Insight

Emotional Support Animals and Requirements for Your Community

For many years, service animals and emotional support animals (ESAs) have been the subject of controversies and disputes between unit owners and community associations. Under the Federal Fair Housing Act, as amended, and guidelines promulgated by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”), community associations have been required to make reasonable accommodations for service animals

Steven L. Sugarman

Steven L. Sugarman

March 19, 2024 10:21 AM

For many years, service animals and emotional support animals (“ESAs”) have been the subject of controversies and disputes between unit owners and community associations. Under the Federal Fair Housing Act, as amended, and guidelines promulgated by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”), community associations have been required to make reasonable accommodations for service animals and ESAs provided that certain criteria are satisfied.

Now, in its FHEO Notice: FHEO-2020-01 issued in January of 2020, HUD draws a distinction between animals commonly kept in households (i.e., dogs, cats, small birds, rabbits, hamsters, gerbils, other rodents, fish, and turtles) and “unique” animals (reptiles other than turtles, barnyard animals, monkeys, kangaroos, and other non-domesticated animals). HUD notes that animals commonly kept in households serve a pleasure purpose, not a commercial purpose.

Steven L. Sugarman, Community Association Law

Under HUD’s guidelines, if an ESA is an animal commonly kept in a household, a reasonable accommodation should be granted as long as information that confirms the disability‐related need for the particular ESA has been provided to a community association. However, if an ESA is a “unique” animal, the requesting party has the substantial burden of demonstrating the disability-related need for the particular ESA. HUD encourages requesting parties to gather reliable documentation from a health care professional, confirming the disability‐related need for the particular ESA, because a lack of reliable documentation may constitute grounds for a community association to deny a requested accommodation.

Reliable documentation from a health care professional should include the date of the last consultation with the patient; any unique circumstances justifying the patient’s need for the particular ESA (if already owned) or a type of ESA; and whether the health care professional has information about the particular ESA, or whether the health care professional specifically recommends a type of ESA.

In summary, it is not so much the uniqueness of an animal that is dispositive; rather, it is how well the requesting party is able to document and demonstrate the circumstances justifying the need for a unique emotional support animal. As a general rule, reasonable accommodations may be necessary when:

  1. A unique ESA is individually trained to take a specific action or perform a specific task that cannot be performed by a dog
  2. Information from a health care professional confirms that allergies prevent the requesting party from using a dog, or, without a unique ESA, the symptoms or effects of the requesting party’s disability will be significantly increased
  3. The requesting party seeks to keep a unique ESA outdoors at a house with a fenced yard, where the unique ESA can be appropriately maintained

However, HUD makes it clear that a community association may deny a requested accommodation if a unique ESA poses a direct threat that cannot be eliminated or reduced to an acceptable level through actions taken to maintain or control the unique ESA, such as keeping the unique ESA in a secure enclosure. As can be seen, determining whether a reasonable accommodation should be granted will be greatly dependent upon the specific facts and evidence adduced by the parties. As of now, there is a paucity of cases decided nationwide under HUD’s relatively new Notice, but that is likely to change.

Steven L. Sugarman is a partner at Gawthrop Greenwood, PC and a nationally recognized community association law attorney who has played a critical role in establishing statutory and decisional law governing Pennsylvania’s common interest communities (CICs). As the chair and active member of the Community Association Institute’s (CAI) Legislative Action Committee for many years, Sugarman drafted and advocated for key amendments to Pennsylvania’s statutes as community associations have evolved into the fastest-growing form of housing. He also serves as an expert witness on community association matters brought before Pennsylvania’s courts and General Assembly. A member of the prestigious College of Community Association Lawyers since 2000 and a past president of CAI’s regional chapter, Sugarman developed and teaches one of the few law school courses nationwide on condominium and homeowner association law as an adjunct professor at the Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law. He is a frequent lecturer at the local and national levels on real estate and community association matters. For more information, contact Steve at ssugarman@gawthrop.com or 610-889-0700.

Trending Articles

Introducing the 2026 Best Lawyers Awards in Australia, Japan, New Zealand and Singapore


by Jennifer Verta

This year’s awards reflect the strength of the Best Lawyers network and its role in elevating legal talent worldwide.

2026 Best Lawyers Awards in Australia, Japan, New Zealand and Singapore

Revealing the 2026 Best Lawyers Awards in Germany, France, Switzerland and Austria


by Jamilla Tabbara

These honors underscore the reach of the Best Lawyers network and its focus on top legal talent.

map of Germany, France, Switzerland and Austria

Effective Communication: A Conversation with Jefferson Fisher


by Jamilla Tabbara

The power of effective communication beyond the law.

 Image of Jefferson Fisher and Phillip Greer engaged in a conversation about effective communication

The 2025 Legal Outlook Survey Results Are In


by Jennifer Verta

Discover what Best Lawyers honorees see ahead for the legal industry.

Person standing at a crossroads with multiple intersecting paths and a signpost.

The Best Lawyers Network: Global Recognition with Long-term Value


by Jamilla Tabbara

Learn how Best Lawyers' peer-review process helps recognized lawyers attract more clients and referral opportunities.

Lawyers networking

Jefferson Fisher: The Secrets to Influential Legal Marketing


by Jennifer Verta

How lawyers can apply Jefferson Fisher’s communication and marketing strategies to build trust, attract clients and grow their practice.

Portrait of Jefferson Fisher a legal marketing expert

Is Your Law Firm’s Website Driving Clients Away?


by Jamilla Tabbara

Identify key website issues that may be affecting client engagement and retention.

Phone displaying 'This site cannot be reached' message

A Guide to Workers' Compensation Law for 2025 and Beyond


by Bryan Driscoll

A woman with a laptop screen reflected in her glasses

Medical Malpractice Reform Trends in Texas, Utah, Georgia and SC


by Bryan Driscoll

A fresh wave of medical malpractice reform is reshaping the law.

Medical Malpractice Reform Trends hed

Why Jack Dorsey and Elon Musk Want to 'Delete All IP Law'


by Bryan Driscoll

This Isn’t Just a Debate Over How to Pay Creators. It’s a Direct Challenge to Legal Infrastructure.

Elon Musk and Jack Dorsey standing together Infront of the X logo

Best Lawyers Launches CMO Advisory Board


by Jamilla Tabbara

Strategic counsel from legal marketing’s most experienced voices.

Group photo of Best Lawyers CMO Advisory Board members

Changes in California Employment Law for 2025


by Laurie Villanueva

What employers need to know to ensure compliance in the coming year and beyond

A pair of hands holding a checklist featuring a generic profile picture and the state of California

Common Law Firm Landing Page Problems to Address


by Jamilla Tabbara

Identify key issues on law firm landing pages to improve client engagement and conversion.

Laptop showing law firm landing page analytics

New Employment Law Recognizes Extraordinary Stress Is Everyday Reality for NY Lawyers


by Bryan Driscoll

A stressed woman has her head resting on her hands above a laptop

Best Lawyers Introduces Smithy AI


by Jamilla Tabbara

Transforming legal content creation for attorneys and firms.

Start using Smithy AI, a content tool by Best Lawyers

How to Create High-Converting Landing Pages for Your Law Firm


by Jamilla Tabbara

Learn how to create high-converting law firm landing pages that drive client engagement and lead generation.

Laptop screen displaying website tools to improve client conversion rates