Renting with an ESA in Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh's hills hold a lot of brick rowhouses and narrow two-story houses split into apartments, many with steep steps and tiny yards. Student rentals in Oakland, near Pitt and Carnegie Mellon, are often managed by companies used to strict no-pet leases. In Lawrenceville and Bloomfield, owners are more often individuals who'll want to meet your animal. The Pittsburgh Commission on Human Relations investigates housing discrimination and offers a local alternative to state or federal agencies.
Neighborhoods we often hear from
- Lawrenceville
- Bloomfield
- Oakland
- Squirrel Hill
- Shadyside
- South Side Flats
Local help: Pittsburgh Commission on Human Relations
Pennsylvania ESA laws for Pittsburgh renters
Pennsylvania treats an emotional support animal as a housing accommodation under the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act and the federal Fair Housing Act. Act 118 of 2018 added state penalties for lying about the need for an assistance animal in housing. The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission enforces these rights and publishes guidance on assistance, emotional support and service animals.
- Under Act 118, knowingly misrepresenting a disability or a disability-related need for an assistance animal in housing is a third-degree misdemeanor.
- Creating or handing over a document that falsely presents an animal as an assistance or service animal is a summary offense, with a fine of up to $1,000.
- The Commission opened public comment on updated animal guidance on October 1, 2026, running through November 15, 2026, so its verification guidance may change.
Source: PHRC: Assistance, Emotional Support, and Service Animal Guidance
Your Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh.
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.
Pittsburgh 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.