Quick answer
To get an ESA letter in South Carolina, you need an evaluation by a licensed mental health professional who can practice in South Carolina. South Carolina lets landlords ask two questions and request documentation, which is sufficient when it shows a disability and that the animal provides assistance or emotional support. Most evaluations finish within a few days.
Key points
- South Carolina has a state law on ESA documentation: S.C. Code § 31-21-70(N), added by 2019 Act No. 44 (S.281), effective May 16, 2019.
- Your clinician must be licensed to practice in South Carolina.
- South Carolina law covers untrained support animals independently of HUD.
- Pet ESA Service: $89 one time, 100% back if not approved.
South Carolina ESA rules at a glance
This summary reflects South Carolina law and federal guidance as of October 8, 2026. Rules change, so check the linked sources before relying on them for a dispute.
| Topic | South Carolina |
|---|---|
| State ESA documentation law | Yes. S.C. Code § 31-21-70(N), added by 2019 Act No. 44 (S.281), effective May 16, 2019 |
| Clinician licensing | Licensed to practice in South Carolina, 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 | South Carolina Human Affairs Commission |
| Pet ESA Service price | $89 one pet, $109 two pets, $79 renewal, $99 PSD |
What South Carolina law requires for an ESA letter
To decide whether a non service animal is a reasonable accommodation, a landlord may ask whether the person has a disability that substantially limits a major life activity and whether the person has a disability related need for the animal, and may request documentation to verify the answers. Documentation is deemed sufficient if it establishes the disability and that the animal will provide some type of disability related assistance or emotional support; no provider type, relationship period or penalty is specified.
Source: S.C. Code § 31-21-70(N), added by 2019 Act No. 44 (S.281), effective May 16, 2019. Read the source.
How HUD's 2026 change affects South Carolina 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.
South Carolina renters have an extra layer of protection: SCHAC stated on Aug. 13, 2026 that 'HUD has changed how it enforces federal law, not what South Carolina law requires' and that its evaluation does not depend on training (as reported by Disability Rights South Carolina).
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 South Carolina
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 South Carolina reviews your answers and talks with you by phone or video when South Carolina 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 South Carolina
Pet ESA Service charges the same one time price in South Carolina 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 South Carolina 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 South Carolina
South Carolina 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 South Carolina
If a housing provider denies a reasonable request, you can contact the South Carolina Human Affairs Commission 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 South Carolina?
Yes. A licensed mental health professional who can practice in South Carolina 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 South Carolina?
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 South Carolina landlord charge pet rent for an ESA?
South Carolina 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 South Carolina?
No. Neither South Carolina 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 South Carolina?
South Carolina 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 South Carolina
A clinician who can practice in South Carolina reviews your assessment. $89 one time, 100% back if you are not approved.