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ESA Letter Oregon

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

Erika Caturegli, PhDWritten by: Erika Caturegli, PhD - Updated:Feb 04, 2026
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An emotional support animal in Oregon is strongly protected under the Fair Housing Act, which ensures you can live with your ESA even in properties with “no pets” policies. Oregon’s emotional support animal laws largely follow federal guidance and are reinforced by state statutes in Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) Chapter 659A, which prohibits housing discrimination based on disability.

This comprehensive guide covers everything Oregon residents need to know about emotional support animals: from understanding your housing rights to obtaining legitimate ESA documentation from Oregon-licensed mental health professionals.

Warning: While Oregon proposed legislation in 2019 to penalize service animal misrepresentation (House Bills 2758 and 3098), these bills failed to pass, meaning Oregon currently has no state-specific criminal penalties for ESA or service animal fraud. However, fraudulent documentation can still result in civil consequences, including eviction, denial of housing, and potential liability under general fraud statutes. Landlords can deny housing or pursue eviction if documentation is fraudulent. You may face civil liability under general fraud statute.

Key Takeaways for Oregon ESA Owners

  • An emotional support animal in Oregon receives strong housing protections through the Fair Housing Act and Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 659A
  • No pet fees or deposits for properly documented Oregon ESAs in housing
  • Breed and size restrictions don’t apply to ESAs in Oregon when proper documentation is provided
  • Oregon has no state-specific ESA laws beyond federal Fair Housing Act protections
  • Fraudulent documentation can result in eviction, housing denial, and civil liability
  • No public access rights: ESAs do not have access to restaurants, stores, or most public places
  • No free air travel: airlines have treated ESAs as regular pets since 2021
  • Workplace access is not guaranteed; employers have discretion
  • Legitimate documentation is essential: get your ESA letter from a licensed Oregon mental health professional

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What is an Oregon Emotional Support Animal?

In Oregon, emotional support animals are regulated under federal law and reinforced by state statutes. ESAs in Oregon are animals that provide therapeutic benefits to their owners through their presence by alleviating symptoms related to their emotional or mental health disability; ESAs are NOT service dogs.

ESA vs. Service Dog in Oregon (Quick Comparison)

FeatureEmotional Support AnimalService Dog
Main RoleComfort and emotional supportSpecifically trained tasks for disability
Training RequiredNo special training requiredYes, individually trained for specific tasks
Key Protection in ORHousing (FHA + ORS 659A)Housing, public access (ADA + Oregon law)
Public PlacesGenerally treated as a petMust be allowed under ADA
AirlinesTreated as a pet (fees apply)Must be allowed as a service animal
Housing Pet FeesNo pet fees for valid ESAsNo fees
Identification RequiredESA letter onlyNo specific identification required by law

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

Step 1: Work With an Oregon-Licensed Mental Health Professional

According to federal Fair Housing guidelines and HUD standards, your Oregon 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
  • Describe your disability-related need for the emotional support animal

Telehealth consultations are legal as long as they involve genuine clinical evaluations rather than automated questionnaires or instant letters.

2. Make Sure Your ESA Letter Includes the Right Elements

A strong Oregon 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 helps with your symptoms or functioning, and is necessary for you to use and enjoy your dwelling
  • 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

While Oregon has no state-specific criminal penalties for service animal misrepresentation (proposed House Bills 2758 and 3098 failed to pass), fraudulent documentation still carries serious civil consequences. This is what to avoid

  • Sites promising letters in minutes without real evaluation
  • “Certificates,” “registries,” or “ID cards” are sold as if they were official 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 evaluation

A good ESA platform in Oregon should:

  • Match you with a licensed clinician who can legally provide ESA evaluations
  • Ensure you have a real assessment, not just a checkbox form
  • Provide documentation that meets HUD standards and stands up to scrutiny from landlords

Understanding Your Oregon ESA Housing Rights

ESAs in Oregon are protected under housing rights through the Federal Fair Housing Act (FHA) and HUD’s assistance-animal guidance. Oregon has no separate state law expanding on federal ESA protections, but the state fully upholds FHA requirements.

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

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

  • Make reasonable accommodations for people with a compliant ESA letter
  • Waive existing pet policies in these cases

Housing providers in Oregon cannot: 

  • Charge pet rent, pet fees, or pet deposits for ESAs
  • Impose breed and size restrictions for ESAs

You’re still responsible for:

  • Any actual damage beyond normal wear and tear caused by the animal

When Can an Oregon 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 cannot be reduced by conditions
  • Allowing the animal would impose an undue financial or administrative burden or fundamentally alter the provider’s operations
  • You refuse to provide valid Oregon ESA documentation when legitimately requested

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

  • Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) Civil Rights Division: (971) 673-0764
  • HUD (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development): (800) 669-9777
  • HUD online complaint portal
  • Filing deadline: 1 year for HUD, 300 days for BOLI

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

Public Places (Stores, Restaurants, Hotels)

The reality: ESAs do NOT have public access rights under the ADA or Oregon law. Businesses in Oregon may treat ESAs as regular pets.

Oregon law is explicit: Only service dogs have public access rights under federal ADA and Oregon state law. ESAs are excluded from Oregon’s public accommodation protections for assistance animals.

  • Hotels: May refuse ESAs unless they have pet-friendly policies
  • Stores and shops: Business owners have complete discretion to allow or deny ESAs
  • Restaurants and grocery stores: Only service animals are allowed; ESAs can be excluded

Some establishments implement pet-friendly policies. In those cases, ESAs are allowed as well, but it’s always best to call ahead.

Air Travel

In 2021, federal rules changed. Under the Air Carrier Access Act, emotional support animals are no longer guaranteed the same travel rights as service animals. Oregon defers to those federal rules. ESAs in Oregon are now subject to regular airline travel fees, and most of all, they cannot freely access the cabin. As they are treated just like regular pets, they need to fly in airline approved carriers and fit under size restrictions.

What This Means for You
You might fly with your ESA but only if the airline allows it, and by paying standard animal airfare fees.
You’re not guaranteed in-cabin access just because you have an ESA letter.

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Public Transportation, Parks, and Facilities

Public transportation: ESAs are not permitted on TriMet (Portland’s transit system), Oregon buses, trains, or other public transit. Some systems may allow them at their discretion under pet policies.

State and local parks:

  • Many Oregon parks are pet-friendly and may welcome ESAs under regular pet policies
  • Leash laws apply (varies by municipality)
  • Oregon State Parks generally allow pets on leashes in designated areas
  • Some parks have restricted areas or seasonal limitations
  • Always check specific park regulations

Oregon ESA Rules for the Workplace

ESAs do not have automatic workplace access rights in Oregon.

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

Can You Request an ESA at Work in Oregon?

Yes, you can request it, but your employer can legally deny it. Here’s what might help:

Your request may be stronger if:

  • You have a documented mental health disability
  • A licensed Oregon mental health professional confirms in writing that the ESA is necessary for you to perform your job duties
  • The animal is well-behaved and won’t disrupt operations
  • Your employer can accommodate the animal without undue hardship

Employers can refuse if:

  • The ESA would create safety concerns
  • The animal disrupts work operations or other employees
  • Other reasonable accommodations exist that don’t involve an animal
  • The accommodation causes undue financial or administrative hardship

Best Practices for Workplace ESA Requests in Oregon

  • Review your employer’s policies regarding animals in the workplace
  • Communicate openly with your employer or HR department about your needs
  • Provide documentation from your Oregon-licensed mental health professional
  • Discuss alternatives if an ESA isn’t feasible (flexible schedules, modified duties, etc.)
  • Be prepared for rejection: employers are within their legal rights to deny ESA requests
  • Ensure your ESA is well-trained if approved. Disruptive behavior can lead to removal

Oregon ESA Resources for Students

University and College Housing

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

Oregon schools with documented ESA policies:

University of Oregon (UO):

  • ESAs allowed in University housing through Accessible Education Center (AEC)
  • Students must follow Housing Accommodations procedures
  • Documentation must be from appropriate qualified professional with established therapeutic relationship
  • General requirement: Minimum 30-day therapeutic relationship before ESA letter can be issued
  • Documentation for psychological disabilities should be within last 6 months unless condition doesn’t change over time
  • ESAs limited to common household animals (dogs, cats, small birds, rabbits, hamsters, gerbils, rodents, fish, turtles, other small domesticated animals traditionally kept in home)
  • Documentation must explain how specific animal mitigates disability impacts (not just general benefits of ESAs)
  • ESAs limited to University housing only, NOT permitted in other campus buildings
  • Contact: Accessible Education Center (AEC)

Oregon State University (OSU):

  • ESAs permitted in campus housing through Disability Access Services (DAS)
  • Students must complete On-Campus Housing Accommodation process
  • ESAs allowed in immediate dwelling (residence hall room and common area on assigned floor and wing)
  • NOT allowed in dining halls, classrooms, library, or other campus areas
  • Animal must be healthy and up to date on county/state required vaccinations
  • Animals must be housebroken before bringing to OSU
  • If handler absent more than 6 hours, off-campus care must be arranged
  • Animal must have identification with handler’s name and contact phone
  • OSU follows University Policy on Service & Assistance Animals
  • Contact: Disability Access Services (DAS)

Portland State University (PSU):

  • ESAs (called “Support Animals” or “SA” at PSU) permitted in campus housing through Disability Resource Center
  • Students must register with DRC and have SA accommodation approved before bringing animal to campus
  • Fall term requests must be completed before August 31st
  • Waiting period up to 10 business days after approval before animal can be brought in
  • Roommates will be notified that student is bringing SA into room
  • Per policy, students may request one SA (requests for multiple SAs considered in exceptional circumstances)
  • SAs generally not allowed in public areas of PSU, limited to University Housing
  • Contact: Disability Resource Center

ESA Resources for Oregon Veterans

Veterans with emotional support animals in Oregon receive the same housing protections as all other residents under the Fair Housing Act and Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 659A. There are no special ESA laws for veterans, but the same federal and state protections apply equally.

Key points for Oregon veterans:

  • Veterans Affairs provides mental health services and can connect you with licensed mental health professionals who can evaluate your need for an ESA
  • VA-connected providers who are licensed in Oregon can issue valid ESA letters
  • Veterans qualify for ESA housing accommodations just like any other resident with a disability
  • ESAs are NOT allowed on VA facility grounds (only trained service animals)

Organizations supporting Oregon veterans:

  • Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs: (503) 373-2085 or toll-free (800) 692-9666
  • Portland VA Medical Center provides mental health evaluations
  • Veterans Service Organizations throughout Oregon can provide referrals to mental health services

Ready to Get Your Oregon ESA Letter?

Make sure you’re working with a legitimate service that connects you with Oregon-licensed mental health professionals who establish therapeutic relationships (minimum 30 days in most cases), conduct real evaluations, and provide valid documentation that complies with Oregon and federal law.

Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to register my ESA in Oregon or get a special ID?

No. There is no official Oregon ESA registry, and federal law doesn’t require registration. The only required documentation is a legitimate ESA letter from an Oregon-licensed mental health professional with whom you have a therapeutic relationship (minimum 30 days in most cases): no ID card, certificate, or vest.

Can my landlord charge pet rent or a pet deposit for my ESA?

No. Under both the federal FHA and Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 659A, pet rent, pet fees, and pet deposits must be waived for ESAs. However, you’re still responsible for actual physical damage beyond normal wear and tear.

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

No. Breed and weight limits that apply to pets generally do not apply to ESAs. Decisions must be individualized to the specific animal, not based on stereotypes.

Can my landlord deny my ESA in Oregon?

Yes, but only under specific circumstances:

  • You don’t meet disability requirements
  • You refuse to provide valid documentation when legitimately requested
  • Your documentation is fraudulent or from an unlicensed provider
  • The animal poses a direct threat that can’t be mitigated
  • The animal would cause substantial damage that cannot be reduced
  • Your landlord qualifies for a small landlord exemption (owner-occupied, four or fewer units)
Can I have more than one ESA in Oregon?

Yes, if each animal is necessary for your disability-related needs. You’ll need documentation from a licensed Oregon provider explaining the need for multiple animals. Landlords can consider whether multiple ESAs would create an undue burden, pose safety concerns, or cause significant property damage. Portland State University’s policy notes that requests for multiple SAs (support animals) are considered in exceptional circumstances.

Does my ESA need special training in Oregon?

No specific task training is required (that’s what distinguishes ESAs from service animals). However, your ESA must:

  • Be under your control
  • Be housebroken
  • Not be aggressive or pose a safety threat
  • Not cause ongoing disturbances that fundamentally alter the housing environment
  • Comply with reasonable rules applicable to all residents
Does my clinician need to be licensed in Oregon?

Yes. Your provider must be licensed to practice in Oregon and should include their Oregon license details in your letter.

Does Oregon have specific penalties for ESA fraud?

No. Oregon proposed House Bills 2758 and 3098 in 2019 to create penalties for service animal misrepresentation (up to $1,000 fine for HB 2758), but both bills failed to pass. Oregon currently has no state-specific criminal penalties for ESA or service animal fraud. However, fraudulent documentation can still result in civil consequences including eviction, housing denial, and potential liability under general fraud statutes.

Disclaimer: This guide provides general information about Oregon emotional support animal laws and is not legal advice. ESA regulations, state statutes, and housing policies change regularly. For specific questions about your situation, consult an Oregon-licensed attorney specializing in disability rights or fair housing law. Always verify current university policies directly with campus disability services offices before making housing decisions.

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