Quick answer
To get an ESA letter in South Dakota, you need an evaluation by a licensed mental health professional who can practice in South Dakota. South Dakota accepts documentation from a licensed health care provider who does not operate in the state solely to certify animals. Most evaluations finish within a few days.
Key points
- South Dakota has a state law on ESA documentation: SDCL §§ 43-32-33 to 43-32-36 (SL 2018, ch. 259).
- Your clinician must be licensed to practice in South Dakota.
- HUD's 2026 memo limits federal enforcement to trained animals, but the Fair Housing Act and private lawsuits remain.
- Pet ESA Service: $89 one time, 100% back if not approved.
South Dakota ESA rules at a glance
This summary reflects South Dakota 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 Dakota |
|---|---|
| State ESA documentation law | Yes. SDCL §§ 43-32-33 to 43-32-36 (SL 2018, ch. 259) |
| Clinician licensing | Licensed to practice in South Dakota, where you will be during the evaluation |
| Relationship or waiting period | No state waiting period found |
| Untrained support animals under state law | Not separately addressed; federal FHA and state fair housing law apply |
| Pet fees for assistance animals | No state statute found; see the fees section below |
| Fair housing agency | South Dakota Division of Human Rights, Department of Labor and Regulation |
| Pet ESA Service price | $89 one pet, $109 two pets, $79 renewal, $99 PSD |
What South Dakota law requires for an ESA letter
A landlord may require reliable supporting documentation when a tenant asserts a disability requiring an emotional support, therapy, assistance or service animal, unless the disability or need is readily apparent or known; it must confirm the disability and its relationship to the need and come from a licensed health care provider who does not operate in South Dakota solely to provide certifications for service or assistance animals. A tenant found to have knowingly made a false claim or provided fraudulent documentation may be evicted and charged a damage fee up to $1,000.
Source: SDCL §§ 43-32-33 to 43-32-36 (SL 2018, ch. 259). Read the source.
How HUD's 2026 change affects South Dakota 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 Dakota has not published a separate position on untrained support animals. Your request still rests on the Fair Housing Act, South Dakota's fair housing law, and the housing provider's willingness to accommodate, which is why clear, verifiable documentation matters.
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 Dakota
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 Dakota reviews your answers and talks with you by phone or video when South Dakota 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.
Before you order in South Dakota: South Dakota excludes providers who operate in the state solely to certify animals. A letter from a provider who knows you is usually the strongest route in South Dakota.
ESA letter cost in South Dakota
Pet ESA Service charges the same one time price in South Dakota 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 Dakota 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 Dakota
South Dakota 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 Dakota
If a housing provider denies a reasonable request, you can contact the South Dakota Division of Human Rights, Department of Labor and Regulation 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 Dakota?
Yes. A licensed mental health professional who can practice in South Dakota 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 Dakota?
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 Dakota landlord charge pet rent for an ESA?
South Dakota 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 Dakota?
No. Neither South Dakota 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 Dakota?
South Dakota 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 Dakota
A clinician who can practice in South Dakota reviews your assessment. $89 one time, 100% back if you are not approved.