Renting with an ESA in San Francisco
San Francisco is full of Edwardian flats divided into units, many under rent control, held by tenants who keep the same lease for a decade or more. That longevity cuts both ways: owners sometimes treat a new animal as a lease change worth contesting, and tenants have a lot to lose in a dispute. Large newer buildings in SoMa and Mission Bay have formal processes but can be exacting about paperwork. Remember the state's 30-day relationship requirement, and know that the city's Human Rights Commission accepts housing complaints.
Neighborhoods we often hear from
- Mission District
- Inner Sunset
- SoMa
- Richmond District
- Bernal Heights
- Lower Haight
Local help: San Francisco Human Rights Commission
California ESA laws for San Francisco renters
California is strict about who can write an emotional support dog letter and when. AB 468, now Health and Safety Code 122318, requires a 30-day client relationship and a clinical evaluation before the letter is issued, so we give you a same-day letter of intent and the final letter once 30 days have passed. State fair housing law, enforced by the Civil Rights Department, still protects ESAs in rentals.
- The clinician must hold an active license where you are located and list its number, type, jurisdiction and effective date on the letter.
- You must also be told, verbally or in writing, that falsely claiming a dog is a guide, signal or service dog is a misdemeanor under Penal Code 365.7.
- The Civil Rights Department says landlords cannot charge pet rent or deposits for an ESA, or apply breed, size or weight limits to it.
Source: California Board of Psychology: AB 468 emotional support dog rules
Your San Francisco ESA letter, step by step
Book a time
Pick a phone or video slot online and answer a short questionnaire about how you are feeling and the animal you live with in San Francisco.
Talk with a licensed clinician
A licensed clinician spends about 5–10 minutes with you and decides whether an emotional support animal is part of your care.
Receive a letter of intent
California law calls for a 30-day client–provider relationship before an ESA letter. If you qualify, you get a same-day letter of intent, and the clinician follows up before the final letter.
Final letter after 30 days
Once the 30 days have passed and the clinician completes the follow-up, your signed ESA letter is issued for your landlord.
San Francisco ESA letter cost
| Letter | Covers | Price |
|---|---|---|
| ESA letter | Up to 2 animals | $129 |
| ESA letter | 3 or more animals | $199 |
Booking is free and you're charged only if your letter is approved. In California, AB 468 calls for a 30-day client–provider relationship before an ESA letter is issued, so you receive a same-day letter of intent and the final letter after 30 days.