Michigan ESA laws
Michigan does not have a separate emotional support animal statute, so an ESA request to a landlord in Detroit, Grand Rapids or Ann Arbor is a reasonable accommodation request under the federal Fair Housing Act. The Michigan Department of Civil Rights runs a fair housing program and accepts discrimination complaints online or by phone, which gives renters a state-level option alongside HUD.
- The Michigan Department of Civil Rights takes fair housing complaints through its online portal or at 1-800-482-3604.
- MDCR says that being required by a landlord to get a service animal ID or put an animal on a list is itself something you can report.
- An emotional support animal is not a service animal under Michigan's public-access laws, so the letter matters for housing, not for stores or restaurants.
- If your landlord asks for documentation, a letter from a licensed clinician describing your need for the animal is the usual starting point.
Your Michigan 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 Michigan.
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.
Get your signed letter
If the clinician approves, your letter is emailed to you as a PDF with their license details. If not, you are not charged.
Share it with your housing provider
Send the letter with a short reasonable accommodation request. Keep copies of everything you send and receive.
Michigan 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.
What an ESA letter covers
Rentals and other housing
A letter supports a reasonable accommodation request, so a housing provider considers an exception to no-pet rules or pet fees for your animal.
Not flights or stores
Airlines treat emotional support animals as pets, and stores or restaurants do not have to admit them. Only trained service dogs have those rights.
Any common species
Dogs and cats are most common, but the letter is about your need for the animal, not its breed or training.
Reasonable limits apply
A provider can still refuse an animal that poses a direct threat or causes serious damage.
What to do if a landlord in Michigan denies your ESA
Ask the housing provider to put the refusal and its reason in writing. You can then contact the Michigan Department of Civil Rights or file a complaint with HUD. Many renters settle the issue at this stage simply by asking for a written decision.
Have a dog trained to do specific tasks for a psychiatric condition? See the Michigan psychiatric service dog letter.