Emotional support animal — by state
ESA letter laws in every state.
The federal Fair Housing Act sets the floor in every state — most residential housing providers must make a reasonable accommodation for tenants with disabilities, which generally includes allowing an emotional support animal even where a "no pets" policy applies. A handful of states layer on additional rules: California requires a 30-day clinical relationship; Florida requires personal knowledge of the disability; Illinois lists which professionals can issue documentation. Every state's page below cites primary sources for every claim.
Educational content. Not legal advice. Consult a state-licensed attorney for your specific situation.
States with their own ESA-specific statutes
In these states, the clinician, the landlord, or both need to know the state rule on top of the federal floor.
West
Alaska
State-specific ESA documentation rule.
South
Arkansas
State-specific ESA documentation rule.
West
California
State-specific ESA documentation rule.
West
Colorado
State-specific ESA documentation rule.
Northeast
Connecticut
State-specific ESA documentation rule.
South
Delaware
State-specific ESA documentation rule.
South
District of Columbia
State-specific ESA documentation rule.
South
Florida
State-specific ESA documentation rule.
West
Hawaii
State-specific ESA documentation rule.
Midwest
Illinois
State-specific ESA documentation rule.
South
Louisiana
State-specific ESA documentation rule.
Northeast
Maine
State-specific ESA documentation rule.
South
Maryland
State-specific ESA documentation rule.
Northeast
Massachusetts
State-specific ESA documentation rule.
Midwest
Michigan
State-specific ESA documentation rule.
Midwest
Minnesota
State-specific ESA documentation rule.
West
Montana
State-specific ESA documentation rule.
Midwest
Nebraska
State-specific ESA documentation rule.
West
Nevada
State-specific ESA documentation rule.
Northeast
New Hampshire
State-specific ESA documentation rule.
Northeast
New Jersey
State-specific ESA documentation rule.
Northeast
New York
State-specific ESA documentation rule.
West
Oregon
State-specific ESA documentation rule.
Northeast
Pennsylvania
State-specific ESA documentation rule.
Northeast
Rhode Island
State-specific ESA documentation rule.
Midwest
South Dakota
State-specific ESA documentation rule.
Northeast
Vermont
State-specific ESA documentation rule.
South
Virginia
State-specific ESA documentation rule.
South
West Virginia
State-specific ESA documentation rule.
Midwest
Wisconsin
State-specific ESA documentation rule.
All states + DC, by region
Northeast
South
Midwest
Looking for service dog laws instead?
ESA and service dog rules are governed by different federal statutes — FHA for ESAs in housing, ADA for service dogs in public access. The two questions involve different rights and different remedies.
Service dog laws by state →