- Price
- $129 for up to 2 pets; $199 for 3 or more
- Delivery
- Signed letter emailed within 24 hours after approval
- State law
- N.D.C.C. 47-16-07.5 sets documentation rules
- Where to complain
- North Dakota Department of Labor and Human Rights
How North Dakota ESA Letter works
Book a telehealth evaluation and discuss your symptoms and your animal's role with a licensed clinician. If they find you qualify, a signed letter on letterhead with their license type, number and state is emailed within 24 hours after approval. If you don't qualify, no letter is issued. Note that North Dakota law limits documentation to providers who aren't operating in the state solely to produce animal paperwork.
Who it’s for, and who it isn’t
May be a fit
- North Dakota renters asking a landlord with a no-pets policy to allow their animal
- People whose mental health condition is eased by their animal
- Tenants who were asked for a pet deposit on an animal they need as an accommodation
- Households with more than one support animal
Usually not a fit
- Public access; ESAs can't go into shops or restaurants
- Flights; airlines may treat an ESA as a pet
- Anyone without a disability-related need; false claims are an infraction in North Dakota
- Anyone under 18
What’s included
- Telehealth evaluation with a licensed clinician
- Signed letter on letterhead with the clinician's license type, number and state
- $129 for up to 2 animals, or $199 for 3 or more
- Letter emailed within 24 hours after approval
Possible side effects
- No medical side effects; the main risk is a landlord questioning the documentation under state rules
- Untrained ESAs are reviewed case by case under HUD's May 2026 guidance
- Fraudulent documentation can lead to eviction and a damage fee of up to $1,000
This isn’t a complete list. Your clinician reviews risks, interactions and warnings with you before prescribing. In an emergency, call 911.
What the evidence says
The Fair Housing Act and 24 CFR 100.204 require reasonable accommodations, and HUD's May 2026 guidance reviews untrained ESAs case by case. North Dakota builds on that: N.D.C.C. 47-16-07.5 allows a landlord that bans pets to request reliable documentation connecting your disability to the animal unless the need is already obvious or known.
North Dakota law on assistance animals in rentals
N.D.C.C. 47-16-07.5 lets a landlord with a no-pets rule request reliable documentation that confirms your disability and links it to the animal. If the need is already obvious or known, that request isn't allowed.
The statute also limits who can supply the documentation. It may come from a physician or another medical professional, as long as that provider isn't operating in North Dakota only to produce service or assistance animal paperwork.
Separately, Section 47-16-07.1 says no pet deposit may be charged for a companion animal a disabled tenant needs as a reasonable accommodation.
Fraud rules under N.D.C.C. 47-16-07.6
- Knowingly making a false disability claim to get a housing accommodation is an infraction
- So is giving a landlord fraudulent documentation
- Once a tenant pleads guilty or is convicted, eviction is allowed, and the landlord may also seek a damage fee, capped at $1,000, where fake documentation was involved
If your request is denied in North Dakota
You have one year from the last date of harm to file a housing discrimination complaint with the North Dakota Department of Labor and Human Rights. Federal complaints go to HUD.
Prescription treatments are available only to eligible patients after a clinical evaluation by an independently licensed clinician.
North Dakota ESA Letter: common questions
Who can write ESA documentation in North Dakota?
A physician or other medical professional, provided they aren't operating in North Dakota solely to create service or assistance animal documents.
Can a North Dakota landlord charge a pet deposit for my ESA?
No. Section 47-16-07.1 rules out pet deposits for a companion animal that a disabled tenant needs as an accommodation.
When can a landlord ask for documentation?
When they have a no-pets policy and your disability or need isn't already obvious or known.
What happens if someone fakes a need?
It is an infraction, and after a conviction the landlord may evict and collect up to $1,000 if fraudulent documents were used.
How long do I have to file a complaint?
One year from the last date of harm, with the Department of Labor and Human Rights.
How much is the letter?
$129 covers 1 or 2 pets and $199 covers 3 or more.
Sources
We cite government agencies, professional societies and peer-reviewed research. See our editorial policy.
- North Dakota Century Code, chapter 47-16 (assistance animals in rentals)North Dakota Legislative Branch
- Housing discrimination complaints and civil rights informationNorth Dakota Department of Labor and Human Rights
- Enforcement guidance on requests to use an animal as a reasonable accommodation (May 2026)U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development