Renting with an ESA in St. Paul
St. Paul renters live in a lot of older housing: duplexes and triplexes along tree-lined streets, brick walk-ups near Grand Avenue and a growing number of new apartment buildings along Green Line stops on University Avenue. Winters matter for pet owners, and some older buildings have tight rules about where animals can go in shared halls and laundry rooms. The city's Department of Human Rights and Equal Economic Opportunity investigates discrimination, including housing, so renters have a local channel beyond the state.
Neighborhoods we often hear from
- Summit-University
- Highland Park
- Macalester-Groveland
- Frogtown
- Como
- Lowertown
Local help: City of Saint Paul Department of Human Rights & Equal Economic Opportunity
Minnesota ESA laws for St. Paul renters
Minnesota has no law aimed only at emotional support animals. The Minnesota Human Rights Act, enforced by the Department of Human Rights, bars disability discrimination in renting and selling property, and the federal Fair Housing Act supplies the reasonable accommodation rule that covers ESAs. Twin Cities apartment managers generally expect a short letter from a licensed provider when the need is not obvious.
- Minn. Stat. 363A.09 prohibits refusing to rent, or changing a lease's terms, because of a tenant's disability.
- The Minnesota Department of Human Rights gives you one year from the incident to report housing discrimination, which is longer than many states allow.
- Minnesota's misrepresentation law, section 609.833, targets fake service animals in public places and does not mention housing or ESAs.
Your St. Paul 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 St. Paul.
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.
St. Paul 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.