$ USD Oregon ESA Letter for Renters
Emotional support animal evaluations for Portland, Salem, Eugene, Gresham, Hillsboro, Bend, Beaverton and Medford
Oregon protects tenants with disabilities through ORS 659A.145, which makes refusing a reasonable accommodation, such as a no-pet exception for an ESA, unlawful. There’s no state ESA statute, so no state waiting period.
Do a short pre-screening, then meet a licensed provider by video to see if an ESA fits into your care.
- Video Visits
- Licensed Providers
- ORS 659A.145 Rights
- Individual Decision
Pre-screening does not guarantee approval. A licensed provider decides after evaluating you.
Oregon ESA Laws at a Glance
Last reviewed November 2026 against official Oregon and federal sources.
Chapter 659A of the Oregon Revised Statutes holds both the housing rule that covers ESAs and the separate public-access rule for trained assistance animals. Keep the two apart.
Housing rights
Unlawful to refuse reasonable accommodations in rules, policies, practices or services.ESA letter rules
None in Oregon statute
No waiting period, provider list or required letter format.Assistance animals
Public places, trained animals only. Not the ESA housing rule.Where to file a complaint
Within 1 year (ORS 659A.820), or with HUD within 1 year.Same word, different rules: in Oregon public-access law, “assistance animal” means a trained animal. In housing, the question is whether an accommodation is necessary for your disability, which is where an ESA fits.
2026 federal change: since May 22, 2026, HUD has reviewed untrained ESAs case by case. ORS 659A.145 still requires reasonable accommodations, and BOLI remains the state agency for housing complaints.
How to Get an ESA Letter in Oregon
From the coast to the high desert, it happens online.
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1
Start the Pre-Screening
Tell us what you’re dealing with, about your animal and about your Oregon rental.
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2
See a Provider
A licensed provider who can treat Oregon patients evaluates you by video.
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3
Clinical Outcome
They decide whether an ESA is necessary for your disability. No approval is assumed.
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4
Ask for the Exception
If approved, send the letter with a written request to your property manager.
Oregon ESA Letter Pricing
Straight evaluation pricing, nothing recurring.
Where an Oregon ESA Letter Helps — and Where It Doesn’t
Apartments & ADUs
Yes. ORS 659A.145 and the FHA require landlords to consider accommodation requests.
UO, Oregon State & PSU
Usually. University Housing reviews ESA requests through accessibility services.
Flights
No. Airlines at PDX, EUG, RDM and MFR may treat an ESA as a pet.
Stores & Restaurants
No. ORS 659A.143 covers trained assistance animals only.
What to Include in an Oregon ESA Request
With no state template, these elements help an Oregon landlord say yes:
- A letter from a licensed health or mental health professional
- License type, number and state, plus signature and date
- A statement of disability, without the diagnosis
- Why the animal is necessary for equal use of your home
- Each animal identified
- A short written request to waive no-pet rules and pet charges
Who may qualify: Oregonians with a mental or emotional disability, for example anxiety, depression, PTSD or seasonal affective disorder, when an animal helps with symptoms that limit daily life.
Rural renters: telehealth makes it practical to see a licensed provider from Pendleton, Klamath Falls or the coast without driving to Portland.
Oregon ESA Letter FAQ
Does Oregon have an emotional support animal law?
Not a dedicated one. Oregon has no statute that defines ESAs for housing or regulates ESA letters. Renters rely on ORS 659A.145, Oregon's law against disability discrimination in real property transactions, and on the federal Fair Housing Act.
Which Oregon law covers ESA requests?
ORS 659A.145(2)(g) makes it unlawful to refuse reasonable accommodations in rules, policies, practices or services when they may be necessary to give a person with a disability equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling. An exception to a no-pet rule for an ESA is that kind of accommodation.
Isn't Oregon's "assistance animal" law about ESAs?
No. ORS 659A.143 deals with assistance animals in places of public accommodation, which means trained animals that do work or perform tasks. Emotional support alone doesn't make an animal an assistance animal under that section, so ESAs are handled through housing accommodation law instead.
Is there a waiting period or required format for Oregon ESA letters?
No. Oregon sets no 30-day rule, provider list or template. A dependable letter comes from a licensed professional who has evaluated you and confirms a disability and a disability-related need without naming the diagnosis.
Can I get an Oregon ESA letter through telehealth?
Yes. Oregon law places no ESA-specific limits on telehealth evaluations. Choose a provider licensed to treat patients in Oregon.
Can an Oregon landlord charge a pet deposit for my ESA?
Oregon statutes don't set an ESA-specific fee rule. Ask in writing for pet rent, pet fees and pet deposits to be waived as part of your accommodation. You're still responsible for damage the animal causes.
How did the 2026 HUD change affect Oregon renters?
On May 22, 2026, HUD said it would review untrained ESAs case by case for federal enforcement. Oregon's ORS 659A.145(2)(g) still requires reasonable accommodations, and Oregon's Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) still accepts housing discrimination complaints.
Can I take my ESA into stores or restaurants in Oregon?
No. Public-access rights under ORS 659A.143 belong to trained assistance animals. Interfering with an assistance animal is a Class A misdemeanor under ORS 167.352.
Can I fly with my ESA from Portland?
Under 14 CFR Part 382, airlines at Portland International (PDX), Eugene (EUG), Redmond (RDM) and Medford (MFR) may treat an ESA as a pet. A psychiatric service dog trained for specific tasks still flies as a service animal.
Where do I file a housing complaint in Oregon?
With BOLI's Civil Rights Division within one year of the discrimination (ORS 659A.820), 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 provider decides after evaluating you and may suggest a different path.
More for Oregon Animal Owners
Official Sources
Ready to Start Your Oregon ESA Evaluation?
Begin the free pre-screening. If a visit makes sense, a licensed provider meets you online and decides whether an emotional support animal letter is right for you.
Licensed providers. ORS 659A.145. Individual decision.
START YOUR OREGON ESA EVALUATIONUnited States Service Dogs
ESA Letter Evaluations for Oregon
This page is general information about Oregon 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.