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ESA Letter Indiana

Indiana ESA Laws: A Complete 2026 Guide (Housing, Travel & Workplace)

Athena Angela Gaffud, DVMWritten by: Athena Angela Gaffud, DVM - Updated:Feb 04, 2026
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If you rely on the presence of an emotional support animal (ESA) in Indiana then you know how vital your animal is for your mental health, and because of this you’re entitled to housing rights under the Fair Housing Act (FHA), when you obtain a legal ESA letter. This doesn’t mean that you also have rights in public places and while traveling. It’s important to note that Indiana has laws that define ESA requirements and prohibit misrepresentation of assistance animals.

This guide breaks down Indiana ESA laws in plain English so you know what’s allowed, what’s risky, and how to do things the legal way.

Warning: Indiana Law Requires Proper ESA Documentation

Under Indiana Code § 22-9-7-8 and federal regulations:

  • To be prescribed an emotional support animal, individuals must have a verifiable disability
  • Misrepresenting an animal as an ESA or presenting fraudulent documentation can result in legal consequences including eviction and fines
  • Indiana recognizes ESAs for individuals with physical, psychiatric, or intellectual disabilities but requires proper documentation from licensed healthcare professionals

Key Takeaways for Indiana ESA Owners

  • Federal Fair Housing Act (FHA) provides primary ESA protections – Indiana residents with valid ESA letters have housing rights including exemption from pet fees, breed restrictions, and size/weight limits
  • Class A infraction for ESA misrepresentation in housing – Indiana Code § 22-9-7-12 (Senate Bill 240, signed March 2018, effective July 1, 2018): Misrepresenting an animal as an ESA carries civil penalties up to $10,000 per violation
  • Multiple forms of misrepresentation prohibited – The statute covers (1) misrepresenting disability status to landlords, (2) making false statements to healthcare providers, (3) providing fraudulent documentation, (4) fitting animals with vests/harnesses/signs to falsely identify as ESA, and (5) health service providers verifying ESA need without adequate professional knowledge
  • Applies specifically to housing accommodations – Indiana’s law targets ESA fraud in rental/housing contexts where disability is not readily apparent; dwellings exempt from Indiana Fair Housing law are not subject to these ESA requirements
  • No public access rights for ESAs – ESAs are not protected under Indiana law or the ADA for public accommodations (restaurants, stores, hotels, transportation)
  • Verification requirements established – Indiana Code § 22-9-7-9: Housing providers may request written verification from health service provider certifying (1) individual has disability, (2) need for ESA as reasonable accommodation, and (3) ESA assists individual in managing disability
  • No specific training or certification required for ESAs – Landlords cannot require ESAs to have specific training, wear identifying collars/vests, or obtain certification
  • Annual ESA letter renewal recommended – Valid ESA letter from licensed Indiana healthcare provider should remain current to maintain FHA housing protections

Note: Indiana was among the first wave of states (2018) to specifically address ESA misrepresentation with the passage of Senate Bill 240, establishing clear civil penalties to combat fraudulent ESA claims while protecting legitimate users.

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What Is an Indiana Emotional Support Animal?

In Indiana, there are no state-specific laws concerning emotional support animals beyond federal protections under the Fair Housing Act. An Indiana emotional support animal is an animal that provides companionship and emotional or other support that alleviates one or more symptoms of an individual’s disability. ESAs in Indiana are not trained to perform specific tasks for people with disabilities.

ESA vs. Service Dog in Indiana (Quick Table)

FeatureEmotional Support / Assistance AnimalService Dog
Main roleComfort / emotional supportSpecifically trained tasks
Training required?No special training requiredYes, individually trained
Key protection in INHousing (FHA)Housing and public access
Public places (stores, etc.)Usually treated as a petMust generally be allowed under ADA
AirlinesTreated as a pet (as of 2021)Must be allowed as service animals
Housing pet feesNo pet fees for valid ESAsNo pet fees

How to Get a Legitimate Indiana ESA Letter (Step-by-Step)

Below are the steps to obtain a valid Indiana ESA letter. It is very important to follow them to ensure your ESA will benefit from housing rights.

1. Work With a Licensed Professional

According to Indiana Code § 22-9-7-8 and federal Fair Housing guidelines, your Indiana ESA letter must:

  • Be in writing
  • Come from a licensed mental health professional or other licensed healthcare provider
  • Be based on direct knowledge of your disability and need for the animal
  • Confirm that you have a verifiable disability

While an ESA letter doesn’t need to be issued by an Indiana-licensed professional specifically, working with someone licensed in Indiana can help ensure acceptance by landlords and housing providers. Telehealth consultations are legal as long as they involve real clinical assessments.

2. Make Sure Your ESA Letter Includes the Right Elements

A strong Indiana ESA letter for housing typically:

  • States that you have a mental or emotional disability (no need to list specific diagnosis details)
  • Explains that the animal provides emotional or other support that alleviates one or more symptoms of your disability
  • Is in writing, on professional letterhead, signed and dated
  • Includes the clinician’s full name, license type, license number, and state of licensure
  • Shows that the provider has direct knowledge of you through ongoing treatment or documented evaluation

3. Avoid “Letter Mills” and Misrepresentation Traps

Indiana law recognizes ESAs only when properly prescribed by licensed professionals. Red flags to watch for when considering online ESA services:

  • Sites promising instant letters without any real evaluation
  • “Certificates,” “registries,” or “ID cards” are sold as if they were official government documents
  • Providers who never ask about your history, symptoms, or how the animal helps
  • Any suggestion to “just claim” you need an ESA without a proper assessment

Landlords in Indiana may legally request valid ESA documentation and may deny housing to those unable to provide it. Misrepresenting an animal as an ESA can result in eviction and other legal consequences.

Understanding Your Indiana ESA Housing Rights

ESAs in Indiana are protected under housing rights through the Federal Fair Housing Act (FHA) and HUD’s assistance-animal guidance. Indiana has no separate state law expanding on federal ESA protections, but Indiana Code § 22-9-7-8 recognizes ESAs for individuals with disabilities and the state fully upholds FHA requirements.

What Landlords, HOAs, and Condo Boards Can and Cannot Do

Under the Fair Housing Act, housing providers in Indiana must:

  • Make reasonable accommodations for people with compliant ESA letters
  • Waive existing pet policies for ESAs
  • Not charge pet rent, pet fees, or pet deposits for ESAs
  • Not impose breed and size restrictions for ESAs

You’re still responsible for:

  • Actual damage beyond normal wear and tear caused by the animal

When Can an Indiana Landlord Say “No”?

Housing providers can deny an assistance-animal request if:

  • The animal poses a direct threat to others’ health or safety that cannot be reduced by reasonable steps
  • The animal would cause substantial property damage that can’t be reasonably reduced
  • Allowing the animal would impose an undue financial or administrative burden or fundamentally alter the provider’s operations
  • You refuse to provide valid ESA documentation when legitimately requested

If you believe you’ve been wrongly denied, you can file a complaint with the Indiana Civil Rights Commission or HUD.

Where Can You Take Your ESA in Indiana? (Rules, Risks & Limits)

Public Places and Businesses

Under the ADA, ESAs in Indiana do not have public access rights (stores, restaurants, hotels, etc.) the same way service dogs do.Business owners can decide to allow ESAs on a case-by-case basis, and Indiana ESAs are permitted in any establishment that already has pet-friendly policies.

Air Travel

Current rules: Following revisions to the Air Carrier Access Act, airlines are no longer required to accept ESAs as service animals, effective January 2021. This means that:

  • Most major carriers (United, American, Delta, Southwest) now treat ESAs as regular pets
  • ESAs are subject to pet fees (typically $95-$125 each way)
  • Must travel in airline-approved carriers that fit under the seat
  • Size and breed restrictions may apply
  • Some smaller airlines may have different policies; always contact your airline in advance
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Public Transportation

Most Indiana public transit systems, including IndyGo (Indianapolis) and Bloomington Transit, follow federal ADA standards. This means only service animals are guaranteed access, and ESAs aren’t automatically allowed. However, some smaller regional transit systems, like the Southern Indiana Transit System (SITS), may allow animals, including ESA, as long as they’re leashed or in carriers and don’t pose a risk to passengers. Make sure to check with your specific transit provider.

Indiana ESA Rules for the Workplace

According to the Federal ADA (Title I), only service animals are covered in workplace settings. ESAs in Indiana do not have automatic access to workspaces. However, employees can request accommodations from their employers. An ESA owner with a legal Indiana ESA letter can discuss possible accommodations with their employer, and some employers may make exceptions on a case-by-case basis. Just remember that employers are legally not obligated to accept ESAs in the workplace.

Indiana ESA Resources for Students in Campus Housing

ESAs in College and University Housing

Campus housing (dorms, university-owned apartments) is still housing, so the FHA applies.

Many Indiana colleges follow similar patterns:

Indiana University explains that ESAs are permitted only in the owner’s on-campus residence with advance approval from appropriate campus offices. Student residents should seek approval from the campus office serving students with disabilities. ESAs are not permitted in any other university building or facility.

Purdue University requires students to request ESA accommodation through the Disability Resource Center for University Residences housing. About 25% of students who receive ADA housing accommodations have an approved emotional support animal. ESA owners may have the animal in their assigned room and in communal areas like hallways for access to their room. Still, they may not take ESAs into other student rooms, other residence halls, dining centers, or other campus buildings.

Ball State University has seen significant growth in ESA approvals. The number has more than tripled over five school years, with 147 ESAs now on campus. Students must work with disability services for proper documentation and approval.

If you’re a student, expect this basic process:

  1. Contact your Disability Services/Accessibility office (not housing first)
  2. Provide ESA documentation from a qualified licensed provider
  3. Await approval and follow any rules (vaccines, cleanliness, where the animal can go, roommate agreements, etc.)
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my landlord deny my ESA in Indiana?

Yes, under specific conditions. A landlord, HOA, or condo board can deny if:

  • You don’t meet the disability standards
  • You refuse to provide compliant Indiana ESA documentation when legitimately requested
  • The animal is dangerous, extremely disruptive, or would cause significant property damage
  • Allowing the ESA would impose an undue financial or administrative burden
Can my landlord charge pet rent or a pet deposit for my ESA?

No. Pet rent, pet fees, and pet deposits must be waived for assistance animals (including ESAs). You’re still responsible for actual damage beyond normal wear and tear.

Are there breed or weight limits for ESAs in Indiana housing?

Breed or weight limits that apply to pets generally must be waived for ESAs, unless the landlord can show a specific safety or property risk associated with your animal. A blanket “no pit bulls” rule, by itself, is not a valid reason to deny a properly documented ESA.

Do I have to register my ESA in the state of Indiana?

No. There is no official Indiana ESA registry. What matters in housing is a compliant Indiana ESA letter from a provider with direct knowledge of your disability and need for the animal, not an ID tag or certificate. The Indiana Civil Rights Commission specifically notes that no special registration is required.

Can I have more than one ESA in Indiana?

Yes. HUD guidance acknowledges that some people may need more than one assistance animal, but you’ll need documentation that explains the disability-related need for each animal. Landlords have the right to consider whether multiple animals would create an undue burden, health/safety risk, or significant property damage.

Does my ESA need special training?

No, ESAs don’t need to undergo specialized task training. Indiana Code § 22-9-7-8 specifically states that “an animal does not need specific training to become an emotional support animal.” However, assistance animals must:

  • Be under your control
  • Be house-trained
  • Not be aggressive or dangerously out of control
Are ESAs allowed in Indiana workplaces?

Not by default. Indiana law and the ADA do not require employers to accommodate ESAs. You can still request an ESA as an accommodation by presenting your ESA letter, but your employer can legally say no if it’s not reasonable or would create undue hardship.

Are ESAs allowed in Indiana college dorms?

Generally yes, when properly requested as a housing accommodation. Indiana schools like Indiana University, Purdue University, and Ball State University treat ESAs as fair-housing accommodations in campus housing, with documentation and approval required through disability services. ESAs typically are not allowed in classrooms, dining facilities, and other buildings the way service dogs are.

What animals can be ESAs in Indiana?

Indiana Code § 22-9-7-8 recognizes that ESAs may be used by individuals with a range of physical, psychiatric, or intellectual disabilities. A variety of pets can serve as emotional support animals, as long as they provide comfort and support. The most common ones are dogs and cats, but other domesticated animals can also qualify.

What happens if I misrepresent my pet as an ESA in Indiana?

Misrepresenting a pet as an ESA or presenting fraudulent documentation can result in eviction, denial of housing accommodations, and potential legal consequences. Always ensure your ESA documentation is legitimate and comes from a licensed healthcare professional.

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