Basic Meaning

An animal kept for companionship, enjoyment, or ordinary household purposes.



Generally, a dog trained to perform specific disability-related work or tasks for a person with a disability.



An animal that may provide disability-related assistance or emotional support that alleviates one or more effects of a person’s disability.

Pet Rent / Pet Fees

Pet rent, pet fees, pet deposits, and pet rules may apply.



Not treated as a pet when properly established.



Not treated as a pet if approved as a reasonable accommodation.

2. Certificates, Registries, Vests, and Online IDs



Online certificates, registry numbers, ID cards, vests, tags, badges, or “official ESA registration” documents do not, by themselves, establish that an animal is a service animal or an approved assistance animal.

There is no universal government-issued “ESA certificate” that automatically requires a housing provider to waive pet rent or approve an animal.

We do not deny a request merely because it came with an online certificate, but we also do not approve a request based only on a certificate, registry, vest, ID card, or website document.

Applicants requesting an assistance animal accommodation must follow the reasonable accommodation process described below.

3. Service Animals

A service animal is generally a dog trained to perform specific work or tasks directly related to a person’s disability.

Examples may include, depending on the circumstances:

• Guiding a person who is blind or has low vision.
• Alerting a person who is deaf or hard of hearing.
• Alerting to seizures, blood sugar changes, allergens, or other medical events.
• Retrieving items, assisting with balance, interrupting harmful behavior, or performing another trained disability-related task.
• 

Emotional support, comfort, companionship, or the animal’s calming presence alone does not make an animal a service animal.

Service animals are not required to have a certificate, professional training certificate, vest, ID card, or registration number.

4. Emotional Support Animals / Assistance Animals

An emotional support animal may qualify as an assistance animal in housing when there is a disability-related need for the animal.

To be approved, the request must show more than “I want my pet with me” or “my animal makes me feel better.” The animal must be connected to a disability-related need.

If the disability and the disability-related need for the animal are obvious or already known, additional documentation may not be needed.



If the disability or need is not obvious, we may request reliable supporting information.

5. What Documentation May Be Requested

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6. What We Do Not Accept by Itself

The following are not sufficient by themselves:

• “ESA certificate”
• “ESA registration”
• Online registry number
• Animal ID card
• Vest, tag, patch, or badge
• Website verification
• Same-day online approval with no meaningful provider relationship
• Generic form letter that does not establish a disability-related need
• A statement that the animal is loved, calming, comforting, or part of the family without a disability-related connection

These documents may be submitted, but they do not automatically waive pet rent or approve the animal.

7. Multiple Animals

Each animal must be disclosed.

If more than one assistance animal is requested, the applicant or resident may be asked to provide information supporting the disability-related need for each animal.



Approval of one assistance animal does not automatically approve additional animals.

8. Multiple Animals

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9. Application Review Process

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10. Quick Reference for Applicants

A pet is not exempt from pet rent just because it has an ESA certificate.

An online certificate is not a rent coupon.

A valid assistance animal request is reviewed as a reasonable accommodation.

Approved assistance animals are not charged pet rent or pet fees, but residents remain responsible for damage and rule violations.



False, incomplete, or misleading animal information may affect application approval or lease compliance.

11. Our Goal

Our goal is to comply with applicable fair housing and disability accommodation requirements, respect legitimate disability-related needs, and apply pet policies consistently.

We welcome proper reasonable accommodation requests.

These guidelines are based on our understanding of applicable law and guidance at the time of publishing. Laws, regulations, agency guidance, and court interpretations may change over time. If any part of these guidelines conflicts with applicable federal, state, or local law, the law will control. We will update these guidelines as needed to remain consistent with current requirements.



We do not treat purchased certificates, online registrations, vests, or ID cards as automatic proof that an ordinary pet is exempt from pet rent.