How ESA Letters Work in Arizona
The federal Fair Housing Act applies in every Arizona city and town. It lets a person with a mental health condition ask their housing provider to make room for an emotional support animal, even where pets are not allowed.
Your letter must come from a mental health provider licensed in Arizona. We connect you with one. They listen to what you are going through and how your animal helps. If an ESA is part of the right care for you, they write your letter.
HOA Country
Drive through Gilbert, Chandler, Mesa, Surprise or Peoria and you will see HOA communities everywhere. Many have rules on how many pets you can have, how big they can be, or which breeds are allowed.
The Fair Housing Act covers HOAs, not just landlords. A valid ESA letter lets you ask the HOA to make an exception for your animal. Breed and weight limits do not apply to an approved emotional support animal.
Apartments in the Valley and Tucson
Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe and Tucson have thousands of apartment units, and many charge a pet deposit and monthly pet rent. Some ban larger dogs. With an approved ESA, those fees and limits do not apply. You are still responsible for any damage, like any other tenant.
Long Summers Indoors
From June to September, Arizona heat keeps a lot of people inside. Long stretches at home can make anxiety and low mood worse. For many people, a calm animal at home is a big part of getting through it. If that is you, an ESA letter may be worth a conversation with a provider.
Students in Tempe, Tucson and Flagstaff
Students at Arizona State, the University of Arizona and Northern Arizona University often live with roommates or in student apartments for the first time. New stress, new people and new routines can hit hard. Many college housing options are covered by fair housing rules too. Ask your housing office how they handle ESA requests.
Military Families
Families connected to Luke Air Force Base in the West Valley and Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson move often. Each move means a new lease and a new set of pet rules. A letter from an Arizona-licensed provider helps you make your request at each new home in the state.
What an Arizona Landlord or HOA Can Still Ask
- To see your letter, if your need is not obvious.
- That your animal behaves and does not put others at risk.
- That you pay for any damage.
They cannot ask for your diagnosis or your medical records.
Getting Started in Arizona
Start with the form on this page. It asks about you, your pet and how you have been feeling. An Arizona-licensed provider reviews your answers and talks with you. You can do all of it from home, which helps when it is 110 degrees outside.
Once you have your letter, send it to your property manager or your HOA board and keep a copy for your records. If they have questions, ask them to put them in writing.
Price
The evaluation is $150, and each extra pet is $100. Your letter is usually ready within one business day after your evaluation. See our Good Faith Estimate.
Arizona ESA Letter Questions
Does my HOA in Arizona have to accept my ESA letter?
HOAs are covered by the Fair Housing Act. A valid letter lets you ask them to make an exception to pet rules for your emotional support animal.
My Phoenix apartment has a weight limit. Does it apply to my ESA?
No. Breed, size and weight limits do not apply to an approved emotional support animal. The landlord can still act if a specific animal is a danger or causes major damage.
Do I need an Arizona-licensed provider?
Yes. Your letter should come from a mental health provider licensed in Arizona. We match you with one.
Can I use my letter at ASU or U of A housing?
Many college housing options follow fair housing rules. Ask your housing office how they handle ESA requests, and give them your letter.