Emotional support animals continue to rise in popularity across the United States, especially in states like California. In fact, California had such a meteoric rise in ESA letter requests that the state had to create new laws for how emotional support animals are handled in the state.
For this reason, you need to fully understand the ESA laws outlined by the Fair Housing Act (FHA), along with the state’s more unique laws. What’s more, it’s important to understand what an ESA letter (California) is and how to acquire one.
The good news? We have your back with this comprehensive guide. Read on to learn everything you need to know and more.
What Is an Emotional Support Animal?
Emotional support animals are some of the most important animals around. They provide support for people who have mental health disorders and can help relieve symptoms of anxiety, depression, loneliness, and a wide variety of other mental health disorders.
The best part about an emotional support animal (ESA) is that you don’t have to adhere to restrictions outlined in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for service animals. In other words, you can have an ESA cat, dog, bird, or any other pet that brings you comfort.
That said, for an emotional support animal to be legally protected under the Fair Housing Act (FHA), you need an ESA letter.
What Is an ESA Letter California?
An ESA letter in California is a letter for emotional support animals in the state of California. This letter needs to include information about your mental health condition, your pet, and information about the licensed mental health professional (LMHP) who prescribed the letter.
On the letter, you’ll also need to have a signature from the LMHP, details about their license, and information about how an ESA helps your situation. This letter is required by law, or else your ESA is not protected under the Fair Housing Act.
Who Qualifies for an ESA Letter in California?
When it comes to who qualifies for an ESA letter in California, it typically comes down to the disabilities that someone has. Common disabilities that qualify for an ESA include PTSD, anxiety, depression, loneliness, and even chronic stress. That said, whether or not you qualify comes down to input from a licensed mental health professional.
How to Get an ESA Letter California
Getting an ESA letter in California has never been easier. It all comes down to having a relationship with a licensed mental health professional (LMHP) for at least 30 days. Now, how you achieve this is completely up to you.
One of the first things you can do is build a relationship with an LMHP you want to work with for therapy and other mental health treatment. If they’re covered by your insurance provider, you can’t go wrong with this option. That said, if they’re not covered by insurance, this method can be expensive.
In these cases, you’ll want to consider online resources. Plenty of websites are available, so it’s important to choose the right one. For the best results, focus on websites that connect you with an LMHP in California via telehealth. Also, if they try to rush the process or get you the letter before it’s been 30 days, that’s a red flag.
ESA Letter Exceptions in California
An ESA letter in California is a solid way to ensure that you don’t have to worry about paying pet fees or having to worry about emotional support animals being removed from your property. However, it’s important to note that there are some exceptions to these rules.
You’ll find that landlords can charge fees for an ESA or even have you evicted in the following situations:
- Your ESA damages property.
- Your ESA harms someone.
- Emotional support animals don’t have an ESA letter associated with them in California.
- ESAs are making loud noises or causing other issues.
In these cases, the bad news is that ESAs start to lose their protections.
ESA Letter California: Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, ESA letters in California are handled a little differently. While you need to be familiar with common ESA laws, you also need to understand laws unique to California, like the fact that an LMHP needs to have a professional relationship with you for at least 30 days before prescribing the letter. It also helps to understand exceptions to ESA laws and how to get an ESA letter in the state.
Thankfully, we’ve covered everything you need to know to fully understand an ESA letter (California).
Pet Travel & Safety Consultant
Jimmy Dixoneser is the go-to expert on pet travel and safety at Pet Paw Shack. He provides valuable guidance on how to ensure pets are safe, comfortable, and stress-free when traveling. From creating checklists for pet-friendly vacations to advising on the best travel gear, Jimmy’s expertise helps pet owners confidently navigate adventures with their pets, whether on the road or in the air.
