Can hotels in California legally ban children? This question has sparked controversy after the Alila Marea Beach Resort in Encinitas announced its transition to an adults-only policy, prohibiting guests under 18 from staying overnight.
Attorney Chris Dolan, owner of Dolan Law Firm and recognized as SFGATE’s Best Personal Injury Lawyer, weighed in on the legality of this move. In an interview with SFGATE, he explained that California Civil Code 51 (the Unruh Civil Rights Act) prohibits businesses, including hotels, from discriminating against customers based on age.
“Anybody who’s providing public accommodation, engaging in contract, has to do so without effective discrimination, and that would include hotel establishments,” Dolan told SFGATE. “So the innkeepers are not allowed to have a restriction against children being on the premises.”
Chris Dolan also noted that under California Civil Code 1865, even unaccompanied minors have the right to stay at hotels, though establishments may impose reasonable restrictions. Violators of the Unruh Civil Rights Act could face fines of $4,000 per occurrence, plus attorney fees and damages.
With major hotel brands considering similar policies, this issue could have legal implications across California.
Read the full article on SFGATE.
