You can take an emotional support animal (ESA) into any residential building you currently own or rent, including apartments, condos and houses, college dormitories, and similar residential spaces, even if they prohibit pets. You cannot, however, bring emotional support animals into public areas and businesses that don’t allow animals. 

You might be wondering if ESAs can be in places like stores, workplaces, or Airbnb’s. That’s what we’re here to help with. Below, you’ll find the most common questions clients have asked us about where their emotional support animals can go and some ways to work with places that say no but may be flexible. Click any link to skip to that section.

Can my emotional support animal live with me in a no-pet building?

Yes, you can live with your emotional support animal even if your building has a no-pet policy. Fair Housing laws protect people with emotional and/or mental health conditions that need ESAs.

Landlords also cannot charge any extra fees or deposits due to your need for an emotional support animal. ESAs are also exempt from other building restrictions relating to pets, such as those regarding size, weight, breed, or animal species. 

Note that landlords are exempt from Fair Housing rules in these four situations: (1) in owner-occupied buildings with no more than four units, (2) in single-family houses sold or rented by the owner without using an agent, (3) when the housing is operated by a religious organization, and (4) in private clubs that limit occupancy to members.

Can my emotional support animal be in the common areas?

Yes, emotional support animals in common areas are allowed. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, landlords have to allow tenants with ESAs equal opportunity to use “public and common use spaces.” That means an ESA owner has the right to take their emotional support animal through the lobby, elevator, stairways, and other common areas where other residents are allowed to go.

Can my emotional support animal live in my university dorm?

Yes, emotional support animals can live in university housing. There have been instances where colleges have been penalized for not following FHA guidelines. Students should be aware, however, that universities often have specific requirements when it comes to ESA requests. For more information, you should check with your school for their specific policy regarding emotional support animals in dorms and campus housing.

Can my emotional support animal come to class with me?

Unfortunately no, SAs do not have a legal right to be in classrooms. However, you should check with your school to see if they have any policies regarding emotional support animals on campus. However, most schools will not allow ESAs in a classroom or other school settings, except for housing.

Can my emotional support animal board airplanes?

Unfortunately, due to regulatory changes by the U.S. Department of Transportation, U.S. airlines no longer recognize emotional support animals. 

To fly with your ESA in the cabin, your ESA will have to meet the airline’s restrictions for pets. That usually means your ESA must be able to fit in a small carrier bag. You will also have to pay pet fees.Psychiatric service dogs, on the other hand, can still fly in the cabin free of charge. The passenger will need to submit the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Service Animal Air Transportation Form, which requires self-certification regarding the dog’s service animal status. The passenger must represent that they have a fully trained service dog that assists them with a psychiatric disability. If you’re interested in beginning the process of owning a psychiatric service dog, the licensed healthcare professionals who work with ESA Doctors can help. A licensed professional can determine whether you qualify for a PSD letter. A PSD letter is a signed document from a healthcare professional that states whether you have a qualifying disability for purposes of owning a psychiatric service dog under the Americans with Disabilities Act and Air Carrier Access Act.

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Your ESA may qualify as a PSD

Can my emotional support animal stay in a hotel or Airbnb?

While most hotels and Airbnb do not have a special policy for emotional support animals, many will accept your ESA as a normal pet, sometimes for a fee. Hotels are not covered by ESA Fair Housing rules. Airbnb stays are also not required to allow emotional support animals, but you can always contact them and ask politely. Some hosts allow you to bring an emotional support animal, but you should always check before booking a reservation. 

While hotels do not have to accommodate ESAs, they are required to allow psychiatric service dogs.

Can my emotional support animal come inside a restaurant or store?

No, emotional support animals are NOT allowed in stores, restaurants, or other businesses. Emotional support animals do not have the same level of public access as psychiatric service dogs, and each business has the right to accept or deny an ESA. Some businesses allow ESAs and other animals as a courtesy, but it is within their right to refuse to accommodate you.

Can my emotional support animal come to work?

Unfortunately, ESAs do not have workplace rights. There is no federal law that mandates employers to accommodate emotional support animals. Your employer may however have a policy that accepts ESAs, if certain conditions are met. It may be worthwhile to discuss what options you have with your manager or supervisor. Fair warning: most employers do not have a policy allowing ESAs during working hours.

ESA at work - ESA Doctors
Check with your employer whether you can bring your ESA to work. (Photo: Pawsitivity Service Dogs / Wikimedia Commons)

ESAs are Welcome

You should feel confident bringing your emotional support animal into your home if you have submitted an ESA letter to your landlord. ESAs laws are designed to help ESA owners find housing and live with their ESAs without having to pay extra pet fees.If you need an ESA letter, there is no better route than ESA Doctors. We will put you in touch with a licensed professional who can assess your mental and emotional health and issue an ESA letter if you qualify. The entire process is done without office visits and is confidential.

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