$ USD Maine ESA Letter From a Licensed Professional
Emotional support animal evaluations for Portland, Lewiston, Bangor, South Portland, Auburn, Biddeford and Augusta
Maine writes ESA housing protection into state law. Under the Maine Human Rights Act, an animal a licensed professional finds necessary for your disability is an assistance animal, and landlords can’t charge a fee or deposit for it.
Complete a short pre-screening, then talk with a licensed professional about whether an emotional support animal is right for you.
- No Fees or Deposits by Law
- Licensed Professionals
- No Maine Waiting Period
- Individual Decision
Pre-screening does not guarantee approval. A licensed professional decides after evaluating your disability-related need.
Maine ESA Laws at a Glance
Last reviewed November 2026 against official Maine and federal sources.
Maine handles ESAs inside its civil rights law. Title 5 defines who counts as an assistance animal in housing and what landlords may and may not do, while Title 17 penalizes people who fake it.
Housing rights
Landlords can’t refuse an assistance animal or require a fee or security deposit for it.Who decides
Physician, psychologist, PA, NP, licensed social worker, LPC or other licensed professional who knows your need.Misrepresentation
Fake documents or service-style vests: a civil violation, up to $1,000 per occurrence.Where to file a complaint
Within 300 days (5 M.R.S. § 4611), or with HUD within 1 year.Narrow grounds for denial: a Maine landlord may refuse only by showing that the animal is a direct threat to others’ health or safety, would cause substantial physical damage to others’ property, or would substantially interfere with other residents’ reasonable enjoyment of the housing.
2026 federal change: since May 22, 2026, HUD has reviewed untrained ESAs case by case. Maine’s Human Rights Act separately covers animals a licensed professional finds necessary, so Maine tenants keep a state-law basis for their request.
How to Get an ESA Letter in Maine
From Kittery to Presque Isle, the process happens online.
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1
Start the Pre-Screening
Share your symptoms, your animal and your Maine housing details.
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2
Talk With a Professional
A licensed professional learns about your disability and how the animal helps.
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3
Determination of Need
The professional decides whether the animal is necessary for you. Approval isn’t automatic.
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4
Send Your Request
If approved, give your landlord the letter with a written request, and don’t pay any pet deposit.
Maine ESA Letter Pricing
You pay once for the evaluation. No renewals billed automatically.
Where a Maine ESA Letter Helps — and Where It Doesn’t
Apartments & Rentals
Yes. § 4582-A protects assistance animals and bans pet fees and deposits for them.
UMaine, USM & Bates
Usually. Residence life offices review requests through accessibility services; ask early.
Flights
No. Airlines at PWM and BGR may treat an ESA as a pet.
Stores & Restaurants
No. Public places admit trained service dogs only (17 M.R.S. § 1312).
What a Solid Maine ESA Letter Includes
Maine doesn’t mandate a template, but a letter that tracks § 4553(1-H)(A) will:
- Come from a professional on Maine’s list, or another licensed health professional
- Show the professional knows your disability-related need for the animal
- State that the animal is necessary to mitigate effects of your disability
- Leave your diagnosis out
- Include the professional’s license type, number and state, plus signature and date
- Identify each animal covered by the request
Who may qualify: Mainers with a physical or mental disability, such as anxiety, depression, PTSD or seasonal affective disorder, when an animal is necessary to lessen its effects.
Skip the vest: fitting an ESA with a service-animal vest, harness or sign to pass it off as a service animal is a civil violation under 17 M.R.S. § 1314-A.
Maine ESA Letter FAQ
Does Maine protect emotional support animals in housing?
Yes. Maine law doesn't use the phrase "emotional support animal," but the Maine Human Rights Act defines an assistance animal to include an animal that a licensed professional has determined necessary to mitigate the effects of a physical or mental disability (5 M.R.S. § 4553(1-H)(A)). No task training is required for that category, and 5 M.R.S. § 4582-A(3) bars housing providers from refusing the use of an assistance animal.
Who can make the determination for a Maine ESA?
A physician, psychologist, physician associate, nurse practitioner, licensed social worker, licensed professional counselor, or other licensed health professional with knowledge of your disability-related need for an assistance animal.
Is there a waiting period or required letter format in Maine?
No. Maine sets no 30-day rule and no mandatory letter template. The key requirement is that the professional actually knows your disability-related need, so the letter should reflect a real evaluation.
Can I be evaluated through telehealth in Maine?
Maine's assistance animal law doesn't address telehealth. A video evaluation can support a determination when the professional is licensed to treat you in Maine and gains genuine knowledge of your need.
Can a Maine landlord charge a pet fee or deposit for my ESA?
No. § 4582-A(3) says use of an assistance animal may not be conditioned on payment of a fee or security deposit. You remain liable for any damage the animal causes to the premises or facilities.
When can a Maine landlord refuse an ESA?
Only if the landlord shows that the animal poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others, would cause substantial physical damage to others' property, or would substantially interfere with other residents' reasonable enjoyment of the housing. The landlord carries the burden of showing that defense.
Did the 2026 HUD change affect Maine tenants?
HUD's May 22, 2026 policy change means untrained ESAs are reviewed case by case at the federal level. Maine's own Human Rights Act still lists animals determined necessary by a licensed professional as assistance animals, so state-law protection remains in place for Maine housing.
Is misrepresenting an ESA illegal in Maine?
Yes. 17 M.R.S. § 1314-A makes it a civil violation, with a fine of up to $1,000 per occurrence, to knowingly misrepresent an animal as a service or assistance animal. That includes creating or providing false documents and fitting an animal with a service-type vest, harness or sign.
Can I take my ESA into stores or restaurants in Maine?
No. In public accommodations Maine recognizes only service animals: dogs individually trained to do work or perform tasks. The statute says emotional support and comfort are not work or tasks.
Can I fly with my ESA from Portland or Bangor?
Under 14 CFR Part 382, airlines at Portland (PWM) and Bangor (BGR) may treat an ESA as a pet. A psychiatric service dog trained to perform tasks can still fly as a service animal.
Where do I file a housing complaint in Maine?
With the Maine Human Rights Commission within 300 days of the discrimination (5 M.R.S. § 4611), or with HUD within one year. A private Fair Housing Act lawsuit can be filed within two years.
Does an evaluation guarantee an ESA letter?
No. A licensed professional makes the determination after evaluating you and may decide an assistance animal isn't necessary.
More for Maine Animal Owners
Official Sources
- 5 M.R.S. § 4582-A (assistance animals and accommodations in housing)
- 5 M.R.S. § 4553 (definitions: assistance animal, service animal)
- 17 M.R.S. § 1314-A (misrepresentation of service or assistance animals)
- 17 M.R.S. § 1312 (service animals in public places)
- 5 M.R.S. § 4611 (complaint filing deadline)
- Maine Human Rights Commission — File a Complaint
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development — Report Housing Discrimination
- 14 CFR Part 382 — U.S. DOT air travel rules
Ready to Start Your Maine ESA Evaluation?
Take the free pre-screening. If it fits, a licensed professional evaluates you and determines whether an assistance animal is necessary for your disability.
Licensed professionals. Maine Human Rights Act. Individual decision.
START YOUR MAINE ESA EVALUATIONUnited States Service Dogs
ESA Letter Evaluations for Maine
This page is general information about Maine and federal law as of November 2026, not legal or medical advice. Completing a pre-screening does not guarantee eligibility, an appointment, an ESA letter, a housing accommodation or any particular outcome. ESA recommendations are made by independent licensed professionals based on individual evaluations. United States Service Dogs is not a government agency.