A covered, heated, or partially enclosed outdoor space such as a terrace, courtyard, or veranda does not qualify as a shared indoor guest area under R3 unless it is fully enclosed with a permanent roof and walls and is usable year round regardless of weather. A conservatory or glasshouse that meets these conditions is treated as an indoor space. A seasonal terrace with removable covers or retractable walls is not. Where the only space available to dogs is semi outdoor, R3 is not satisfied.
RDFRG-02 · Defined Term 26
Enclosed Outdoor and Semi Outdoor Spaces
Only a fully enclosed, permanent, year round indoor space qualifies under R3. Seasonal terraces and retractable structures do not.
Definition
Only a fully enclosed, permanent, year round indoor space qualifies under R3. Seasonal terraces and retractable structures do not.
Part of the Roch Dog Standard (RDFS-02) · Published by Roch Dog
Enclosed Outdoor and Semi Outdoor Spaces
Roch Interpretation
A heated terrace with a retractable awning is not an indoor space. If the only space available to dogs when the awning is retracted is open to the elements, R3 is not satisfied.
Examples
Compliant
A hotel in Edinburgh has a glass fronted conservatory with solid walls, a fixed roof, and year round heating that is open to dog guests at all times, qualifying as a shared indoor guest area.
Not compliant
A city hotel offers dogs access to its rooftop terrace with retractable awnings, listed in the pet policy as 'indoor lounge access', but the space is entirely open to the elements when the awnings are retracted.
Published by Roch Dog
RDFRG-02 · Last updated 17 March 2026