South · Maryland
ESA letter & service dog laws in Maryland.
ESA and service-dog rules in Maryland are governed by different federal statutes and apply in different contexts. Use the page that matches your situation.
Educational content, not legal advice. For your specific situation, consult a Maryland-licensed attorney.
For housing accommodations
ESA letter laws in Maryland
Maryland follows the federal Fair Housing Act with state-level reinforcement through Md. Code, State Gov't § 20-705 et seq. The Maryland Commission on Civil Rights handles state-level housing-discrimination complaints in parallel with HUD.
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For public access
Service dog laws in Maryland
Maryland combines the federal ADA with state-level service-animal protections under Md. Code, Crim. Law § 3-111 (interfering with a service animal) and Md. Code, Human Servs. § 7-704 et seq. (public-access rights for individuals with disabilities and their service animals).
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Which one applies to me?
- ESA letter — for housing accommodations under the federal Fair Housing Act. Allows an emotional support animal in a "no pets" rental. No public-access rights.
- Service dog — for public access under the federal ADA. The dog must be individually trained to perform a task tied to a disability. Can include psychiatric service dogs (PSDs).