Your rights, in plain language

The Fair Housing Act

Landlords, property managers, condo boards, and HOAs generally must make a reasonable accommodation to a no pets policy for a service animal or emotional support animal. This applies even in buildings that otherwise ban pets entirely, and even if a pet fee or deposit is normally charged.

A landlord cannot lawfully charge a pet fee or deposit for a legitimate assistance animal, demand a specific certificate or registration as a condition of approval, or ask about the specifics of your disability. They can ask for documentation from a health care provider if your disability is not obvious, but that documentation does not need to name a diagnosis.

The Americans with Disabilities Act

Restaurants, stores, hotels, and other public places must generally allow trained service dogs to accompany their handler, including into areas where the public normally goes. Staff may only ask two questions: whether the dog is a service animal required because of a disability, and what task the dog is trained to perform.

Staff cannot demand documentation, require a demonstration of the dog's task, ask about your disability, or charge an extra fee. The ADA's public access protection generally covers trained service dogs, not emotional support animals, which is an important distinction from housing law.

The Air Carrier Access Act

Airlines must generally permit trained service dogs to accompany a passenger with a disability in the cabin, at no extra charge. Airlines may require a standard DOT form confirming the dog's training, health, and behavior, but cannot deny travel outright because of the presence of a service animal that meets those requirements.

Pet screening companies

Landlords increasingly outsource pet policy decisions to third party screening services. Those services still have to follow the same fair housing rules as the landlord who hired them. A screening company cannot require a paid registration, a specific web based certificate, or documentation beyond what fair housing guidance allows, and it cannot be the reason your move in date is delayed past what a normal applicant would face.