Can my landlord charge pet rent or a pet deposit for my ESA in Louisiana?

No. Under both federal FHA and Louisiana housing law, pet rent, pet fees, and pet deposits must be waived for ESAs. However, you're still responsible for actual physical damage beyond normal wear and tear.

Are there breed or weight limits for ESAs in Louisiana housing?

No. Breed and weight limits that apply to pets generally do not apply to ESAs. Decisions must be individualized to the specific animal, not based on stereotypes.

Can my landlord deny my ESA in Louisiana?

Yes, but only under specific circumstances: You don't meet disability requirements Your documentation doesn't meet Louisiana HB 407 requirements (such as lacking the 30-day therapeutic relationship with at least two consultations) You refuse to provide valid documentation when legitimately requested Your documentation is fraudulent or from an unlicensed provider The animal poses a direct threat that can't be mitigated The animal would cause substantial damage that cannot be reduced Your landlord qualifies for a small landlord exemption (owner-occupied, four or fewer units)

Do I have to register my ESA in Louisiana or get a special ID?

No. There is no official Louisiana ESA registry, and federal law doesn't require registration. Louisiana HB 407 explicitly prohibits the use of templated ESA certifications and registrations as valid documentation. The only required documentation is a legitimate ESA letter from a Louisiana-licensed mental health professional with whom you have established a minimum 30-day therapeutic relationship with at least two consultations.

Does my ESA need special training in Louisiana?

No specific task training is required (that's what distinguishes ESAs from service animals). However, your ESA must: Be under your control Be housebroken Not be aggressive or pose a safety threat Not cause ongoing disturbances that fundamentally alter the housing environment Comply with reasonable rules applicable to all residents

Can I have more than one ESA in Louisiana?

Yes, if each animal is necessary for your disability-related needs. You'll need documentation from a licensed Louisiana provider (with the required 30-day relationship and at least two consultations) explaining the need for multiple animals. Landlords can consider whether multiple ESAs would create an undue burden, pose safety concerns, or cause significant property damage.

Does my clinician need to be licensed in Louisiana?

Yes. Your provider must be licensed to practice in Louisiana and should include their Louisiana license details in your letter. Additionally, Louisiana HB 407 requires that you establish a minimum 30-day therapeutic relationship with at least two consultations with this provider before they can issue your ESA letter.

What happens if I use fraudulent ESA documentation in Louisiana?

Providing fraudulent ESA documentation or documentation that doesn't meet Louisiana HB 407 requirements (such as a lack of the 30-day therapeutic relationship with at least two consultations) can have serious consequences. Consequences: Landlords can deny or revoke housing accommodations Potential eviction if fraud is discovered after move-in Providers and sellers of fraudulent ESA products face civil penalties under Louisiana HB 407: First offense: $500 Second offense: $1,000 Third and subsequent offenses: $2,500

Can I use an ESA letter from another state in Louisiana?

While an ESA letter from a provider licensed in another state may be temporarily accepted, this is not allowed in Louisiana. This is because a Louisiana-licensed mental health professional needs to write the letter to ensure full compliance with Louisiana HB 407 and to avoid potential landlord challenges.

Louisiana ESA Letter: How to Get It and Louisiana ESA Laws

For residents in Louisiana, securing an emotional support animal (ESA) provides life-changing benefits, including emotional stability, companionship, and essential mental health support. An ESA letter in Louisiana is a critical document issued by a licensed mental health professional, enabling individuals to live with their ESA even in housing that restricts pets. This letter also waives pet-related fees in most cases, ensuring fair treatment under the Fair Housing Act (FHA). Louisiana laws reinforce these federal protections, recognizing emotional support animals as vital therapeutic aids rather than mere pets. With an ESA letter in Louisiana, residents confidently assert their rights while benefiting from the comfort and companionship their ESA provides.

What are the Specific Emotional Support Animal Laws in Louisiana?

Louisiana enacted the Louisiana Support and Service Animal Integrity Act (House Bill 407, Act No. 558, effective August 1, 2024), creating comprehensive state regulations for emotional support animals and service dogs. Louisiana requires a mandatory 30-day therapeutic relationship with at least two sessions before healthcare providers can issue ESA documentation, making it one of only three states (along with California and Montana) with this requirement. The law establishes escalating civil penalties ($500/$1,000/$2,500) for violations and explicitly targets online ESA letter mills by excluding them from the definition of “therapeutic relationship.” Louisiana does not require ESA registration but criminalizes misrepresenting service animals.

Louisiana ESA Housing Laws

Louisiana’s emotional support animal housing protections come from both federal Fair Housing Act requirements and the state’s 2024 Support and Service Animal Integrity Act, which reinforces federal protections while adding specific Louisiana requirements.

Your Rights as a Tenant with an ESA in Louisiana:

Under the Fair Housing Act and Louisiana R.S. 46:1971-1978, if you have a disability and need an emotional support animal, you can request a reasonable accommodation from your landlord. This means:

Landlords must allow your ESA even in buildings with no-pet policies
You cannot be charged pet fees, pet deposits, or monthly pet rent
Breed, size, and weight restrictions don’t apply to ESAs
Your landlord cannot discriminate against you because of your ESA

What Documentation Does Your Landlord Need?

Your landlord can request documentation proving your disability and disability-related need for an ESA.

Louisiana law requires documentation must:

Come from a licensed healthcare provider with an active Louisiana license
Be based on a 30-day minimum therapeutic relationship
Include the effective date, provider’s license number, and type of professional license
Result from at least two sessions (in-person or remote) with the provider
Follow a clinical evaluation conducted at least 30 days before issuing documentation

Louisiana’s Strict “Therapeutic Relationship” Requirement:

Louisiana defines “therapeutic relationship” as “the provision of healthcare services by a healthcare provider in good faith and with actual knowledge of an individual’s disability and that individual’s disability-related need for a support animal.”

CRITICAL: Louisiana’s therapeutic relationship does NOT include services from individuals or entities that issue certificates, licenses, letters, or similar documents that purport to confirm—without conducting a meaningful assessment—that a person has a disability or disability-related need for a support animal.

This directly targets and excludes online ESA letter mills.

Louisiana’s 30-Day Waiting Period:

Louisiana is one of five states (along with California, Montana, Iowa, and Arkansas) that requires a mandatory 30-day therapeutic relationship before healthcare providers can issue ESA documentation.

This means:

Your healthcare provider must know you for at least 30 days
You must have at least two sessions (in-person or remote)
Your provider must conduct a clinical evaluation at least 30 days before issuing documentation
No instant ESA letters—the process takes a minimum of one month

Who Can Provide Valid Documentation in Louisiana:

Only these licensed providers can issue ESA documentation:

Healthcare providers with an active, valid Louisiana license
Healthcare providers with an active license within a healthcare profession that has a licensure compact
Must be qualified and licensed to evaluate and diagnose disabilities
Must have performed a disability assessment

This includes:

Physicians
Psychiatrists
Psychologists
Licensed clinical social workers
Licensed professional counselors
Other licensed mental health professionals authorized to diagnose disabilities

Important: Online ESA Letter Mills Are EXPLICITLY Excluded:

Louisiana law specifically states that “therapeutic relationship” does NOT include services that issue documents “without conducting a meaningful assessment.” Online ESA registries and instant letter services do NOT meet Louisiana’s requirements.

What Your Landlord Can (and Can’t) Do:

Your landlord CAN:

Request proper documentation meeting Louisiana’s requirements
Verify your healthcare provider’s license and the documentation’s authenticity
Deny your ESA if documentation doesn’t meet the 30-day relationship requirement
Deny your ESA if it poses a direct threat to others’ health or safety
Deny your ESA if it would cause substantial property damage
Hold you financially responsible for any damage your ESA causes

Your landlord CANNOT:

Ask for your medical records or detailed diagnosis
Require ESA registration or certification beyond proper documentation
Charge you pet fees, deposits, or rent for your ESA
Enforce breed, size, or weight restrictions on your ESA

Your Responsibilities as an ESA Owner:

Obtain proper documentation meeting Louisiana’s 30-day requirement
Keep your ESA well-behaved and under control
Clean up after your ESA
You’re liable for any property damage your ESA causes
Comply with all lease terms that apply to all tenants

When Can Your Landlord Legally Deny Your ESA?

A landlord can refuse your ESA in these situations:

Your documentation doesn’t meet Louisiana’s 30-day therapeutic relationship requirement
You only had one session (Louisiana requires at least two)
Your documentation came from an online ESA letter mill
Your ESA poses a direct threat to others’ health or safety
Your ESA would cause substantial property damage
Accommodating your ESA would create an undue financial burden
The landlord qualifies for FHA exemptions (owner-occupied buildings with 4 or fewer units, single-family homes rented without brokers)

Where to File a Complaint:

If your landlord unlawfully denies your ESA request, contact:

Louisiana Equal Housing Opportunity Commission
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

Louisiana ESA Employment Laws

Louisiana does not require employers to allow emotional support animals in the workplace. Only service dogs trained to perform specific disability-related tasks receive workplace protections under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Employers with 20 or more workers must provide reasonable accommodations to employees with disabilities, and an ESA may be considered in some cases if its presence enables the employee to perform essential job functions without causing undue hardship.

Louisiana ESA Laws for Public Places

Emotional support animals have no public access rights in Louisiana.

Louisiana law (R.S. 46:1952-1953) grants people with disabilities the right to be accompanied by service dogs in public places, but ESAs do not qualify as service dogs and therefore don’t have automatic public access rights.

ESAs are NOT allowed in:

Restaurants and food establishments
Retail stores and shopping malls
Hotels (unless they’re pet-friendly)
Public transportation (except as regular pets under pet policies)
Government buildings
Healthcare facilities
Schools and universities (except in housing)

Louisiana ESA Travel Laws

Since 2021, airlines no longer recognize ESAs as service animals for air travel.

Louisiana residents traveling through airports like Louis Armstrong New Orleans International (MSY), Baton Rouge Metropolitan (BTR), or Shreveport Regional (SHV) must follow individual airline pet policies. Your ESA will be treated as a regular pet, meaning:

You’ll pay pet fees (typically $95-$125 each way)
Your ESA must fit in an airline-approved carrier under the seat
Size and breed restrictions apply
You must follow all standard pet travel rules

Only psychiatric service dogs trained to perform specific tasks retain cabin access protections.

Faking an ESA or Service Animal in Louisiana: Penalties and Consequences

Louisiana’s 2024 law cracks down hard on fake ESAs and service animals. Here’s what you need to know about the penalties.

What’s Illegal in Louisiana:

You can’t fake a service animal or ESA in Louisiana. Specifically, you can’t:

Lie about having a disability to get an ESA approved
Pretend your pet is a service animal in restaurants, stores, apartments, or other public places
Buy a fake ESA letter online without a real 30-day relationship with a Louisiana-licensed provider

Healthcare providers can’t:

Issue ESA letters without at least two sessions over 30 days
Write ESA documentation without doing a proper clinical evaluation
Claim someone needs an ESA when they don’t

The Penalties:

Louisiana uses escalating fines that get worse each time you’re caught:

1st offense: Up to $500
2nd offense: Up to $1,000
3rd offense: Up to $2,500

No jail time, but you’ll pay the fine and face other consequences.

Who Gets Penalized:

Individuals faking disabilities
Doctors or therapists issuing fake ESA letters
Businesses selling fake ESA certificates

Louisiana is one of few states that fines healthcare providers for fraudulent ESA letters.

What Else Can Happen:

Beyond fines, expect:

Eviction from your apartment
Lawsuits from your landlord for damages and legal fees
Housing denials when future landlords check your record
Professional consequences for providers (license suspension, disciplinary action)

Why Louisiana’s Law Is Different:

Louisiana has the strictest ESA requirements in the country:

Mandatory 30-day relationship (only 3 states require this)
At least 2 sessions with your provider
Clinical evaluation at least 30 days before getting documentation
Only Louisiana-licensed healthcare providers qualify

The Bottom Line:

Online ESA letter mills don’t work in Louisiana. You need a legitimate 30-day relationship with a licensed provider who conducts a real evaluation. With fines up to $2,500 and potential eviction, it’s not worth the risk.

Is ESA Registration in Louisiana Required?

No, an emotional support animal registration in Louisiana is not required to qualify a pet as an emotional support animal (ESA). The misconception that ESAs must be certified or registered is widespread but incorrect. The only document needed to recognize a pet as an ESA is a valid ESA letter issued by a licensed professional.

An ESA letter serves as official documentation confirming the individual’s need for the ESA due to a mental or emotional health condition. This letter grants legal protections under federal laws, such as the Fair Housing Act (FHA), allowing individuals with an ESA in Louisiana to live with their emotional support animal in housing that typically restricts pets.

While some websites offer “registration” or “certification” for ESAs, these are unnecessary and often misleading. The ESA letter is the sole legal requirement to ensure a pet is recognized as an emotional support animal and protected under the law.

How to Get an ESA Letter in Louisiana?

Consult a Licensed Mental Health Professional (LMHP). The first step in obtaining an ESA letter in Louisiana is to consult a licensed mental health professional, such as a therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist, or another authorized health care provider. They evaluate the individual’s mental health needs and determine if an emotional support animal is necessary for their well-being.
Complete an Evaluation. After scheduling an appointment, the LMHP conducts an evaluation. During this process, the individual discusses the emotional or psychological condition, and the professional assesses whether an ESA is a suitable part of the treatment plan.
Receive the ESA Letter. An ESA letter is issued if the LMHP determines that an individual benefits from an emotional support animal. This letter must be on the professional’s letterhead and include details about the mental health condition and the need for an ESA.
Understand the Rights Under Louisiana ESA Laws. Once the ESA letter is released, individuals are protected under emotional support animal Louisiana laws, which grant them certain rights regarding housing and travel. This letter allows them to live with their ESA in housing that otherwise restricts pets and ensures accommodations on airlines that would enable ESAs.
Verify ESA Letter Authenticity. Ensure that an ESA letter is legitimate and issued by a licensed professional. Check for online platforms that connect to licensed professionals, but be cautious of scams.

If individuals need an ESA quickly, CertaPet is a trusted platform that helps Louisiana residents obtain a legitimate ESA letter. It connects individuals with licensed professionals who provide the necessary documentation under Louisiana ESA laws.

What are the Advantages of Getting an ESA Letter in Louisiana through CertaPet?

Convenience and Accessibility: CertaPet offers a simple online platform where individuals apply for an ESA letter without leaving home. They then get their letters quickly and conveniently by connecting with licensed professionals authorized to issue them in Louisiana.
Compliance with Louisiana ESA Laws: CertaPet ensures that all ESA letters comply with emotional support animal laws in Louisiana. This means the letter is legally valid and recognized by landlords and airlines, ensuring that individuals have access to housing and travel accommodations as protected under the law.
Affordable and Transparent Pricing: With CertaPet, there are no hidden fees. The platform provides transparent pricing, making it affordable for residents in Louisiana to obtain a legitimate ESA letter without extra costs.
Quick Turnaround Time: CertaPet’s process is streamlined, offering a quick turnaround on ESA letter approval. After completing the necessary evaluation, individuals receive the ESA letter promptly, allowing them to enjoy the benefits of having an emotional support animal sooner.
No Need for ESA Registration: Many wonder, “Do you have to register an emotional support animal?” The answer is no. CertaPet provides a legitimate ESA letter, which is the only requirement for an ESA. There is no need for additional registration or certification, as the letter is sufficient to access housing and travel rights under federal and state laws.
Support and Guidance: CertaPet offers customer support throughout the process, answering any questions or concerns about the ESA letter, rights, or how to use the letter following Louisiana ESA laws.

Do ESA Letters in Louisiana need to be Renewed Annually?

Yes, ESA letters in Louisiana must be renewed annually. It is generally recommended that the ESA letter be updated yearly to ensure that it remains valid and reflects current mental health needs. This is especially important for individuals who need the letter for housing or travel accommodations, as landlords and airlines require proof of continued need.

Renewal involves a brief evaluation to determine whether an emotional support animal (ESA) is still necessary for a mental health treatment plan. The ESA letter must also meet the requirements of the Fair Housing Act service animal protections, ensuring the ESA’s rights are upheld. The renewal cost varies, and the price depends on the provider, but some online platforms offer affordable renewal options.

How to Avoid Online Scams in ESA Letters in Louisiana?

Verify the Credentials of the Provider. Ensure the service connects with a licensed mental health professional (LMHP) authorized to practice in Louisiana, or another authorized health care provider. An LMHP must issue a legitimate ESA letter after properly evaluating the mental health needs. Avoid websites that do not provide this information.
Beware of “Instant” ESA Letters. Any platform promising immediate approval without an evaluation is likely a scam. Obtaining an ESA letter requires a professional assessment, not just filling out a form or paying a fee upfront.
Avoid “Emotional Support Animal Certification” Offers. Under federal law, there is no ESA certification or registration. Legitimate ESA letters are the only legally recognized documentation. Scammers often exploit misconceptions about ESA certification to sell unnecessary products.
Read Reviews and Ratings. Look for reviews on platforms like the Better Business Bureau (BBB). For example, check for trustworthy platforms like Pettable BBB reviews, which provide insight into a company’s reliability. Avoid services with numerous complaints or low ratings.
Ensure Compliance with Louisiana ESA Laws. A legitimate ESA letter must comply with federal protections, such as the Fair Housing Act, and be recognized under Louisiana laws. Verify that the service adheres to these requirements.
Watch for Hidden Fees. Reputable providers are transparent about costs. Be cautious of services that charge additional fees for unnecessary “registrations” or offer lifetime memberships without clarification.

Erika Caturegli, PhD SEO & Content Manager

Erika is a linguist by trade with a focus on academia and English as a second language studies, she's been working in content management for the past 5 years. She's a huge animal lover, especially dogs and cats.

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Louisiana ESA Letter: How to Get It and ESA Laws in Louisiana

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