ESA Letter in Florida: Requirements, Laws & How to Get One

Florida is one of four states with a stricter ESA-letter law layered on top of the federal Fair Housing Act. If you live in Miami, Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, Fort Lauderdale, St. Petersburg, or anywhere else in the state, this guide explains what's required, what your landlord must accept, and how to apply through a process that complies with Florida Statute 760.27.

Florida Statute 760.27 explained

Florida enacted Statute 760.27 in 2020 to address concerns about ESA letters issued without legitimate clinical relationships. Under the law, a Florida housing provider may request "supporting information" from the resident requesting an ESA accommodation. That information must come from a licensed health-care provider who has "personal knowledge" of the patient's disability — a phrase the legislature deliberately chose to require something more than a five-minute online questionnaire.

The law also makes it a misdemeanor to knowingly misrepresent that you are entitled to an ESA accommodation. This applies to tenants who fabricate disability claims and to providers who issue documentation without proper evaluation.

What this means for your application

For Florida residents applying through CertifiedPetSupport, the process includes:

1. Initial questionnaire — your standard clinical intake, just as in any state.
2. Clinician assessment — a licensed Florida mental health professional reviews your case. For new clients, this includes a brief structured follow-up (typically a video consultation) to satisfy the personal-knowledge requirement.
3. Letter issuance — once the assessment is complete, your signed ESA letter is delivered as a PDF.

For most Florida applicants, the entire process takes 24-48 hours rather than the standard two hours. The follow-up step is what makes the letter compliant — and what makes it credible if your landlord verifies it.

Your housing rights in Florida

Once you have a compliant ESA letter, your rights under the Fair Housing Act apply throughout Florida:

• Your landlord must allow your ESA in your unit, even in no-pet buildings
• Pet rent and pet deposits cannot be charged for the ESA
• Breed restrictions and weight limits do not apply
• Condo and HOA pet policies are subject to the same accommodation requirements

Florida-specific note: many condo associations in Miami, Sarasota, and Naples have aggressive pet policies. The FHA preempts these policies for legitimate ESA accommodations, but expect that some HOAs will request to verify the letter directly with the issuing clinician. This is permitted under Florida law — and our letters include the clinician's license number for that purpose.

Florida cities served

We serve all 67 Florida counties. Common cities include:

• Miami / Miami-Dade County
• Tampa / Hillsborough County
• Orlando / Orange County
• Jacksonville / Duval County
• St. Petersburg / Pinellas County
• Fort Lauderdale / Broward County
• Tallahassee / Leon County
• Sarasota, Naples, Gainesville, and beyond

Specific Florida concerns

HOA and condo associations

Florida has more condo and HOA-governed housing than most states. Under the FHA, these associations are housing providers and must grant reasonable accommodation. They cannot deny an ESA based on the association's pet policy — but they may verify your letter and may impose reasonable rules (leashing in common areas, cleanup, etc.).

Hurricane evacuation

During declared emergencies, Florida law and federal disaster guidance generally require that emergency shelters accept service animals and ESAs accompanied by their handlers. If you're evacuating, bring your ESA letter with you.

Snowbirds and seasonal renters

If you're a seasonal Florida resident and your ESA letter was issued in another state, the letter is generally still valid for FHA purposes, but the issuing clinician must hold an active license. If you're moving permanently to Florida, plan to renew with a Florida-licensed clinician.

How to apply

1. Start your application online — it takes about ten minutes.
2. Select your package. Most Florida applicants choose Signature ($199) for the certificate and ID card.
3. Complete the clinical questionnaire and pay through Stripe.
4. Schedule a brief follow-up consultation with the clinician (typically within one business day).
5. Receive your signed letter and any package extras as PDFs in your email.

What if my landlord rejects the letter?

Florida landlords occasionally push back on ESA accommodations. If this happens:

1. Ask for the rejection in writing with the specific reason.
2. Confirm with us that the clinician is reachable for verification — this resolves most disputes.
3. Consult a Florida tenant-rights attorney before filing a HUD fair-housing complaint.

The Florida Commission on Human Relations also handles fair-housing complaints under state law and works in coordination with HUD.

Common Florida questions

Does my Florida HOA have to accept my ESA? Yes, if the HOA-governed property is residential, the FHA applies and the association must grant reasonable accommodation.

Can my landlord charge me a "verification fee" or "ESA fee"? No. Florida law does not permit a separate ESA processing fee, and any fee that functions as a pet-related charge for an ESA is not enforceable.

What if I'm renting through Airbnb in Florida? Short-term rentals (under 30 days) generally fall outside FHA coverage. Confirm pet policy with the host directly.

Is the letter valid in other states if I travel? The letter itself is just documentation of a clinical recommendation. It is generally accepted by housing providers in any state during the validity period (12 months), as long as the issuing clinician's license remains active.

Read more

• What Is an ESA Letter and Do You Need One?
• ESA Letter Requirements by State
• ESA vs Psychiatric Service Dog
• How It Works
• Pricing

This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Florida law changes; consult a Florida-licensed attorney for guidance specific to your situation.