Service Animals and ESAs - Revision history

Mherman: /* Requirements for ESAs */

2026-02-24T16:25:56Z

‎Requirements for ESAs

Mherman: /* Requirements for ESAs */

2026-02-24T16:24:51Z

‎Requirements for ESAs

Mherman: /* Requirements for ESAs */

2026-02-24T16:23:41Z

‎Requirements for ESAs

Mherman: /* Removal of Animals */

2026-02-24T16:12:09Z

‎Removal of Animals

Mherman: /* Things To Note */

2026-02-24T16:11:45Z

‎Things To Note

Mherman at 23:22, 20 May 2025

2025-05-20T23:22:17Z

Mherman at 23:15, 20 May 2025

2025-05-20T23:15:37Z

Mherman: /* Service Animals & Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) */

2025-05-20T23:14:38Z

‎Service Animals & Emotional Support Animals (ESAs)

Mherman: Created page with "= Service Animals & Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) = This section outlines the rules and requirements for having a service animal or emotional support animal (ESA) to a Dow..."

2025-05-20T23:13:31Z

Created page with "= Service Animals & Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) = This section outlines the rules and requirements for having a service animal or emotional support animal (ESA) to a Dow..."

New page

= Service Animals & Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) =

This section outlines the rules and requirements for having a service animal or emotional support animal (ESA) to a Downtownian.com property.

== Things To Note ==

* For the safety and harmony of our community, the animals on our [[Banned Animal List]], except for large dogs, are '''never allowed on our property''', including as service animals or ESAs.
* Note that while some laws mention miniature horses as service animals, we only allow service '''dogs''' due to property limits and safety.
* Service animal owners must notify us and provide all required information before bringing a service animal or ESA onto the property.

== Requirements & Responsibilities ==

These rules apply to both service animals and emotional support animals:

* '''No Pet Fees:''' No pet fees, deposits, or pet rent apply.
* '''Owner Control:''' The animal must be under your control at all times (e.g., leash, harness, voice commands).
* '''Waste Removal:''' You are responsible for cleaning up and properly disposing of all animal waste.
* '''Vaccinations & Licensing:''' Proof of uo-to-date vaccinations and licensing must be provided upon request.
* '''Behavior:''' You are responsible for the animal's behavior, including preventing excessive noise or aggressive actions.
* '''Damage:''' You are financially responsible for any damage your animal causes to the property or to others' property.
* '''Health:''' Your animal must be clean, healthy and free of pests.

== Rejection of Request ==

An accommodation request for a service animal or ESA will be denied if:

* The animal would pose a direct threat to the health or safety of others that cannot be eliminated or reduced to an acceptable level by another reasonable accommodation.
* The animal would cause substantial physical damage to the property of others that cannot be eliminated or reduced to an acceptable level by another reasonable accommodation.
* The request would impose an undue financial and administrative burden on the building or management company.
* The request would fundamentally alter the nature of the building or management company’s operations.

== Removal of Animals ==

An approved service animal or ESA may be asked to be removed from the property if:

* The animal poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others that cannot be eliminated or reduced by reasonable modification. This includes animals with multiple instances of unprovoked aggression.
* The animal causes substantial physical damage to the property of others that cannot be eliminated or reduced by reasonable modification.
* The animal is not housebroken.
* The animal is out of control and the handler does not take effective action to control it.

== Requirements for Service Animals ==

* '''Only dogs''' are permitted as service animals.
* All service animals require approval before being brought onto the property.
* If the disability or need for a service animal is not readily apparent, we will ask the following questions to qualify it:
** Is the animal required because of a disability?
** What work or task has the animal been trained to perform?

== Requirements for ESAs ==

* '''Documentation from a Qualified Professional:''' You must provide a current letter on professional letterhead from a doctor, therapist, social worker, or similar mental health professional who has a therapeutic relationship with you. This letter must state:
** You have a disability.
** The animal provides emotional support that helps alleviate symptoms of your disability.
** The specific type of animal, breed (if applicable), and weight (if applicable).
* '''Your animal may be denied if:'''
** There is no clear link (nexus) between the animal and your disability.
** Your documentation is not credible or not from a qualified professional with a therapeutic relationship.
** The animal is on our [[Banned Animal List]] (except for large breeds).
** The animal is banned according to local ordinance, such as farm animals in Baltimore City.

@@ Line 32: / Line 32: @@
 * '''Documentation from a Qualified Professional:''' <span style="background-color: yellow;">You must provide a current letter on professional letterhead from a doctor, therapist, social worker, or similar mental health professional who has a therapeutic relationship with you.</span> This letter must state:
-** You have a disability.
+** You have a disability.  The specific disability does <u>not</u> need to be disclosed.
 ** The animal provides emotional support that helps alleviate symptoms of your disability.
 ** The specific type of animal, breed (if applicable), and weight (if applicable).

@@ Line 31: / Line 31: @@
 == Requirements for ESAs ==
-* '''Documentation from a Qualified Professional:''' You must provide a current letter on professional letterhead from a doctor, therapist, social worker, or similar mental health professional who has a therapeutic relationship with you. This letter must state:
+* '''Documentation from a Qualified Professional:''' {{highlight|You must provide a current letter on professional letterhead from a doctor, therapist, social worker, or similar mental health professional who has a therapeutic relationship with you.}} This letter must state:
 ** You have a disability.
 ** The animal provides emotional support that helps alleviate symptoms of your disability.

@@ Line 54: / Line 54: @@
 An approved service animal or ESA may be asked to be removed from the property if:
-* The animal poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others that cannot be eliminated or reduced by reasonable modification. This includes animals with multiple instances of unprovoked aggression.
+* The animal poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others that cannot be eliminated or reduced by reasonable modification. This includes animals with instances of unprovoked aggression.
 * The animal causes substantial physical damage to the property of others that cannot be eliminated or reduced by reasonable modification.
 * The animal is not housebroken.

@@ Line 5: / Line 5: @@
 == Things To Note ==
-* For the safety and harmony of our community, the animals on our [[Banned Animal List]], except for large dogs, are '''never allowed on our property''', including as service animals or ESAs.
+* For the safety and harmony of our community, the animals on our [[Banned Animal List]], except for large dogs, are '''never allowed on our property''', including as service animals or ESAs, unless they pass a AKC Canine Good Citizen test.
 * Note that while some laws mention miniature horses as service animals, we only allow service '''dogs''' due to property limits and safety.
 * Service animal owners must notify us and provide all required information before bringing a service animal or ESA onto the property.

@@ Line 16: / Line 16: @@
 * '''Owner Control:''' The animal must be under your control at all times (e.g., leash, harness, voice commands).
 * '''Waste Removal:''' You are responsible for cleaning up and properly disposing of all animal waste.
-* '''Vaccinations & Licensing:''' Proof of uo-to-date vaccinations and licensing must be provided upon request.
+* '''Vaccinations & Licensing:''' Proof of up-to-date vaccinations and [http://www.petdata.com/for-pet-owners/blt licensing] must be provided upon request.
 * '''Behavior:''' You are responsible for the animal's behavior, including preventing excessive noise or aggressive actions.
 * '''Damage:''' You are financially responsible for any damage your animal causes to the property or to others' property.
@@ Line 58: / Line 58: @@
 * The animal is not housebroken.
 * The animal is out of control and the handler does not take effective action to control it.

@@ Line 20: / Line 20: @@
 * '''Damage:''' You are financially responsible for any damage your animal causes to the property or to others' property.
 * '''Health:''' Your animal must be clean, healthy and free of pests.
 == Requirements for Service Animals ==
@@ Line 58: / Line 40: @@
 ** The animal is on our [[Banned Animal List]] (except for large breeds).
 ** The animal is banned according to local ordinance, such as farm animals in Baltimore City.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 = Service Animals & Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) =
-This section outlines the rules and requirements for having a service animal or emotional support animal (ESA) to a Downtownian.com property.
+This section outlines the rules and requirements for having a service animal or emotional support animal (ESA) to a Downtownian.com property.  These rules are designed to comply with federal fair housing and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) laws.
 == Things To Note ==