When HUD narrowed its federal enforcement in May 2026, the Maine Human Rights Commission said the change "changes nothing in Maine": state law still treats emotional support animals as assistance animals. Take the free screening, and a clinician licensed in Maine decides whether an anxiety-related letter is supported.
The federal tide went out in May 2026; Maine's own law stayed at high water.
Choose who wrote your determination and what the landlord asked for. If a request was turned down, add the date to see the last day to reach the Commission.
Clear pricing for emotional support animal and psychiatric service dog letters written by a licensed mental health professional. Your screening is free, and you pay only if a clinician supports a letter and you decide to continue.
Best option for most renters with one emotional support animal
For people who have more than one emotional support animal in the home
For people who may qualify for a task-trained psychiatric service dog
Save more with combined document bundles
ESA letter and certificate in one package
Complete PSD documentation: letter, certificate and ID card
Three pines along the path, one for each step.
The screening asks how anxiety shows up at home, how the animal fits your days and what housing you have.
A licensed professional reviews your answers and meets you by telehealth when that is clinically suitable.
If the need is supported you choose a plan and the letter is sent digitally; if not, you are not charged.
Under 5 MRSA 4553(1-H), an assistance animal is one determined necessary to mitigate the effects of a physical or mental disability by one of these licensees, who must know of the disability-related need for the animal:
The second half of the definition covers animals individually trained to do work or perform tasks, which is where psychiatric service dogs fit.
Section 4582-A puts the burden on the housing provider, who must show one of these by defense:
The animal poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others.
Its use would cause substantial physical damage to the property of others.
It would substantially interfere with others' reasonable enjoyment of the housing.
17 MRSA 1314-A applies to anyone who knowingly passes off an animal as a service animal or an assistance animal. The statute lists four ways it happens:
Making documents that falsely say an animal is a service or assistance animal.
Providing such documents to another person.
Fitting a pet with the harness, collar, vest or sign used for service animals.
Calling an animal a service animal before it has completed task training.
Up to $1,000may be adjudged for each occurrence, which is why we evaluate rather than sell paperwork.
1-888-568-1112, staffed around the clock by trained crisis workers by phone, text and chat, with mobile crisis teams for situations that cannot be settled by phone.
Call or text from anywhere in the state; dial 911 if someone is in immediate danger.
Housing complaints within 300 days of the date of discrimination.
Six questions, each tucked into its own mitten.
Yes, according to the Maine Human Rights Commission. It says HUD's May 2026 memorandum changes nothing in Maine because the Maine Human Rights Act is an independent state law whose definition of assistance animal includes emotional support animals.
No. Under 5 MRSA 4582-A, the use of an assistance animal may not be conditioned on a fee or security deposit, although you are liable for any damage the animal does to the premises.
Maine law names a physician, psychologist, physician associate, nurse practitioner, licensed social worker, licensed professional counselor or other licensed health professional with knowledge of your disability-related need for the animal.
Only if the landlord shows the animal poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others, would cause substantial physical damage to the property of others, or would substantially interfere with others' reasonable enjoyment of the housing.
The Maine Human Rights Commission says a complaint must be filed within 300 days of the date of discrimination.
Yes. Knowingly misrepresenting an animal as a service animal or an assistance animal is a civil violation under 17 MRSA 1314-A, with a fine of up to $1,000 for each occurrence.
Five buckets on the sugar maples, each catching another Maine page.
From a Portland walk-up to a farmhouse rental near Bangor, a clinician licensed in Maine can tell you whether a letter fits your anxiety and your home.
