Pet Fee
Key Takeaways
- Pet fees are non-refundable, added to the booking subtotal, and configured separately from the nightly rate or cleaning fee
- Typical range is $50–$150 per stay for most U.S. markets; per-night structures ($15–$25 per pet) scale better for stays over five nights
- Service animals are legally exempt from pet fees under the ADA — no exceptions, regardless of a host's listed pet policy
- Pet-friendly listings occupy a less crowded supply niche, which can support higher occupancy rates and stronger ADR relative to comparable no-pet properties
- Combining a pet fee with clear house rules and a security deposit provides layered financial protection
How Pet Fees Work on Airbnb
Airbnb lets hosts enable pet acceptance in the listing amenities and attach a standalone pet fee. The fee appears as a line item in the booking breakdown — not buried in the nightly rate — so guests see it upfront before confirming.
Example Booking with Pet Fee:
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Nightly rate (3 × $180) | $540 |
| Cleaning fee | $100 |
| Pet fee | $85 |
| Booking subtotal | $725 |
| Guest service fee (~15%) | +$109 |
| Total guest pays (before tax) | $834 |
Because the pet fee rolls into the subtotal, it is subject to platform service fees on both sides. A $85 pet fee costs the guest slightly more and nets the host slightly less after Airbnb's host-side fee (~3%). Factor this in when setting the amount.
Pet Fee vs. Pet Deposit: What's the Difference?
The two mechanisms serve different purposes and have different guest-experience implications.
| Pet Fee | Pet Deposit | |
|---|---|---|
| Refundable? | No | Yes (if no damage) |
| Airbnb native support | Yes — built into booking flow | Partial — handled via security deposit |
| Guest friction | Low | Higher (funds held on card) |
| Revenue to host | 100% retained | $0 if returned |
| Best for | Routine cleaning costs, predictable wear | Properties with high damage risk |
Pet Fee Structures
| Structure | Example | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Flat per-stay fee | $85 per stay | Stays of 2–5 nights; easiest for guests to compare |
| Per-night fee | $20/night per pet | Longer stays where cleaning scales with duration |
| Per-pet fee | $60 per pet per stay | Multi-pet households; reflects actual cleaning impact |
| Tiered by size | $50 small / $100 large | Homes with flooring or furniture more susceptible to large-dog damage |
A flat per-stay fee is the default for most hosts because it is simple and predictable. Per-night or per-pet structures make sense when your cleaning overhead genuinely scales — a three-week booking with two large dogs incurs materially more wear than a two-night stay with a single small dog.
Why Pet Fees Matter for STR Revenue
The practical levers are:
- Reduced vacancy: Pet-friendly listings are simply harder to substitute; guests searching with a pet filter often book the best available option rather than holding out for a price drop
- Longer average stays: Guests with pets often plan family-type trips with longer lead times and multi-night minimums, raising the revenue per booking
- Fee income stacks: A $85 pet fee on 30 pet bookings per year adds $2,550 in revenue that would otherwise not exist — without changing a single night's rate
- Complementary amenity investment: Fenced yards, pet bowls, and hard-surface flooring justify the fee and attract the highest-rated pet-owning guests, who are disproportionately repeat-booking households
A well-priced pet fee is not a surcharge — it's a market-positioning signal. Guests traveling with pets read the fee as confirmation that the host has prepared for them, and they pay it readily.
Legal Limits: Service Animals
Service animals are categorically exempt from pet fees in the United States under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and under Airbnb's nondiscrimination policy. The same protection applies in Canada (provincial human rights codes), the UK (Equality Act 2010), and broadly across EU member states.
What hosts can and cannot do:
- Cannot charge: Any fee — pet fee, cleaning surcharge, or deposit — for a service animal
- Cannot ask: For documentation beyond whether the animal is required because of a disability and what work or task the animal performs
- Cannot decline: A booking solely because a guest is accompanied by a service animal
- Can do: Apply reasonable house rules (no animals on furniture, must be leashed in common areas) as long as rules are applied consistently and do not effectively block access
Emotional support animals (ESAs) occupy a grayer area. Airbnb's policy requires hosts to accommodate ESAs unless the host shares their home or the listing has three or fewer units and the host lives on-site — in which case some restrictions apply. Confirm current Airbnb policy and local law before making any ESA-related booking decisions.
Setting Pet Fees: Practical Guidelines
Research local rates first. Filter pet-friendly listings in your market on Airbnb and identify where comparable properties set their fees. Undercutting by $10–$20 may boost bookings initially, but if your cleaning costs are $90, a $50 fee loses money per pet stay.
Align the fee with actual cleaning costs. Get a quote from your cleaner for a pet clean versus a standard turnover. The difference — typically $40–$80 for a two-bedroom property — should be your floor. Add a margin for wear on floors, upholstery, and outdoor spaces.
Write explicit house rules. Specify the maximum number of pets, size or breed restrictions (if any), areas off limits to animals, and expectations around outdoor use. Rules that guests agree to before booking provide a documented basis for any damage claim.
Invest in pet-resilient features. Hard floors, washable slipcovers, an enclosed yard, and a dedicated pet cleanup station allow you to raise the fee while maintaining strong reviews. Guests who pay a $100+ fee expect the property to be genuinely prepared for their animal.
Know when to restrict. Accepting pets is not mandatory. Hosts with HOA restrictions, severe allergy concerns (documented), or properties with features that cannot withstand pet traffic — open-plan high-end rugs, fragile landscaping — can legitimately decline pets without violating platform policy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Airbnb lets hosts set a dedicated pet fee in listing settings; the amount is added to the booking subtotal before service fees apply. Service animals are legally exempt from pet fees in the United States under the ADA, and similar protections exist in Canada, the UK, and the EU — hosts cannot refuse service animals or charge them any fee.
Most STR hosts charge $50–$150 per stay for a flat pet fee. Shorter stays and budget rentals typically sit near $50; larger homes, longer stays, and premium markets warrant $100–$150 or more. Per-night structures ($15–$25 per night per pet) work better for stays over five nights, where a flat fee may undercharge for cleaning.
Allowing pets is one of the highest-return amenity decisions a host can make. Pet-friendly listings compete in a smaller supply pool while drawing guests who often stay longer, book earlier, and leave stronger reviews to secure future pet-welcome stays. A calibrated pet fee and firm house rules are the primary tools for managing added risk.
No. A pet fee is a non-refundable charge built into the booking total; a pet deposit is a refundable hold returned after the stay if no damage occurred. Airbnb's standard booking flow supports non-refundable pet fees natively. For higher-risk stays, some hosts add a security deposit on top of the fee, though Airbnb's AirCover provides a baseline damage backstop regardless.
No. Under the ADA and Airbnb's own nondiscrimination policy, hosts cannot charge a pet fee for a service animal or emotional support animal with verified status. Hosts may not ask for documentation beyond what the ADA permits and cannot decline a booking solely because a guest travels with a service animal.