Renting with an ESA in Charleston
Charleston rentals range from single houses on the peninsula, one room wide with long side porches and often split into upstairs and downstairs units, to new apartment complexes on Daniel Island and in West Ashley. Many peninsula properties are owned by people who also rent short term, and some buildings have strict rules because of historic preservation or tight lot lines. College of Charleston and MUSC fill nearby units with students and medical staff. Flood zones are a real factor here too, so think about where your animal would go during a storm before you sign.
Neighborhoods we often hear from
- Cannonborough
- Elliotborough
- Wagener Terrace
- West Ashley
- Daniel Island
- Harleston Village
South Carolina ESA laws for Charleston renters
South Carolina addresses emotional support animals directly in its own fair housing law. A 2019 amendment, S.C. Code Section 31-21-70(N), sets out what a landlord may ask when you request a non-service animal as an accommodation and what documentation is enough to back up the request. The federal Fair Housing Act applies as well.
- A landlord may ask two things: whether you have a disability that substantially limits a major life activity, and whether you have a disability-related need for the animal.
- Documentation is sufficient under the statute if it shows you have a disability and that the animal provides disability-related assistance or emotional support.
- Fair housing complaints go to the South Carolina Human Affairs Commission and must be filed within 180 days of the discriminatory act.
Your Charleston 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 Charleston.
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.
Charleston 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.