Service Animals: SBC does allow Service Animals
Under Federal and Florida law, a service animal is a dog or miniature horse that is trained to do work or perform tasks for, and to aid an individual with a disability. Examples are seeing eye dogs, deaf-assisted dogs, dogs trained to detect oncoming seizures, etc. If not obvious, SBC staff may ask what tasks the animal has been trained to perform. Service animals must always be under the control of the owner and must remain on a leash or in a harness while the animal is in the Resort’s common areas. Resort staff are not able to take control of service animals. Under Florida law, service animals are not allowed in the pool and are only allowed up to the edge of the pool if necessary to help its owner in or out of the pool.Emotional Support Animals: SBC does NOT allow properly documented Emotional Support Animals (ESA)
If a dog is only present to provide comfort (emotional support) to the owner and is not specifically trained to do work or perform tasks for and/or to aid an individual with a disability, then it is an emotional support animal and is not considered a service animal. Under Florida law, ESA animals are NOT service animals and are not allowed at SBC under any circumstances. ESA animals are pets and are not allowed in the condominium units and/or within the Resort’s common areas. Violations of this prohibition will be vigorously enforced for the health and safety of resort owners and guests. Owners and guests that violate the Service Animal Policy are subject to a fine/cleaning fee of $250.00 and eviction from SBC.
Animal Behavior and Damages
Service animals must be housebroken and under the control of their owners. Owners must clean up after their service animal goes to the bathroom. SBC does not have to allow your service animal to remain on the resort property if it poses a direct threat to the health and safety of others. If, for example, your service animal is growling and lunging at other patrons and you are unable to stop the behavior or if the service animal creates a disturbance to other guests by barking, the service animal will have to leave the property. Florida law holds owners liable for any damage their animal causes to property or persons within the premises. Although no “pet fee” is charged for a service animal SBC will charge individuals for damages caused by his/her service animal. We ask that guests with service animals notify the front desk before their departure so that an inspection of their room can be done while they are present.
NOTE: Under Florida State Statute 413.08 service dog fraud is a second-degree misdemeanor that may incur up to $500.00 in fines, 30 hours of community service and up to 60 days in jail. Violators will be prosecuted.