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

No. Under both federal FHA and Minnesota Statute 504B.113, landlords "must not require a tenant with a reasonable accommodation under this section to pay an additional fee, charge, or deposit for the service or support animal." However, you're still responsible for actual physical damage beyond normal wear and tear. If a landlord has a pet policy requiring fees, they must disclose in the lease that these fees don't apply to support animals.

Are there breed or weight limits for ESAs in Minnesota 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 or blanket policies.

Can my landlord deny my ESA in Minnesota?

Yes, but only under specific circumstances: You don't meet disability requirements Your documentation doesn't establish both a disability and a disability-related need for the animal. You refuse to provide valid documentation when legitimately requested Your documentation is fraudulent or from an unlicensed provider without knowledge of your condition The animal poses a direct threat that can't be mitigated The animal would cause substantial damage that cannot be reduced You violated Minn. Stat. 504B.113 by misrepresenting yourself or the animal Your landlord qualifies for a small landlord exemption (owner-occupied, four or fewer units)

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

No. There is no official Minnesota ESA registry, and federal law doesn't require registration. Minnesota law and HUD explicitly state that registration documents "do not convey any rights under the ADA or Fair Housing Act." The only required documentation is a legitimate ESA letter from a licensed mental health professional with knowledge of your disability and disability-related need for the animal.

Does my ESA need special training in Minnesota?

No specific task training is required (that's what distinguishes ESAs from service animals). Minnesota Statute 504B.113 defines support animals as animals that "do not need to be trained to perform a specific disability-related task." 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 Minnesota?

Yes, if each animal is necessary for your disability-related needs. You'll need documentation from a licensed provider 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.

Can I bring my ESA to work in Minnesota?

Minnesota provides more workplace protections than most states. Under the Minnesota Human Rights Act, employers must consider ESA requests as reasonable accommodations. However, employers aren't automatically required to allow ESAs and can deny requests that create undue hardship. Whether your request is granted depends on factors like the animal's behavior, workplace operations, available alternatives, and whether allowing the ESA would fundamentally alter the job's nature.

What happens if I use fraudulent ESA documentation in Minnesota?

Under Minnesota Statute 504B.113, if a tenant violates the provision prohibiting misrepresentation of disability or support animal status, the landlord may deny the tenant's rental application or request for a service or support animal. Consequences: Landlords can deny or revoke housing accommodations Potential eviction if fraud is discovered after move-in Liability for damages Loss of credibility for future accommodation requests Note: While Minn. Stat. § 609.833 makes it a misdemeanor to misrepresent service animals, this statute specifically addresses service animals, not ESAs.

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

An ESA letter in Minnesota is a document that confirms an emotional support animal’s legitimate ESA status. Obtaining an ESA letter is straightforward when using a reputable online service.

Emotional support animals are pets that alleviate mental or emotional struggles like anxiety, depression, age-related cognitive decline, autism, ADHD, and PTSD. According to Minnesota laws on emotional support animals, ESAs do not require specialized training.

Federal and state laws protect emotional support animals (ESAs). The primary federal ESA law is the Fair Housing Act (FHA), which requires landlords to provide reasonable accommodation to ESAs. Emotional support animal Minnesota laws do not grant ESAs public access and do not ensure air travel benefits. An emotional support animal is protected if it has a valid ESA letter Minnesota. In the state, ESA letters are issued by licensed mental health professionals (LMHPs) and last for 12 months.

What are the Specific Emotional Support Animal Laws in Minnesota?

Minnesota has enacted comprehensive legislation addressing both service animal misrepresentation and emotional support animal housing protections. Under Minn. Stat. § 609.833 (enacted August 1, 2018), Minnesota makes it a petty misdemeanor (first offense) or misdemeanor (subsequent offenses) to intentionally misrepresent an animal as a service animal in any place of public accommodation. Additionally, Minn. Stat. § 504B.113 (enacted July 1, 2021, updated January 1, 2025) establishes specific housing requirements for service and support animals, defines qualified providers, and allows landlords to deny applications or evict tenants who provide fraudulent documentation. Minnesota explicitly excludes ESA mills from the definition of “licensed professional” and does not require a 30-day therapeutic relationship. The state permits out-of-state providers if an existing treatment relationship exists.

Minnesota ESA Housing Laws

Minnesota emotional support animal housing protections come from federal Fair Housing Act requirements and state-specific provisions under Minn. Stat. § 504B.113.

Your Rights as a Tenant with an ESA in Minnesota:

Under the Fair Housing Act and Minnesota Stat. § 504B.113, if you have a disability and need an emotional support animal (called a “support animal” under Minnesota law), you can request a reasonable accommodation from your landlord. This means:

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

What Is a “Support Animal” in Minnesota?

Minnesota law (Minn. Stat. § 504B.113, Subd. 1(c)) defines “support animal” as an animal that:

Provides emotional support that alleviates one or more identified symptoms or effects of a person’s disability; AND
Does not need to be trained to perform a specific disability-related task

This definition aligns with the federal concept of an emotional support animal.

Common conditions that may benefit from a support animal include:

Anxiety disorders
Depression
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Bipolar disorder
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Phobias
ADHD
Autism spectrum disorders
Age-related cognitive decline
Panic attacks

What the documentation must include:

Confirmation from a licensed professional
Confirmation that you have a disability
Specific explanation of the relationship between your disability and the need for a support animal

Important: Landlords cannot require you to disclose or provide access to medical records or medical providers, or provide any other information or documentation beyond what’s specified above.

Who Can Write Your ESA Letter in Minnesota?

Minnesota law (Minn. Stat. § 504B.113, Subd. 1(e)) defines “licensed professional” as:

A physician licensed by the Board of Medical Practice (Chapter 147)
A physician assistant licensed under Chapter 147A
A nurse licensed under Chapter 148
A psychologist licensed under Chapter 148
A licensed independent clinical social worker (LICSW) under Chapter 148E
A licensed professional clinical counselor (LPCC) under Chapter 148B
A licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) under Chapter 148B
Any professional listed above who holds a valid license in any other state, PROVIDED the professional has an existing treatment relationship with you

CRITICAL EXCLUSION – ESA Mills Prohibited:

Minnesota law explicitly states: “A licensed professional does not include any person who operates primarily to provide certification for a service or support animal.”

This means online ESA mills that primarily sell certifications are explicitly excluded from the definition of “licensed professional” under Minnesota law.

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

Your landlord CAN:

Request supporting documentation from a licensed professional if your disability or need isn’t readily apparent or already known
Verify the legitimacy of your documentation
Deny your rental application or request for a support animal if you misrepresent yourself or provide fraudulent documentation
Initiate eviction proceedings based on breach of lease if you violated Minn. Stat. § 504B.113
Hold you financially responsible for any damage your support animal causes
Deny your support animal if it poses a direct threat to others’ health or safety
Deny your support animal if it would cause substantial property damage
Deny your support animal if accommodating it would impose an undue financial or administrative burden

Your landlord CANNOT:

Require you to disclose or provide access to medical records
Require you to provide access to medical providers
Ask for information beyond disability confirmation and the relationship between disability and need for the animal
Charge you pet fees, deposits, or rent for your support animal
Require support animal registration or certification
Retaliate against you for requesting a support animal accommodation

Your Responsibilities as a Support Animal Owner:

Obtain proper documentation from a qualified licensed professional with an existing treatment relationship
Provide truthful information – do NOT misrepresent yourself as having a disability
Do NOT provide fraudulent supporting documentation
Keep your support animal well-behaved and under control
Ensure your support animal is housebroken
Clean up after your support animal
You’re liable for any property damage your support animal causes

Minnesota Law Specifically Addresses Tenant Fraud:

Under Minn. Stat. § 504B.113, Subd. 4, a tenant must not, directly or indirectly through statements or conduct, knowingly:

Misrepresent themselves as a person with a disability that requires the use of a service or support animal; OR
Provide fraudulent supporting documentation

Penalty for Housing Fraud:

Under Minn. Stat. § 504B.113, Subd. 5, if you violate this section:

The landlord may deny your rental application or request for a support animal
Nothing prohibits an eviction action based on breach of lease

Landlord Must Disclose Fee Prohibition:

If a landlord has a pet policy requiring additional fees, charges, or deposits, the landlord must disclose in the lease that these fees DO NOT apply to service or support animals.

If the landlord fails to provide this disclosure, and you would have requested and likely received a reasonable accommodation had they disclosed it, you can bring an action to recover any fees, charges, or deposits you paid.

When Can Your Landlord Legally Deny Your Support Animal?

A landlord can refuse your support animal in these situations:

You misrepresent yourself as having a disability
You provide fraudulent supporting documentation
Your support animal poses a direct threat to others’ health or safety
Your support animal would cause substantial physical damage to the property
Accommodating your support animal would create an undue financial or administrative burden
The accommodation would fundamentally alter the essential nature of the housing provider’s services
Your documentation comes from someone who operates primarily to provide certifications (ESA mills)
Your disability and need are not readily apparent, not already known to the landlord, and you don’t provide adequate documentation
The landlord qualifies for FHA exemptions

Where to File a Complaint:

If your landlord unlawfully denies your support animal request, contact:

Minnesota Department of Human Rights (MDHR) – Discrimination Hotline: 1-833-454-0148
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

Minnesota ESA Employment Laws

Minnesota 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 and Minnesota Human Rights Act.

However, employees may request reasonable accommodations under the ADA, and some Minnesota employers voluntarily allow support animals on a case-by-case basis.

Minnesota ESA Laws for Public Places

Emotional support animals (support animals) have no public access rights in Minnesota.

Minnesota law (Minn. Stat. § 256C.02 and § 363A.19, amended 2024) and the federal ADA grant people with disabilities the right to be accompanied by service animals in public places, but support animals are explicitly excluded from these protections.

Support Animals 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)
Theaters and concert halls
Sports facilities
Any place of public accommodation

Minnesota ESA Travel Laws

Since January 11, 2021, airlines no longer recognize ESAs as service animals for air travel under Department of Transportation regulations.

Minnesota residents traveling through airports like Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP), Duluth International Airport (DLH), or other Minnesota airports must follow individual airline pet policies. Your support animal will be treated as a regular pet, meaning:

You’ll pay pet fees (typically $95-$125 each way)
Your support animal must fit in an airline-approved carrier under the seat
Size and breed restrictions apply
You must follow all standard pet travel rules
Not all airlines accept pets in cabin

Only psychiatric service dogs trained to perform specific disability-related tasks retain cabin access protections under the Air Carrier Access Act.

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

Minnesota HAS Laws Penalizing Misrepresentation

Minnesota has TWO separate statutes addressing service animal misrepresentation and support animal fraud:

1. SERVICE ANIMAL MISREPRESENTATION IN PUBLIC (Minn. Stat. § 609.833)

You commit a crime if you intentionally misrepresent an animal as a service animal in any place of public accommodation to obtain rights or privileges available to people who qualify for service animals, knowing you’re not entitled to those rights or privileges.

This includes misrepresentation “directly or indirectly through statements or conduct.”

The Penalties:

First offense: Petty misdemeanor

Fine up to $300
No jail time

Second or subsequent offense: Misdemeanor

Fine up to $1,000
Imprisonment up to 90 days
OR both

2. SUPPORT ANIMAL FRAUD IN HOUSING (Minn. Stat. § 504B.113)

What’s Illegal:

Under Minn. Stat. § 504B.113, Subd. 4, a tenant must not, directly or indirectly through statements or conduct, knowingly:

Misrepresent themselves as a person with a disability that requires the use of a service or support animal; OR
Provide fraudulent supporting documentation

The Penalties:

Under Minn. Stat. § 504B.113, Subd. 5:

Landlord may deny your rental application or request for a service or support animal
Landlord can initiate eviction action based on breach of lease

While not criminal penalties, these housing-specific consequences can have severe impacts on your ability to secure housing in Minnesota.

What Else Can Happen:

Beyond the specific statutory penalties, you can face:

Housing Consequences:

Eviction from your apartment
Denial of rental applications by future landlords
Lawsuits from your landlord for damages and legal fees
Housing discrimination complaints if your fraud harms landlords
Permanent rental history damage making it difficult to rent in Minnesota

Public Access Consequences:

Criminal charges under Minn. Stat. § 609.833 (up to $1,000 fine + 90 days jail for repeat offenses)
Removal from businesses and public places
Trespassing charges if you refuse to leave after being asked
Permanent bans from certain establishments
Criminal record for misdemeanor convictions

Legal Consequences:

Fraud charges under general Minnesota fraud statutes if you falsify documents
Civil liability if your untrained animal injures someone or causes property damage
Harm to legitimate service animal users – Minnesota emphasizes that misrepresentation “jeopardizes the independence and safety of people with disabilities”

Is ESA Registration in Minnesota Required?

No, ESA registration in Minnesota is not required. National ESA registries do not exist, and ESA registration is not a legally valid requirement.

Websites and companies promoting free emotional support animal registration in Minnesota are likely to be fraudulent. The only document confirming the ESA status is the ESA letter.

Mental health professionals with active licenses in Minnesota are allowed to write and sign valid emotional support animal letters.

Is Getting an ESA Letter Online Legal in Minnesota?

Yes, getting an ESA letter online is legal in Minnesota. ESA letters in Minnesota are obtained after an in-person or online consultation with a mental health professional licensed in the state.

Minnesota residents are allowed to use online services to set up telehealth consultations with LMHPs through phone or video calls.

ESA letters are legal as long as they are written and signed by licensed professionals. It is unimportant whether the consult was completed virtually or physically.

Not all online services offering ESA letters are legit. Research the provider before taking further steps. Beware of websites marketing free, cheap, and fast ESA letters, as they are likely to be scams.

Can you have Multiple Emotional Support Animals in Minnesota?

Yes, you can have multiple emotional support animals in Minnesota. ESA laws do not limit the number of emotional support animals per owner.

A person is allowed to have as many ESAs as a licensed mental health professional sees fit. The only requirement is that each ESA has its own ESA letter. People suffering from multiple mental or emotional disorders often need numerous ESAs.

Some landlords find multiple ESAs to be problematic. Under the FHA, landlords have the right to deny ESAs if they pose a financial or administrative burden. One or two emotional support animals are not a burden, but a higher number might be for some landlords.

How to Get an ESA Letter in Minnesota?

The indicative instructions on how to get an ESA letter in Minnesota are given below. If a person is already seeing a therapist, they can talk to them about requesting an ESA letter. Physicians and physician assistants can also issue an ESA letter.

Consider Mental Health and ESA Needs. Think about the mental or emotional issues and whether an ESA is beneficial for those specific needs. Examples of ESA-qualifying conditions include anxiety, PTSD, ADHD, and depression.
Contact a Licensed Mental Health Professional. Get in touch with a mental health professional licensed in Minnesota. The LMHP evaluates the situation and determines the need for an emotional support animal.
Receive the Emotional Support Animal Letter. Get the ESA letter immediately in a printable, PDF version or within two business days in a hard copy delivered to the home address.
Understand the ESA Rights and Limitations. Familiarize yourself with the basic ESA rules. For example, the ESA letter in Minnesota ensures housing rights and workplace benefits but does not grant ESAs air travel perks or unlimited access to public places.

Apply for a Minnesota emotional support animal letter via online platforms like CertaPet. CertaPet provides valid ESA letters in three steps.

First, take a short and confidential pre-screening test to confirm the ESA eligibility. Second, get contacted via phone by a mental health professional licensed in Minnesota within two business days. Third, get the ESA letter Minnesota in an electronic form or request a hard copy.

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

The advantages of getting an ESA letter in Minnesota through CertaPet are listed below.

Valid ESA Documentation: CertaPet has a network of mental health professionals who are licensed in different states. Its ESA letters are written and issued in accordance with state and federal laws.
Three-Step Process: Getting an ESA letter via CertaPet is fast and easy. Taking a short pre-screening test, consulting with a mental health professional licensed in the state, and receiving the letter are the three required steps.
Reasonable Turnaround Time: CertaPet ensures the Minnesota emotional support animal letter is obtained within a reasonable timeframe. It takes two days for the LMHP consult to be scheduled, and approved candidates get their letters immediately.
Ease of Mind: A valid ESA letter Minnesota obtained through CertaPet protects ESAs in housing, workplace, air travel, and public places. Emotional support animals enjoy some benefits that are not applicable to regular pets.

Do ESA Letters in Minnesota need to be Renewed Annually?

Yes, ESA letters in Minnesota need to be renewed annually. ESA letters do not expire in the typical manner but must be updated yearly to stay valid.

A current ESA letter is required to ensure legal housing and travel rights. Emotional support animals are valid for 12 months.

Contact the LMHP who wrote the letter for renewal purposes or see a new clinician. Renewing the ESA letter through online services’ telehealth platforms is the simplest method. Most online providers offer ESA letter renewals up to a month before the expiration date.

How to Avoid Online Scams in ESA Letters in Minnesota?

The instructions on how to avoid online scams in ESA letters in Minnesota are given below.

Read about the ESA Service. Carefully research different online ESA services to get an idea of what they are offering. Read reviews and testimonials to see what others think of the services.
Double-Check the ESA Letter Information. A valid ESA letter is always written on the LMHP’s official letterhead and contains information such as name, contact, credentials, and signature.
Consider the ESA Letter Price. Trustworthy online ESA services have vast networks of professionals licensed in different states. Maintaining such networks is costly, affecting the end price of the ESA letter.
Set Reasonable ESA Letter Expectations. Websites offering unreasonable services, such as instant letters (without LMHP consults) or unlimited ESA letters that do not have an expiration date are scams.
Skip Sites Offering Free Services. Another trick scam websites use is free services. Fraudulent ESA websites offer free emotional support animal certification, registration, and paraphernalia (ID tags and vests), which are legally invalid and unnecessary.

Ivana Crnec, DVM Veterinarian

Ivana Crnec got her veterinary degree at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Bitola. She then continued her education at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Zagreb, Croatia, where she specialized in domestic carnivores.

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

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