Renting with an ESA in Sioux Falls
Steady growth has pushed new apartment complexes onto the south and west edges of Sioux Falls, while older neighborhoods like Pettigrew Heights and the Cathedral district keep a stock of houses split into units. Students at Augustana and the University of Sioux Falls add demand near those campuses. New complexes typically list pet fees and breed limits, which do not apply to an approved emotional support animal. The city's Human Relations Office investigates housing discrimination under local law.
Neighborhoods we often hear from
- Downtown
- Cathedral Historic District
- Pettigrew Heights
- McKennan Park
- All Saints
- Sertoma
Local help: City of Sioux Falls Human Relations Office
South Dakota ESA laws for Sioux Falls renters
South Dakota wrote its own rules for animals in rental housing back in 2018. SDCL 43-32-33 through 43-32-36 let a landlord ask for supporting documentation when your disability or your need for the animal isn't obvious, and they set out who is allowed to write that letter. The federal Fair Housing Act still sits on top of these state rules.
- Under SDCL 43-32-34, a landlord can't demand paperwork when your disability or your need for the animal is readily apparent or already known to them.
- SDCL 43-32-35 says the letter has to connect your disability to the animal and come from a licensed health care provider who doesn't operate in South Dakota solely to certify animals.
- Knowingly making a false disability claim or handing over fraudulent documentation can lead to eviction plus a damage fee of up to $1,000 under SDCL 43-32-36.
Your Sioux Falls 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 Sioux Falls.
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.
Sioux Falls 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.