Service Animals vs Emotional Support Animals vs Pets

Not all animals are treated the same under housing laws. Service animals and emotional support animals (ESAs) may qualify as assistance animals under fair housing laws and are treated differently from pets.

Assistance animals are not considered pets. Different rules therefore apply to fees, deposits, documentation, and other pet-related restrictions.

Understanding the difference protects your rights if you have a disability and helps avoid confusion about fees, approvals, documentation, and responsibility for damage.

1. Service Animal

   1. A dog (or, in some circumstances, a miniature horse) individually trained to perform specific tasks for a person with a disability, such as guiding, alerting, or retrieving items.

   2. Service animals are not considered pets.

2. Emotional Support Animal (ESA)

   1. An animal that provides emotional or therapeutic support related to a disability, but is not necessarily trained to perform a specific task.

   2. For housing purposes, an ESA may qualify as an assistance animal even though it does not meet the definition of a service animal used in other settings.

3. Pet

   1. An animal kept primarily for companionship that does not qualify as an assistance animal.

   2. Pets are subject to our Pet Policy, including approvals, limits, deposits, fees, and pet rent.

We handle service animals and qualifying ESAs as reasonable accommodations under fair housing laws, not under our normal pet policy.

• We do not charge pet rent, pet fees, or an additional pet or animal deposit for an approved assistance animal.

• When legally permitted, we may request reliable information or documentation regarding a disability-related need for an assistance animal. We use ⁠PetScreening.com to help process these requests.

• Pet restrictions such as breed, size, or weight limits generally do not apply to an approved assistance animal.

• Assistance animals must remain under control and comply with reasonable behavior, sanitation, and property rules.

Having an approved assistance animal does not relieve a resident of responsibility for damage the animal causes.

We do not charge an additional deposit because a resident has an assistance animal. However, residents remain responsible for the actual cost of repairing damage caused by their assistance animal, just as they are responsible for other damage beyond ordinary wear and tear.

When permitted by law, we may charge these costs to the resident or deduct them from the resident’s standard security deposit.

For additional information, see the ⁠Fair Housing Council of Oregon’s guidance on assistance animals and ⁠HUD’s guidance on assistance animals.

Pets are subject to our Pet Policy, which covers:

• Allowed species and breeds,

• Limits on the number or size, and

• Any pet deposits, fees, or pet rent.

Unauthorized pets or animals that do not qualify as assistance animals may result in lease violations and applicable charges.

1. Let us know that you are requesting an accommodation for an assistance animal.

2. If additional information is legally permitted and necessary, we will let you know what is needed.

3. Submit any requested forms through PetScreening.com or as otherwise directed.

4. Keep the animal under control, clean up after it, and take reasonable steps to prevent damage or disturbance.

Reach out and let us know your situation. We’ll explain the process, what information we may legally request, and how we evaluate requests for reasonable accommodation.

• Pet Policy – Rules and fees for pets that are not service animals or ESAs.

• General Rules – Expectations for behavior, noise, and community standards.

• How We Handle Your Security Deposit – How damage from animals may affect your deposit.

• Caring for Your Unit – Tips to prevent pet- or animal-related damage.