to the side at an indoor bar at a popular Grove pizza joint, and, oh my, tucked inside a patron’s purse at a swanky wine dinner in Aventura?
(Speaking of Aventura, did you know the popular mall is so dog friendly its owners maintain Jessica’s Dog Park near Serafina and a secondary dog station at the Lower Level entrance by Divieto and Les Moulins La Fayette? The mall’s owner told the Miami Herald Aventura Mall is a dog friendly destination.)
READ MORE: Why is Aventura Mall both loved and loathed? It comes down to more than shopping
Owners are — wink, wink — turning a blind eye to keep some dog-loving diners happy.
