Emotional Support Animal (ESA)

An animal that provides emotional comfort to a person with a disability, protected under the FHA.

An emotional support animal under the Fair Housing Act is an assistance animal that provides emotional comfort or therapeutic support to a person with a disability — they are not required to be trained to perform specific tasks (which distinguishes them from service animals under the ADA). Properly documented ESAs are exempt from a park's pet policy, pet fees, and breed or weight restrictions. Operators may request reliable documentation from a healthcare provider when the disability is not visible, but cannot require the resident to disclose the underlying condition.

Related Terms

Fair Housing Act

The federal law prohibiting housing discrimination based on protected class status.
Reasonable Accommodation

A change to a rule or policy that allows a person with a disability to use the housing on equal terms.
Service Animal

An animal trained to perform tasks for a person with a disability, exempt from pet policies.

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