The Landlord's Guide to Emotional Support Animal Laws in Orlando

While tourists travel to Orlando for the thrill of roller coasters and fireworks, not all of the city’s residents find comfort in the Magic Kingdom. An increasing number of locals are relying on emotional support animals (ESAs) just to get through the day. ESA requests have jumped by more than 50% over the past five years, with Florida and California reporting more requests than any other state.

As emotional support animals in Orlando become more common, landlords are finding themselves caught between compliance and compassion. What seems like a simple pet request can quickly turn into a legal matter, especially when a valid request is denied. 

This guide breaks down the emotional support animal laws in Orlando, from what counts as an ESA to the documents you’re allowed to ask for. With this information, you’ll be able to safeguard your rental business while honoring your tenants’ rights. 

What Is an Emotional Support Animal?

Under the law, an emotional support animal is any domesticated animal that provides comfort to someone living with a mental or emotional disorder. They’re different from service animals, which must be trained to perform a specific task for someone with a disability. ESAs may not do anything specific, but their presence alone can bring a lot of relief to a tenant struggling with anxiety, depression, PTSD, or another condition. 

Emotional support animals in Orlando can be any species that’s commonly kept in the home. While most people think of dogs or cats, the law doesn’t exclude other animals like birds, ferrets, guinea pigs, and even fish. ESAs are often recommended by mental health professionals as part of a larger treatment plan, and their benefits are well-documented.

In Orange County, Orlando’s most populous, nearly 60% of residents say they don’t have access to the mental health care they need. For many tenants, emotional support animals provide much-needed comfort when professional care is out of reach. 

Studies have shown that interacting with an ESA for just 10 minutes can lower stress hormones like cortisol, reduce blood pressure, and increase oxytocin (the hormone responsible for emotional bonding). Beyond that, ESAs can encourage people to stick with a daily routine, exercise more often, and feel more confident in social situations. 

The emotional support animal laws in Orlando are meant to protect renters who rely on these animals. For many tenants, ESAs are not a convenience or luxury, but a medical necessity. Understanding that is essential for landlords hoping to handle ESA requests with empathy, care, and consistency. 

Distinguishing Emotional Support Animals from Service Animals and Pets

The emotional support animal laws in Orlando draw clear lines between pets, service animals, and ESAs. Knowing the differences between the three is important because your responsibilities will change depending on the type of animal your tenant has. Here’s what separates them:

• Pets are not legally protected and can be any type of animal. You’re free to charge pet rent, pet deposits, set breed and weight restrictions, or prohibit them altogether. 

• Service animals are highly trained animals covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). They’re usually dogs, but can also be miniature ponies in some cases. These animals assist people with physical or psychiatric disabilities, performing tasks like pulling a wheelchair, alerting someone who’s deaf to the doorbell ringing, or reminding someone to take their medications. They must be allowed in public spaces, including housing, regardless of no-pet policies. 

• Emotional support animals, while not covered under the ADA, are protected under the Fair Housing Act (FHA). That means you’ll need to accommodate them in your rental property, even if you have a strict no-pet policy, so long as the tenant provides valid documentation from a licensed provider. ESAs may not be allowed in public spaces like service animals are, but they do have more protections than an everyday pet. 

While emotional support animals in Orlando are not trained to do specific tasks, that doesn’t make them any less valuable. These animals are considered a form of disability accommodation, making them legally necessary. It’s important not to treat them the same as you would a regular pet to avoid breaking the law. 

Legal Protections for Emotional Support Animals in Orlando

Emotional support animals in Orlando are protected by a combination of federal and state laws. The two most important statutes are the federal Fair Housing Act (FHA) and Florida Statute 760.27, which extends those protections statewide. Together, these laws give tenants the right to request an emotional support animal if they have a documented disability-related need for one.

Under the FHA, landlords may not deny housing or impose special rules simply because a tenant relies on an ESA. Once a tenant provides the proper documentation, landlords are required to make a reasonable accommodation. That means:

• Allowing the ESA even if your property doesn’t allow pets
• Waiving pet-related fees or deposits
• Permitting qualified ESAs regardless of breed, size, or weight
• Accepting the request even if it’s made after the lease has already started

Keep in mind that while you can’t charge tenants fees for having emotional support animals in Orlando, you can charge them if their animal causes property damage. The tenant is also responsible for cleaning up after their ESA and ensuring that it’s not disturbing other residents. 

How to Validate Emotional Support Animals in Orlando

Landlords in Orlando are allowed to request documentation that verifies a tenant’s need for an emotional support animal, but there are limits. You cannot ask about the tenant’s diagnosis, medical history, or the severity of their condition. What you can ask for is a letter from a licensed health care provider confirming that the tenant has a disability and that the ESA is necessary to help manage it.

Under Florida Senate Bill 1084, passed in 2020, the letter must come from a licensed healthcare provider, such as a therapist, psychiatrist, LCSW, or general practitioner who has “personal knowledge” of the tenant’s condition. In most cases, this means they’ve had an ongoing therapeutic relationship with the tenant. 

If the provider is based out of state, they must have seen the tenant in person at least once, even if care is now provided via telehealth. Landlords may verify the provider’s credentials through a state licensing board, but cannot request additional personal health information. If a tenant requests multiple emotional support animals in Orlando, landlords may ask for documentation explaining the specific need for each one, along with proof of vaccination. 

Both HUD and Florida law caution against accepting certificates or ESA letters from online-only services that charge fees. These are usually unreliable, especially if there’s no evidence of an actual provider-patient relationship. If the paperwork seems off, you’re allowed to follow up with the tenant to determine that the letter is legitimate. However, be careful not to ask any questions outside of what the law allows, and know that the tenant may have fallen prey to a scam.  

Submitting fraudulent ESA documents is a misdemeanor in Florida, punishable by fines and 30 hours of mandatory community service for an organization that helps people with disabilities. This applies both to tenants and health care providers who falsify claims. 

Emotional Support Animal Housing Letter Checklist

According to the emotional support animal laws in Orlando, a valid ESA letter should include:

• The provider’s official letterhead
• A statement that the tenant has a disability found in the DSM-5
• An explanation that the ESA helps alleviate one or more symptoms
• The provider’s name, license number, and contact information
• Confirmation of in-person evaluation (if out-of-state)
• Signature and date (within the past year)

Following these steps helps ensure compliance with the emotional support animal laws in Orlando while protecting your property from potential abuse of the system.

Can Landlords Deny Emotional Support Animals in Orlando?

In most cases, emotional support animals in Orlando must be accepted as part of a tenant’s right to reasonable accommodation. If the tenant provides proper documentation and the animal meets legal standards, landlords are generally required to approve the request. However, there are specific circumstances where a denial may be legally justified, but it’s important to proceed with caution when considering that option.

When Can a Landlord Legally Reject an ESA?

Landlords may reject emotional support animals in Orlando under certain conditions, including:

• The tenant fails to provide valid documentation from a provider who meets FL’s legal requirements 
• The animal poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others that cannot be reduced through other means
• The animal would cause substantial property damage or has a history of dangerous or disruptive behavior
• The request would place an undue financial or administrative burden on the housing provider or fundamentally alter the nature of the business
• The tenant is requesting an animal that is not considered a household pet, such as a wild, exotic, or farm animal
• The documentation appears fraudulent, or there is no evidence of a legitimate provider-patient relationship
• The animal is not housebroken 

Florida Senate Bill 1084 also makes it clear that housing providers cannot deny emotional support animals in Orlando simply because the tenant did not use a specific form or follow a company-created process. As long as the documentation meets legal criteria, the format cannot be used as a reason for denial.

In addition to these exceptions, some landlords may be exempt from the Fair Housing Act entirely. You won’t be required to accommodate emotional support animals in Orlando if you fall under one of these categories:

1. Private landlords renting out three or fewer single-family homes without a broker
2. Housing run by religious groups or private clubs that limit residency to its members 
3. Owner-occupied buildings with four or fewer rental units
4. Senior housing communities (55+)

If one of these exemptions applies to you, it’s still a good idea to communicate that openly with your tenant and document everything in detail. Denials must always be based on objective evidence, not personal preferences or past experiences with animals. 

Should a tenant believe their ESA request has been unfairly denied, they can file a formal complaint with the Florida Commission on Human Relations or the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). These agencies have the authority to investigate claims and may impose fines or take legal action if they determine that a violation occurred.

Closing Thoughts on Emotional Support Animals in Orlando

Understanding the emotional support animal laws in Orlando isn’t always easy, but it’s what will save you time, stress, and potential legal trouble. These laws were written to protect both sides, and when followed correctly, they do just that. By knowing what qualifies as a valid ESA, what documentation you can legally request, and when a rejection is justified, you can avoid mistakes and create a more inclusive rental environment. 

If you’re still feeling uncertain about how to handle ESA requests, consider working with a property management company like Evernest. Our Orlando team stays up to date on federal and state ESA laws and can help you manage everything from screening to documentation. With our support, you’ll never have to guess whether you’re making the right decision. Contact us today to learn how we can protect your property while ensuring you stay compliant with the emotional support animal laws in Orlando.