Table of Contents
While ESAs are legally allowed to live with you under federal law, you should know that they do not have unlimited access to public spaces.
Navigating the ESA regulations regarding access rights often leaves many pup parents wondering: Where can I take my emotional support dog?
Before you head out with your companion, learn which specific paw-friendly spots your ESA is welcome at and when you’ll need to leave them at home.
Can ESA Dogs Go Anywhere?
Emotional support animals (ESAs) cannot go everywhere. They’re legally allowed to be with you in your house, according to the Fair Housing Act (FHA), but they don’t have the same free public access rights as service animals, which are protected by different federal laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
These restrictions exist because service animals and ESAs don’t perform the same role. The table below outlines the difference between the two:
| ESA Role | Service Animal Role |
| ESAs provide comfort and therapeutic benefits with their presence to people suffering from mental health conditions. They don’t need to be specially trained to perform tasks directly related to a disability | Service animals, such as guide dogs for the blind or psychiatric service dogs, are trained to perform specific tasks to benefit individuals with disabilities |
Under the FHA, only landlords or housing providers must make reasonable accommodation for ESAs, even if there’s a no-pets policy in the building or neighborhood, as long as you can present a valid ESA letter. Still, there are some places where it’s acceptable to bring your ESA or that would make exceptions for them, but these concessions are based on the establishment’s discretion, not as a right.
Where Are ESA Dogs Allowed?
ESAs are allowed wherever their humans live, but many places still open their doors to well-behaved ESAs, especially cats and dogs.
These places include but are not limited to:
- Public and common areas
- University dorms and housing
- Some hotels or airbnbs
- Some local shops and pet-friendly stores
Public and Common Areas
If you live in a multi-unit building, such as an apartment complex or condo, your ESA can be with you in the same public and common areas you can access as a resident. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, landlords must allow you and your ESA equal access to public spaces.
This means your furry friend can follow you to the:
- Lobby, stairway, and elevator
- Laundry room
- Recreational lounge or common room
- Fitness center or gym within your complex
- Garden, courtyard, or lawns within the property, etc.
The idea is that your ESA is free to use and enjoy your living space, including the available amenities. However, this access only applies if your ESA is well-behaved and does not pose a direct threat to the health and safety of others.
Keep in mind that unusual ESAs, particularly snakes, might not be welcome in certain public areas.
Outside the confines of your residential complex, ESAs generally don’t have the right to access the broader public space.
University Dorms and Housing
University dorms and housing fall under the FHA’s scope, which prohibits disability-based discrimination. So, universities are legally expected to make room for students with mental health and emotional conditions to live with their ESA, and allow the animals to use and enjoy the property.
You’ll need to provide a legitimate ESA letter from a licensed mental health professional (LMHP) confirming your disability and the need for the ESA. Since emotional support animals are not considered pets, you won’t be charged an additional pet deposit or fees.
Still, you’ll be responsible for your pup’s behavior, care, and potential damages they may cause. Your dog should be well-behaved, house-trained, and not a threat to others on the property. In addition, check with your school about their specific policies regarding ESAs to ensure you’re in compliance with their requirements.
Some Hotels or Airbnbs
Temporary living facilities, like hotels, motels, or airbnbs, do not qualify as permanent residential homes under the FHA. They’re not legally required to allow your emotional support dog on the premises, but many of them will agree to accommodate your pup as a normal pet, usually for a fee.
If you plan to stay in a hotel, look for those that allow you to check in with an ESA. The same goes for a short-stay apartment. Contact the airbnb owner to see whether you can bring your furry buddy along. They have the right to refuse entry or request a cleaning fee, so keep that in mind when booking.
Some Local Shops and Dog-Friendly Stores
Emotional support dogs are not generally allowed in most retail stores; only service dogs have that kind of freedom. If you want to take your dog to the store, make sure it’s a dog-friendly store with a pet policy that allows animals.
Local businesses and shops often welcome their customers’ furry companions, but this is typically at the store owner’s discretion, and they have the right to refuse.
If you’re wondering what stores allow ESA dogs, the table below outlines some large retail stores with dog-friendly policies and their requirements:
| Retail Store | Requirement |
| Home Depot | Although this store doesn’t have an official policy on its website, it will allow well-behaved, leashed, or harnessed dogs inside |
| Macy’s | Macy’s would likely allow you in with your ESA. However, they don’t have a uniform policy, so they can refuse entry in some stores |
| Bass Pro Shops | Dogs are allowed in this store unless state or local laws prohibit them. The dogs must always be leashed and accompanied by an adult |
| GAP | GAP officially allows service animals into the store but may also accommodate ESAs, as it is quite dog-friendly |
| Nordstrom | The store welcomes all well-behaved dogs that are kept on a leash and never left unattended |
Where Are ESA Dogs Not Allowed?
A few public places that could refuse entry for emotional support dogs include:
- Airplanes
- Classrooms
- Some stores and restaurants
- Work
Airplanes
Under federal law, ESAs do not have the right to ride for free in an airplane. From January 11, 2021, the Air Carrier Access Act modified ESA access on flights, so only service dogs can enjoy these benefits.
Airlines recognize ESAs as pets, so if your emotional support dog must travel with you, they’ll be subject to pet fees, size restrictions, and carrier requirements.
Classrooms
It’s true that universities open their dormitories to ESAs, but your dog is still on a short leash, because animals are not allowed in classrooms.
If you want exceptions made, you can advocate for yourself at your school’s student services or disability services department.
Some Stores and Restaurants
Some stores, like Target, outrightly refuse pets, even ESAs, from entering the premises. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also advises restaurants to prevent animals from entering eating areas due to health and hygiene concerns.
Some restaurants with outdoor patios may allow you to eat with your dog, provided you stay in the outdoor area.
Work
While you may want your furry buddy to offer you some workplace comfort, federal law does not mandate employers to accommodate ESAs at work. You can find out if your employer has a policy that accepts ESAs and if any conditions or requirements are attached.
Can an Emotional Support Dog Live Anywhere?
Your emotional support dog can live almost anywhere with you, even if your building has a no-pet policy. Fair Housing regulations protect people with mental health or emotional conditions and mandate that landlords allow ESAs to live with their owners in their rented apartments.
Landlords cannot charge extra fees or deposits to let your emotional support dog live with you, and they can’t restrict them from areas in the building due to their species, size, weight, or breed.
To exercise these rights that the FHA guarantees, you must show your landlord a legit ESA letter (yes, there can be fake ones). This letter is the key to accessing these housing benefits and accommodations.
However, there are a few cases where a landlord could be exempt from the FHA, including:
- In owner-occupied residences with two to four units
- In single-family houses sold or rented by the owner without using an agent
- If a religious organization runs the house
- If it’s a private club or senior housing
If you plan to move to a no-pet building, you should learn how to get your ESA letter to have a smooth transition to your new abode.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Your ESA Letter
The typical steps to get ESA certified include:
- Finding an LMHP: You’ll need to get an LMHP licensed to practice in your state to conduct an ESA evaluation
- Scheduling and attending your evaluation: The LMHP will assess your condition and determine whether you need the support of an ESA as part of your treatment
- Receive your ESA letter: If the practitioner decides you need an emotional support animal, based on the diagnostic requirements, they’ll give you an official ESA letter and any other professional information you need to present to your landlord. Sometimes, their diagnosis may reveal that you don’t need an ESA, and they won’t issue you a letter
This traditional process may seem like a leisurely walk in the park, but that’s not always the case. Finding an LMHP with an opening in your state, especially one offering remote consultations, can take a while. Plus, there’s no guarantee that you’ll get a letter after investing your time and money into the process.
If you want to speed up the journey to getting your ESA using a more convenient and efficient route, Your Service Animal offers a better solution. It’ll help you cut through the red tape and avoid all the extra running around that comes with trying to acquire an ESA letter.
Get Your ESA Letter in a Flash With Your Service Animal
Your Service Animal (YSA) is a fully remote ESA letter service that offers the most convenient and fastest way to get your ESA verification.
No more chasing a local therapist who’s actually available because YSA streamlines the process, swiftly connecting you with licensed LMHPs who can accommodate your schedule, in the comfort of your home.
Some tail-wagging benefits of using YSA instead of navigating the traditional trail include:
- Fast turnaround: If you’re approved after your online consultation, you can receive your printable ESA letter within 24–48 hours
- 100% Remote Process: The process begins with a free online quiz to determine your eligibility before you commit, and then you have your consultation online. You’ll know whether you qualify for the letter before triggering the procedure
- A money-back guarantee: Your ESA letter from YSA is legally valid with no risk of scam. It’s fully compliant with the necessary federal and state regulations, and you can even get your money back if the LMHP doesn’t issue it or if your landlord rejects it
How YSA Works
Your Service Animal’s simple process ensures you and your fluffy buddy enjoy your new accommodation together. Here’s how it works:
- Find out if you’re a good fit for an ESA letter with our online quiz
- Schedule an online appointment with a licensed mental health practitioner in your state
- Attend the online call and receive your ESA letter if clinically appropriate
- Receive a full refund if the therapist doesn’t issue an ESA letter or your landlord rejects your letter
Choosing YSA offers a stress-free, legitimate, and swift way to welcome your doggo home without worry!
