Connecticut and
Emotional Support Animals

Connecticut ESA Laws

Connecticut protects ESA owners through state and federal law. CGS §46a-64c prohibits disability-based housing discrimination, and Connecticut has strengthened ESA letter requirements to ensure documentation comes from licensed professionals with a genuine clinical relationship. The Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (CHRO) enforces state fair housing law. Landlords must accommodate verified ESAs without extra fees.

Overview of ESA Laws in Connecticut

Connecticut provides strong protections for ESA owners through a combination of federal law and state statutes. The Connecticut Fair Housing Act (CGS §46a-64c) prohibits housing discrimination based on disability and is enforced by the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (CHRO). Connecticut has also addressed ESA letter integrity to ensure that documentation comes from providers with a legitimate clinical relationship.

Federal Protections Under the Fair Housing Act

The Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. §3601–3619) provides the foundational legal framework for ESA housing rights in Connecticut and nationwide.

Key FHA Protections

• Landlords must waive no-pet policies, breed restrictions, and weight limits for verified ESAs.
• No pet rent, pet deposits, or pet fees may be charged for an ESA.
• Covers most residential housing with limited exemptions.
• Landlords may request documentation of the disability and the need for the animal.

State-Specific ESA Laws in Connecticut

CGS §46a-64c — Fair Housing and Disability Accommodations

Connecticut's fair housing statute prohibits discrimination in housing based on disability, including the refusal to make reasonable accommodations for tenants who need assistance animals. The CHRO interprets this to include emotional support animals as reasonable accommodations.

ESA Letter Standards

Connecticut has taken steps to ensure ESA letters come from credible providers:

• ESA letters must be issued by a licensed health care professional with a bona fide clinical relationship with the patient.
• Letters from providers whose only service is issuing ESA documentation — without a genuine evaluation — may be challenged by landlords and may not satisfy the standard for reliable documentation under HUD guidance.
• The CHRO has provided guidance reinforcing that landlords may request verification but cannot demand specific diagnostic information.

ESA Letter Requirements in Connecticut

A valid ESA letter in Connecticut should include:

• The LMHP's full name, license number, license type, and state of licensure.
• A statement that the patient has a disability under the FHA.
• A statement that the ESA alleviates one or more symptoms of the disability.
• Date of issuance and the professional's signature on letterhead.
• Evidence of a genuine clinical relationship — not a one-time, letter-only transaction.

Housing Rights and Landlord Obligations

Connecticut landlords are subject to both the federal FHA and state law under CGS §46a-64c:

• Must accommodate: Landlords must allow ESAs in no-pet properties with valid documentation.
• No extra fees: Pet deposits, pet rent, and breed-based surcharges are prohibited for ESAs.
• May request documentation: Landlords can ask for a letter from a licensed provider but cannot require disclosure of specific diagnoses.
• Interactive process: Connecticut encourages an interactive dialogue between landlord and tenant to resolve accommodation requests.
• No retaliation: Landlords cannot take adverse action against tenants for requesting ESA accommodations.
• Direct threat exception: A landlord may deny a specific animal only if it poses a demonstrated direct threat to health or safety.

ESA vs. Service Animals in Connecticut

• Service animals are individually trained for specific tasks and have public access rights under the ADA. Connecticut law (CGS §46a-44) also provides state-level public access protections for service animals.
• Emotional support animals provide comfort through companionship without task training. ESAs are protected under the FHA and CGS §46a-64c for housing only.

Air Travel with ESAs from Connecticut

The DOT's January 2021 ACAA rule change means airlines are no longer required to accommodate ESAs in the cabin. Only trained service animals retain guaranteed access. Airlines serving Connecticut airports (Bradley International, Tweed-New Haven) may allow small ESAs under their pet policies at their discretion.

How to Get an ESA Letter in Connecticut

1. Establish a clinical relationship with a licensed mental health professional in Connecticut — a psychologist, psychiatrist, LCSW, LPC, or LMFT.
2. Undergo a genuine evaluation of your mental health condition and how an ESA would provide therapeutic benefit.
3. Receive a compliant ESA letter that reflects the clinical relationship and meets FHA and Connecticut standards.
4. Submit the letter to your landlord with a written reasonable accommodation request.

MyPetCerts connects Connecticut residents with licensed professionals who provide legitimate clinical evaluations and, when clinically appropriate, issue ESA letters that meet both federal and Connecticut state requirements.

Key Statutes and Resources

• Fair Housing Act: 42 U.S.C. §3601–3619
• HUD FHEO Notice 2020-01: Assessing a Person's Request to Have an Animal as a Reasonable Accommodation
• Connecticut Fair Housing Act: CGS §46a-64c
• Connecticut Service Animal Law: CGS §46a-44
• Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (CHRO): portal.ct.gov/chro