05/28/2026
Did you know Kentucky law protects your right to request an assistance animal in housing, including Emotional Support Animals (ESAs)? 🐾
Under KRS 383.085, housing providers must consider reasonable accommodation requests for assistance animals for people with disabilities. This includes both trained service animals and Emotional Support Animals that help alleviate symptoms or effects of a disability.
A few important things to know:
✔️ Assistance animals are not considered pets under fair housing law
✔️ Landlords cannot charge pet fees, pet rent, or pet deposits for assistance animals
✔️ Housing providers cannot deny an assistance animal simply because of breed, size, or a “no pets” policy
✔️ You may be asked to provide reliable documentation from a legitimate healthcare provider with whom you have a therapeutic relationship if your disability-related need for the animal is not obvious
✔️ Tenants are still responsible for any damage caused by the animal
If you believe your housing rights have been violated because of an assistance animal request, you may have protections under the Fair Housing Act and Kentucky law.