Service Animals and ESAs

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. These rules are designed to comply with federal fair housing and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) laws.

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 up-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.

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.

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.