South Carolina Emotional Support Animal Registration

Register Your Emotional Support Animal in South Carolina

For ESA owners in Charleston, Columbia, North Charleston or Greenville: an ID card, certificate and digital ID in a few minutes.

  • ID card & certificate
  • Digital ID for your phone
  • Online lookup by ID number
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South Carolina ESA Laws at a Glance

Written by: Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC-MHSP)
Medically Reviewed by Evelyn Daley MSW, LCSW
Published: Last updated:

In South Carolina, keeping an emotional support animal is a housing question, decided as a reasonable-accommodation request under the federal Fair Housing Act and S.C. Code § 31-21-70. Since May 22, 2026, HUD reviews requests for untrained ESAs case by case, so South Carolina's own rules below matter.

State housing lawS.C. Code § 31-21-70South Carolina Fair Housing Law - non-service animals as reasonable accommodation
ESA letter rulesLandlords may ask if the tenant has a disability and a disability-related need for the animal, and may ask for documentation; it suffices if it shows the disability and that the animal helps or gives emotional support.S.C. Code § 31-21-70 (Act 44 of 2019)
ESA misrepresentation penaltyNo ESA-specific state penalty
Where to file a housing complaintSouth Carolina Human Affairs CommissionFile within 180 days of the incident.

S.C. Code § 47-3-980 (fines $250-$1,000) penalizes misrepresenting a service animal but does not mention ESAs or housing.

Start Your South Carolina ESA Registration

  1. 1Owner
  2. 2Animal
  3. 3Kit
  4. 4Add-ons
Need an ESA letter for housing? Online evaluation by a licensed mental health professional Licensed in your state · approval not guaranteed Book Appointment
Step 1. Owner’s Information

We’ll send your registration confirmation and digital materials to your email.

South Carolina ESA FAQ

Do I need to register my emotional support animal in South Carolina?

No. Neither federal nor South Carolina law requires or recognizes ESA registration; what counts is documentation that meets S.C. Code § 31-21-70 (Act 44 of 2019).

What does South Carolina require in an ESA letter?

Landlords may ask if the tenant has a disability and a disability-related need for the animal, and may ask for documentation; it suffices if it shows the disability and that the animal helps or gives emotional support. (S.C. Code § 31-21-70 (Act 44 of 2019)).

Can my landlord in South Carolina refuse my ESA or charge a pet fee?

The landlord must consider it as a reasonable-accommodation request under S.C. Code § 31-21-70 and the federal Fair Housing Act. Since May 2026, HUD no longer treats untrained ESAs as presumptively reasonable, so the outcome depends on your facts and South Carolina law. If it's granted, ask in writing whether pet fees or deposits are waived.

Can I take my ESA into stores or restaurants in South Carolina?

No. S.C. Code Ann. § 43-33-20 and the ADA give access rights to trained service dogs only.

Can I fly with my ESA from Charleston (CHS)?

Airlines at Charleston (CHS) may treat an ESA as a pet under 14 CFR Part 382, so check your airline's pet rules before booking.

Where can I file a housing complaint in South Carolina?

With the South Carolina Human Affairs Commission within 180 days of the incident, or with HUD within 1 year. Private Fair Housing Act lawsuits can be filed within 2 years.

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Official Sources

  1. S.C. Code § 31-21-70 — housing
  2. S.C. Code § 31-21-70 (Act 44 of 2019) — ESA documentation
  3. South Carolina Human Affairs Commission — housing complaints
  4. Report Housing Discrimination (HUD) — federal complaints
  5. 14 CFR Part 382 (U.S. DOT air travel rules) — flying with animals
  6. ADA Requirements: Service Animals (U.S. Department of Justice) — why ESAs lack public access

Need a Service Dog Registration Instead?

A task-trained dog, including a psychiatric service dog, is covered by S.C. Code Ann. § 43-33-20.

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This summary of South Carolina law was last reviewed in October 2026 and is general information, not legal advice. United States Service Dogs is a private registration service, does not issue ESA letters, and is not a government agency.