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

If you live in Michigan and rely on an emotional support animal (ESA), the Fair Housing Act ensures you can live with your ESA in most housing situations. Michigan has no state-specific ESA laws beyond federal protections. In 2020, Governor Gretchen Whitmer vetoed legislation that would have imposed stricter requirements on ESA documentation, citing privacy concerns and compatibility with federal protections.

This comprehensive guide breaks down everything Michigan residents need to understand about emotional support animals: federal and state legal protections, your housing rights, the proper process for securing legitimate documentation, and crucial information about where ESAs are and aren’t permitted, helping you navigate the system with confidence.

Warning: Under Michigan law (MCL- 752.62), those who knowingly submit fraudulent affidavits or fraudulently represent an unqualified animal as a service animal or service animal in training are guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by:

• Imprisonment for not more than 90 days, OR
• A fine of not more than $500, OR
• Community service for not more than 30 days

Landlords can deny housing to tenants who provide fraudulent ESA letters in Michigan. 

ESA vs. Service Dog in Michigan (Quick Comparison)

Step 2: Complete a Clinical Evaluation

Your mental health professional must:

• Evaluate your mental or emotional disability
• Have knowledge of your condition and how it affects you
• Determine that an ESA is necessary to help alleviate your disability-related symptoms
• Confirm that the ESA enables you to use and enjoy your dwelling

“Instant letters” or same-day evaluations from providers with no knowledge of your condition are not considered legitimate documentation under fair housing law and can be denied by landlords.

Step 4: Avoid Fake Registries, Fraudulent Documentation, and Online Scams

The Michigan Department of Civil Rights and Fair Housing Centers are explicit about fake documentation:

“No certification of an animal’s status as a service or emotional support animal is currently in existence. Some individuals and organizations sell service and emotional support animal certification or registration documents online. These documents do not convey any rights under the ADA or Fair Housing Act, and the Department of Justice does not recognize them as proof that an animal is a service or emotional support animal.”

Red flags to watch out for:

• Sites promising instant letters with no genuine evaluation
• “Official” ESA registries or certification databases (these don’t exist federally or in Michigan)
• Providers who never ask about your mental health history or therapeutic needs
• Pre-printed certificates or ID cards are sold as proof of ESA status
• Any site suggesting you “just say you’re disabled” to qualify
• Extremely cheap letters ($25-50) with no real consultation
• Services that guarantee approval before any evaluation
• Providers that don’t have valid licenses

ESA registrations, certificates, and vests are neither legally required nor recognized under Michigan or federal law. What matters for housing is a valid ESA letter from a licensed mental health professional with knowledge of your disability and disability-related need for the animal.

Michigan landlords can request valid documentation and deny tenants who cannot provide legitimate ESA letters. Using fraudulent documentation can result in denial of accommodations and potential eviction.

CertaPet telehealth services connect you with a licensed clinician in Michigan to conduct a compliant assessment that meets federal fair housing requirements. All our therapists will be with you every step of the way.

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When Can a Michigan Landlord Deny Your ESA Request?

Housing providers can deny an ESA request if:

• The documentation is fraudulent, inadequate, or doesn’t establish both a disability and a disability-related need for the animal
• Your documentation is not from a licensed healthcare provider with knowledge of your condition
• The animal poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others that cannot be reduced through reasonable measures
• The animal would cause substantial property damage that cannot be mitigated
• Allowing the animal would impose an undue financial or administrative burden or fundamentally alter the housing program

Small landlord exemption: Owner-occupied buildings with four or fewer units may be exempt from FHA requirements. Religious organizations and private clubs may also have limited exemptions.

If you believe you’ve been wrongly denied, you can file a complaint with:

• Michigan Department of Civil Rights (MDCR): (800) 482-3604 / Email: MDCR-INFO@michigan.gov
• Fair Housing Center of Southeast & Mid Michigan: (877) 979-3247
• Fair Housing Center of Metropolitan Detroit: (313) 579-3247
• Fair Housing Center of West Michigan: (616) 451-2980 / Toll-Free: (866) 389-3247
• Fair Housing Center of Southwest Michigan: (866) 637-0733
• Fair Housing Center of Eastern Michigan: (800) 322-4512
• HUD (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development): (800) 669-9777

Air Travel

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

Michigan ESA Rules for the Workplace

ESAs do not have automatic workplace access rights in Michigan.

Federal Law and ESAs at Work

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), employers must provide “reasonable accommodations” for employees with disabilities. However:

• The ADA only protects explicitly service animals in the workplace, not ESAs
• ESAs fall into a gray area for workplace accommodations
• Employers have significant discretion in deciding whether to allow ESAs
• The Michigan Department of Civil Rights confirms that ESAs are generally not considered reasonable accommodations in the workplace.

Michigan ESA Resources for Students

University and College Housing

College and university housing in Michigan falls under the FHA, meaning that ESAs are allowed as a reasonable accommodation for students. Still, their access is limited only to the students’ living quarters. Animals can be removed from University housing if they pose health/safety threats or interfere with University programs.

How it typically works:

• Contact your school’s Disability Services office or Office of Accessibility (not housing first)
• Provide ESA documentation from a qualified licensed mental health provider
• Follow the approval process and any requirements (vaccines, behavior standards, designated areas)

Michigan schools with documented ESA policies:

Michigan State University (MSU):

• ESAs (Assistance Animals other than service animals) are permitted in University housing if approved by the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities (RCPD)
• Students must request approval through RCPD before bringing an ESA to campus
• ESAs must remain in the student’s assigned housing and are NOT permitted in other campus areas (dining halls, classrooms, labs, recreation facilities, common areas except in transit)
• The animal must be under the student’s control at all times
• Students cannot leave an ESA unattended overnight or assign supervision to another student
• Contact: Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities (RCPD)

University of Michigan (Ann Arbor):

• Service animals and emotional support animals are permitted in University housing as required by law
• Students must complete the Initial Contact form and upload documentation
• Documentation typically includes a letter from a qualified healthcare provider
• ESAs are permitted only in assigned housing units, not in public campus spaces (dining halls, classrooms, museums, athletic facilities)
• Contact: Housing Information Office – Phone: (734) 763-3164 / Email: housing.assignment@umich.edu

University of Michigan-Flint:

• Students must register with Disability & Accessibility Support Services (DASS) before housing for the animal is needed
• The student’s treating professional must complete the ESA Disability Verification Form
• Once approved, students must meet with Housing and Residential Life to discuss guidelines
• UM-Flint will not accept documentation from online certification/registration sites
• ESAs are only permitted in assigned housing, not in other campus facilities
• Contact: Disability & Accessibility Support Services (DASS)