Quick answer
To get an ESA letter in Maryland, you need an evaluation by a licensed mental health professional who can practice in Maryland. Maryland has no separate ESA documentation statute, so requests rely on the federal Fair Housing Act and Maryland's own fair housing law. Most evaluations finish within a few days.
Key points
- Maryland has no ESA specific documentation statute; the federal Fair Housing Act and state fair housing law apply.
- Your clinician must be licensed to practice in Maryland.
- Maryland law covers untrained support animals independently of HUD.
- Pet ESA Service: $89 one time, 100% back if not approved.
Maryland ESA rules at a glance
This summary reflects Maryland law and federal guidance as of October 8, 2026. Rules change, so check the linked sources before relying on them for a dispute.
| Topic | Maryland |
|---|---|
| State ESA documentation law | No ESA specific documentation statute found |
| Clinician licensing | Licensed to practice in Maryland, where you will be during the evaluation |
| Relationship or waiting period | No state waiting period found |
| Untrained support animals under state law | Covered by state law independently of HUD (see below) |
| Pet fees for assistance animals | No state statute found; see the fees section below |
| Fair housing agency | Maryland Commission on Civil Rights |
| Pet ESA Service price | $89 one pet, $109 two pets, $79 renewal, $99 PSD |
What Maryland law requires for an ESA letter
Maryland has no ESA documentation statute; requests are reviewed under the Maryland Fair Housing Act and federal law. MCCR guidance issued Sept. 8, 2026 says housing providers may not adopt blanket policies rejecting ESAs, requests are evaluated individually, and it addresses permissible documentation, fees, breed restrictions and direct threat.
In practice, a Maryland housing provider can ask for reliable documentation of a disability and the disability related need for the animal when neither is obvious. A letter from a licensed mental health professional who evaluated you, listing their license details, is the documentation most providers expect. A diagnosis does not need to appear in the letter.
How HUD's 2026 change affects Maryland renters
On May 22, 2026, HUD's fair housing office announced it will find reasonable cause in animal accommodation complaints only when the animal is individually trained to perform disability related tasks, and it withdrew its older ESA guidance. The Fair Housing Act itself, HUD's regulation at 24 CFR 100.204 and your right to bring a private lawsuit within two years did not change.
Maryland renters have an extra layer of protection: Yes (agency interpretation). MCCR says an accommodation under the Maryland Fair Housing Act 'may include an emotional support animal, even when the animal has not been individually trained' and that 'a change in federal enforcement policy does not eliminate protections provided under Maryland law.'
If your dog is trained to perform tasks, a psychiatric service dog evaluation may suit you better, because trained animals keep HUD's presumption of reasonableness.
How to get an ESA letter in Maryland
Start with the free assessment. It takes about 5 to 10 minutes. Choose your evaluation, pay once through Stripe, and a licensed mental health professional who can practice in Maryland reviews your answers and talks with you by phone or video when Maryland rules or their judgment call for it.
Most clients hear from their clinician within one business day. When an ESA is clinically appropriate, the signed letter usually arrives by email within 24 to 72 hours of the evaluation.
Your letter lists the clinician's license number, type, issuing state and effective date, so a landlord can check it on the state licensing board website. If your completed assessment is not approved, you receive a 100% refund.
ESA letter cost in Maryland
Pet ESA Service charges the same one time price in Maryland as everywhere else: $89 for one pet, $109 for two, $129 for three and $149 for four. Renewal evaluations are $79 and psychiatric service dog evaluations are $99. There is no subscription, no rush fee and no charge for landlord verification. See the pricing page for what each evaluation includes.
Be cautious of "free ESA letter" offers and instant certificates sold to Maryland residents. A registry listing or ID card is not clinical documentation, and several states say landlords may reject them.
Pet fees and deposits for ESAs in Maryland
Maryland has no statute that specifically bars pet fees for assistance animals. Federally, two court decisions held that waiving a pet fee is not always required as a reasonable accommodation, and HUD cited one of them in 2026. Ask for any fee in writing and check your lease, and contact a local fair housing organization if a fee seems designed to discourage your request.
Where to get help in Maryland
If a housing provider denies a reasonable request, you can contact the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights about filing a complaint under state law, consult a local fair housing organization, or speak with an attorney about a private Fair Housing Act claim, which generally must be filed within two years.
Keep copies of your request, your letter and every reply. Our guides on talking to your landlord and what landlords can ask walk through each step.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get an ESA letter online in Maryland?
Yes. A licensed mental health professional who can practice in Maryland can evaluate you by telehealth. The letter is issued only if the clinician finds an ESA clinically appropriate.
How long does an ESA letter take in Maryland?
Most clients hear from their clinician within one business day, and documentation, when appropriate, usually follows within 24 to 72 hours of the evaluation.
Can a Maryland landlord charge pet rent for an ESA?
Maryland has no statute banning pet fees for assistance animals. Federal courts have split on whether a fee must be waived, so ask for any fee in writing and seek local fair housing advice if it seems excessive.
Is there an ESA registry in Maryland?
No. Neither Maryland nor the federal government runs an ESA registry. Registration and certificate products do not establish a disability related need; a letter from a licensed clinician who evaluated you does.
Do ESA letters expire in Maryland?
Maryland sets no fixed expiration, but many landlords ask for a letter dated within the past year. A $79 renewal evaluation keeps your documentation current.
Sources and further reading
Last reviewed October 8, 2026 by the Pet ESA Service editorial team. General information, not legal advice.
Get evaluated in Maryland
A clinician who can practice in Maryland reviews your assessment. $89 one time, 100% back if you are not approved.