An ESA letter in Oregon is life-changing for individuals struggling with emotional or mental health challenges. Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) in Oregon provide invaluable comfort, companionship, and stability for Oregon residents dealing with anxiety, depression, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and other mental health conditions. With an official ESA letter, individuals gain the legal right to live with their emotional support animal in housing that otherwise has pet restrictions—protecting their well-being without fear of discrimination. Oregon residents benefit from federal laws like the Fair Housing Act (FHA), which ensures housing accommodations, and local guidelines that recognize the therapeutic role of ESAs.
What are the Specific Emotional Support Animal Laws in Oregon?
Oregon emotional support animal laws rely entirely on federal Fair Housing Act protections reinforced by Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 659A. While ESAs receive strong housing protections, they have no rights in public places, on flights, or in most workplaces. Critically, Oregon is one of the states WITHOUT a specific law against misrepresenting service animals in public places or ESAs in housing, despite attempting to pass such legislation twice in 2019.
ESA Housing Laws in Oregon
Federal Protection: Fair Housing Act
Oregon residents with an emotional support animal are protected under the federal Fair Housing Act (FHA). This law requires landlords to provide reasonable accommodations for ESAs, even in properties with strict “no pets” policies.
Oregon State Law: Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 659A
Oregon reinforces federal protections through its own civil rights and disability discrimination laws in ORS Chapter 659A. While Oregon has no ESA-specific housing statute, the state fully upholds Fair Housing Act requirements and adds state-level protections against disability discrimination.
ORS 659A.143 (enacted 2013) addresses assistance animals in public accommodations and protects service animal users, but Oregon has no separate state law expanding on federal ESA housing protections beyond general disability discrimination prohibitions.
Your Rights Under Federal and Oregon Law:
If you have a legitimate ESA letter from a licensed mental health professional, your landlord must allow your emotional support animal to live with you. Landlords cannot charge pet fees, pet deposits, or monthly pet rent for ESAs. They cannot enforce breed restrictions, weight limits, or size requirements that normally apply to pets. Your ESA is considered a disability accommodation, not a pet under fair housing law.
You must be allowed full and equal access to all housing facilities, and you’re entitled to the same housing opportunities as tenants without animals, as long as your ESA doesn’t pose safety risks or cause substantial damage.
What Documentation You Need:
Under the Fair Housing Act, landlords can request supporting documentation if you request an ESA accommodation. Your documentation must:
- Come from a licensed healthcare professional (psychiatrist, psychologist, licensed clinical social worker, licensed professional counselor, or other credentialed mental health provider)
- Confirm your disability
- Explain the relationship between your disability and your need for the ESA
- Be on professional letterhead with the provider’s credentials and contact information
Important: Your provider must be licensed to practice in Oregon. Documentation from out-of-state providers who are not licensed in Oregon may not be considered valid.
Oregon Does NOT Require a 30-Day Relationship:
Unlike states like California (AB 468), Montana, Arkansas, Louisiana, Iowa, Florida, and Colorado, Oregon has no state law requiring a minimum 30-day relationship between you and your mental health provider before getting an ESA letter.
What Landlords in Oregon CAN Do:
- Request written verification from your healthcare provider
- Verify your healthcare provider’s credentials
- Request animal vaccination and health records – Landlords can ask for copies of your ESA’s vaccination records, health certificates, and proof the animal is parasite-free to ensure the animal doesn’t pose health risks to other residents.
- Deny your ESA if it poses a direct threat to others
- Deny your ESA if it causes substantial property damage
- Deny if accommodation creates undue financial or administrative burden
- Charge you for any damage your ESA causes – You are fully responsible for any destruction, excessive wear, repairs, or cleaning needed because of your ESA’s behavior. Landlords can deduct these costs from your standard security deposit (charged to everyone) or pursue you for damages through Oregon’s landlord-tenant laws.
- Issue warnings and evictions for problem animals
- Deny if documentation is fraudulent – If landlords discover your ESA documentation is fake, purchased from an online letter mill, or from a provider not licensed in Oregon, they can deny your ESA request and pursue eviction through Oregon’s residential landlord and tenant laws.
- Impose limitations on multiple ESAs based on what is necessary – Under Disability Rights Oregon guidance, housing providers can consider each request for multiple assistance animals on a case-by-case basis and impose limitations based on what is necessary for full use and enjoyment of your unit.
What Landlords in Oregon CANNOT Do:
- Cannot request your detailed medical records
- Cannot request your specific diagnosis
- Cannot charge pet fees, deposits, or monthly pet rent
- Cannot enforce breed restrictions on ESAs
- Cannot enforce size or weight restrictions – If your landlord has a “dogs under 25 pounds only” or “no large dogs” policy, they cannot apply this to your ESA. Size and weight limits that apply to pets don’t apply to emotional support animals.
- Cannot require ESA registration or certification – Landlords cannot require you to register your ESA with any online registry, obtain an ESA certificate, or get your animal “certified” through any program. There is no official government registry for ESAs in Oregon or anywhere in the United States.
- Cannot require your ESA to wear vests, tags, or special identification – Your ESA doesn’t need to wear any special identification, vests, collars, or tags. While these items might help identify your animal, landlords cannot make them a requirement.
- Cannot deny housing solely because you need an ESA
- Cannot require specific forms or charge fees for reasonable accommodation requests
- Cannot treat ESA owners differently than other tenants
- Cannot deny based on other tenants’ allergies or fears
- Cannot retaliate against you for requesting an ESA
- Cannot deny based on “no pets” policies – Even if your landlord has a strict “no pets allowed” policy written into the lease, this policy does not apply to ESAs. Emotional support animals are reasonable accommodations for disabilities, not pets.
Small Landlord Exemption:
Under the Fair Housing Act, certain small housing providers may be exempt from ESA accommodation requirements:
- Owner-occupied buildings with four or fewer rental units
- Single-family homes rented without a real estate broker or agent
If your landlord qualifies for this exemption, they may not be required to follow Fair Housing Act protections for ESAs.
Fair Housing Resources in Oregon:
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
- Phone: (800) 669-9777
- TTY: (800) 927-9275
- Website: hud.gov
- Complaint Deadline: Within one year
- HUD accepts complaints online, by email, by phone, and by mail
Disability Rights Oregon (DRO)
- Website: droregon.org
- Provides resources and information on disability rights including service animal and ESA protections
Fair Housing Council of Oregon
- Website: fhco.org
- Provides education and enforcement of fair housing laws
ESA Travel Laws in Oregon
Air Travel: ESAs No Longer Recognized
As of January 2021, emotional support animals are no longer recognized for air travel under the Air Carrier Access Act. The Department of Transportation changed its rules, and airlines now treat ESAs as regular pets with all associated fees and restrictions.
If you’re flying from Portland International Airport (PDX), Eugene Airport (EUG), Medford-Rogue Valley International Airport, or other Oregon airports, your ESA will need to fly as a pet.
This means your animal must fit in a carrier under the seat in front of you (if small enough and the airline allows cabin pets) or fly in cargo. You’ll pay standard pet fees, which typically range from $95 to $200 each way, and your animal must meet the airline’s size and carrier requirements.
If you have a psychiatric service dog (PSD) rather than an ESA, your rights are different. PSDs qualify as service animals under the Americans with Disabilities Act and can fly in the cabin free of charge. However, you’ll need to complete the airline’s service animal documentation, which typically must be submitted at least 48 hours before your flight.
Ground Transportation:
ESAs have no legal right to accompany you on buses, trains, or other public transportation in Oregon unless the transit system has pet-friendly policies. Service animals are allowed, but ESAs are not service animals under the law and don’t have public access rights on transportation.
This includes:
- TriMet (Portland)
- Lane Transit District (Eugene)
- Salem-Keizer Transit
- Rogue Valley Transportation District (Medford)
- Amtrak Cascades trains
ESA Laws in Public Places in Oregon
No Public Access Rights for ESAs
This is critical to understand: Emotional support animals have ZERO public access rights in Oregon. ESAs are not service dogs, and they cannot accompany you into public places where pets aren’t normally allowed.
Under both Oregon law (ORS 659A.143) and the federal Americans with Disabilities Act, only service dogs have public access rights. Service animals under Oregon law are dogs (or miniature horses in some cases) that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of individuals with disabilities. The work or tasks must be directly related to the person’s disability.
Where Your ESA Cannot Go:
Your ESA cannot accompany you to:
- Restaurants and cafes
- Grocery stores (Fred Meyer, Safeway, Albertsons, Trader Joe’s, New Seasons Market)
- Shopping malls (Washington Square, Clackamas Town Center, Lloyd Center, Bridgeport Village)
- Hotels and resorts unless they’re pet-friendly
- Hospitals and medical facilities (OHSU, Legacy Health, Kaiser Permanente, Providence Health)
- Government buildings (Oregon State Capitol, courthouses, DMV offices)
- Schools and universities (except in your dorm room with proper housing accommodation)
- Movie theaters (Regal, AMC, Cinemark)
- Sports venues (Providence Park, Moda Center, Autzen Stadium, Reser Stadium)
- Museums and attractions (Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, Portland Art Museum, Oregon Zoo)
- State parks and beaches (unless they have pet-friendly policies)
- Any other business or facility where pets aren’t normally allowed
ESA Laws in the Workplace in Oregon
Oregon has no state laws requiring employers to accommodate emotional support animals in the workplace. Workplace accommodations are governed by federal law, specifically the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Rehabilitation Act for federal employers.
The ADA requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities, but this generally does NOT include allowing emotional support animals in the workplace. Employers have much more discretion to deny ESAs in work settings than landlords do in housing situations.
Employers can deny your request to bring your ESA to work without violating disability discrimination laws, even if you have a qualifying disability and a legitimate ESA letter for housing purposes.
Workplace environments are fundamentally different from housing:
- Coworker allergies and fears – Employers must consider the needs of all employees, including those allergic to or afraid of animals
- Safety concerns – Manufacturing, healthcare, food service, and laboratory environments may have legitimate safety reasons to exclude animals
- Space limitations – Cubicles, shared offices, and small workspaces may not accommodate animals
- Client interactions – Customer-facing roles may be incompatible with having animals present
- Disruption to operations – Barking, bathroom needs, or distraction caused by animals can be legitimate concerns
Could Your Employer Allow It?
Some employers may voluntarily allow ESAs as a workplace accommodation, especially in:
- Private offices with minimal coworker interaction
- Remote work situations where you work from home
- Pet-friendly workplaces that already allow animals
- Creative or tech industry environments with flexible policies
Many Oregon employers, particularly in Portland’s tech sector, are moving toward pet-friendly environments. It never hurts to have a conversation with your employer’s HR department about potential accommodations, but understand they have the legal right to say no.
How to Get an ESA Letter in Oregon?
Follow the list below to get an ESA Letter in Oregon. These steps are indicative of how the process could work.
- Consult with a Licensed Professional: To begin the process, individuals must schedule an appointment with a licensed mental health professional (LMHP), or other health care provider qualified to assess emotional and psychological conditions. This professional will determine whether an emotional support animal suits their needs.
- Obtain a Valid ESA Letter: If the LMHP determines that an individual benefits from an emotional support animal, they issue an ESA letter. This letter must be on official letterhead and include specific details, such as the professional’s license information, the diagnosis, and the need for an ESA to help with mental health.
- Ensure the ESA Letter Meets Oregon Laws: Ensure the ESA letter complies with Oregon emotional support animal regulations. These regulations require the letter to be valid, dated, and signed by a licensed professional.
- Submit the ESA Letter to the Landlord or Housing Provider: For housing accommodations, present the ESA letter to the landlord or housing provider to request reasonable accommodations. Under federal and state laws, they must accept the ESA request, barring any exceptional circumstances.
- Stay Updated and Revisit the Process If Necessary: ESA letters need to be renewed periodically. Ensure that the letter is updated to avoid housing or travel accommodations issues.
If an individual prefers a convenient online process, platforms like CertaPet offer Oregon residents the possibility to connect with licensed professionals to get a legitimate Oregon ESA letter.
What are the Advantages of Getting an ESA Letter in Oregon through Certapet?
The advantages of getting an ESA Letter in Oregon through CertaPet are listed below.
- Convenient and Quick Process: CertaPet allows individuals to quickly complete an online assessment, eliminating the need for in-person visits. This makes the process fast and convenient for those living in Oregon, especially if access to local professionals is limited.
- Legally Compliant Letters: CertaPet ensures that all ESA letters comply with Oregon emotional support animal laws. The letters are valid for housing, travel, and other legal purposes and provide individuals with the necessary documentation to receive protection under federal and state law.
- Access to Licensed Professionals: CertaPet connects users with licensed mental health professionals who assess the need for an ESA and provide a legitimate ESA letter. This ensures that the process is professional and credible, following the legal requirements of Oregon and beyond.
- Support for Housing Accommodations: With an ESA letter from CertaPet, individuals confidently request housing accommodations under service animal laws in Oregon. Landlords are legally required to allow ESAs, and CertaPet helps tenants understand their rights, answering the question, “Can a landlord deny an emotional support animal in Oregon?“
- Peace of Mind for Travel and Other Situations: CertaPet’s ESA letters are accepted for air travel, helping individuals navigate travel restrictions for emotional support animals. After completing the necessary legal steps, users travel without worrying about being denied entry or accommodations for their ESA.
- Affordable and Accessible: CertaPet offers a cost-effective solution for obtaining an ESA letter online. Its accessible platform supports individuals across Oregon in their journey to secure an emotional support animal.
What are some of the ESA Registration Myths and Scams in Oregon?
Some of the ESA Registration Myths and Scams in Oregon are listed below.
- ESA Registration is required. It is not a requirement to register an emotional support animal according to federal and Oregon state law. A valid ESA letter is the only documentation necessary to qualify an animal as an ESA. The letter needs to be provided by a health professional who is licensed in the state of Oregon, which states that the ESA is being recognized as part of a patient’s treatment plan.
- Consultation with a licensed professional is not necessary. Many websites offer ESA certification services online that are accompanied by official-looking badges, certificates, or ID cards. The documents look official but do not have any legal significance since they are often given without a prior consultation with a licensed mental health professional (LMHP). An LMHP consult is a prerequisite to getting a valid ESA letter.
- Be Cautious of False Promises. Scammers often guarantee instant approvals or low-cost certifications. Remember, an official ESA letter requires a thorough evaluation by an LMHP, not a quick registration.
How to Qualify for an Emotional Support Animal in Oregon?
To qualify for an ESA, you will need to meet certain criteria that will lead to the issuance of an ESA letter. The steps to qualify are listed below:
- Diagnosis of a Mental Health Condition. To qualify for a comfort animal, therefore, a licensed mental health professional must first determine that an individual has a mental disability or mental illness as classified by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).
- Consultation with a Licensed Health Professional. After an evaluation with a professional, they will consider if an ESA is the best fit for a patient’s therapeutic treatment plan. If the applicant is a good candidate, the health provider will issue an ESA letter.
What Conditions Permit an ESA Letter?
Some of the most common conditions that allow individuals to receive an ESA letter are listed below.
- Anxiety disorders (e.g. Social Anxiety)
- Neurodevelopmental disorders (e.g. Autism, ADHD),
- Bipolar disorders
- Depressive disorders
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Social phobias
Should ESA Letters from Oregon be Renewed Annually?
Yes, ESA letters from Oregon should be renewed annually. ESA letters used for housing have a longer expiration date and typically do not need to be renewed when the tenant has not moved within a year unless stated otherwise. Some landlords and airlines specifically require an ESA letter that is less than a year old in which case the person is required to comply.
What are the Specific Oregon ESA Laws?
The Specific Emotional Support Animal Laws
- Oregon ESA Housing Laws: Under the Fair Housing Act (FHA), landlords in Oregon must provide reasonable accommodations for tenants with ESAs, even in housing with strict “no pets” policies. While the ESA is not considered a pet, proper documentation, such as an ESA letter, is essential to qualify for this protection under Oregon emotional support animal laws.
- Oregon ESA Employment Laws: Unlike service animals, ESAs are not covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for workplace accommodations. Therefore, employers in Oregon are not legally required to allow ESAs in the workplace. However, some employers offer accommodations voluntarily.
- Oregon ESA Laws for Public Places: Under the ADA, which applies in Oregon, ESAs are not granted access to public places like restaurants, stores, or parks. These spaces are only accessible to service animals trained to perform specific tasks.
- Oregon ESA Travel Laws: Although airlines once accommodated ESAs under the Air Carrier Access Act, recent changes now classify them as pets for air travel. Oregon’s strict quarantine laws further require ESAs to meet health and vaccination requirements before entry into the state, as mandated by emotional support animal Oregon law.
Is there a Limit to the Number of ESAs a Person can have in Oregon?
No, there is no limit to the number of ESAs a person can have in Oregon. Technically, one can have multiple emotional support animals in Oregon, within reasonable request. The law does not limit the number of emotional support animals one can have, provided that they are properly documented. It is only within the LMHP’s clinical evaluation that an individual is allowed to have multiple ESAs. Each animal must be specifically mentioned within the ESA letter and how they are necessary for providing therapeutic benefits for the individual. Having an undocumented ESA is considered illegal and is subject to hefty legal fees.
Leave a Reply