Texas ESA laws
Texas has no statute written just for emotional support animals, so an ESA request in a Texas rental is a reasonable accommodation request under fair housing law. The Texas Workforce Commission's Civil Rights Division enforces fair housing in the state and looks at whether a landlord refused a change to a rule or policy that a tenant with a disability needed.
- Housing discrimination complaints have to reach the TWC Civil Rights Division within one year of the date the discrimination happened.
- You can file with TWC or with HUD, but not with both, so choose one route before you submit an inquiry form.
- TWC's housing process covers property located in Texas, and in most cases the owner must have more than three properties.
- Refusing a reasonable accommodation, such as an exception to a no-pet policy, is listed by TWC as unlawful when a person with a disability needs it to use their home.
Your Texas 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 Texas.
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.
Texas 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 Texas denies your ESA
Ask the housing provider to put the refusal and its reason in writing. You can then contact the Texas Workforce Commission Civil Rights Division 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 Texas psychiatric service dog letter.