Burien ESA and Psychiatric Service Dog Letters
Burien sits on Puget Sound just south of Seattle and northwest of Sea-Tac Airport, and it runs its own city pet licensing. If an animal helps you manage a mental health condition, a free screening shows whether a Washington-licensed clinician can write your letter.
How Burien got its names
This is truly a sunny dale.
A popular local tale says an early settler named the area Sunnydale with those words. The town later took the name of Gottlieb Burian, who arrived with his wife Emma in 1884.
Your Burien Letter in Three Steps
Free screening
Share how you feel, what your animal does for you and where you live.
Licensed review
A Washington-licensed clinician reviews it and schedules telehealth when clinically indicated.
Letter by email
After approval and payment, the signed letter comes straight to your inbox.
Burien Letter Services
ESA housing letter
For rentals with a no-pet policy, limits or pet charges.
Two or three animals
A multi-pet letter covering up to three dogs or cats.
Psychiatric service dog
For a dog trained to do tasks for a mental health condition.
Certificate and ID
Optional record items in the bundle plans.
Burien Plans at a Glance
Hover or tab through the panels to highlight a plan. Every price comes live from our checkout.
Request Follow-Up Planner
Sent your accommodation request? Enter the date and the reply time you asked for, and see when to follow up.
Your follow-up dates
- Enter when you sent the request and select Plan My Dates.
From Unincorporated Area to City
For decades Burien was unincorporated King County. Worries about the airport's third runway and fast apartment growth pushed residents to vote for cityhood, and Burien incorporated on February 28, 1993. An annexation of part of North Highline in 2010 grew the population considerably.
Seahurst, Town Square and the City License
Burien pet license basics
- Every dog and cat needs a city license, renewed yearly.
- Under six months $15, altered $30, unaltered $60.
- Town Square houses the library, with City Hall on the top floor.
Burien Neighborhoods We Serve
Why Burien Renters Choose Washington Clinicians
A license on public record
Your landlord can confirm a Washington credential on the state's lookup.
Covered in rentals
Washington law protects emotional support animals in housing.
No extra pet charges
Pet deposits and pet rent do not apply to an approved assistance animal.
Burien Questions and Answers
Is a Burien pet license the same as a King County license?
No. Burien issues its own pet licenses, and the city requires one for every dog and cat. Proof of rabies vaccination is needed the first time.
How much is a Burien pet license?
A license for a dog or cat under six months is $15. Spayed or neutered pets cost $30 a year and unaltered pets $60, and a replacement tag is $5.
Is there a lifetime tag for seniors?
Yes. Residents 65 and older, and residents with a disability, can get a non-transferable tag for the lifetime of an altered pet for a one-time fee.
Where can I renew my Burien pet license?
Online through the city's Pet Track system, by mail, or in person at Burien City Hall, 400 SW 152nd Street, Suite 300.
Can I send my request through the tenant portal?
Yes. Any written method works, whether that is a portal, email or a letter. Save a copy or screenshot showing the date you sent it.
How long can my landlord take to answer?
Washington law does not set a specific number of days, so ask for a written answer by a date you choose and follow up once it passes. The planner on this page lays out the dates.
Nearby South King County Pages
General information for Burien residents, current as of September 2026, and not legal advice. Pet licensing is set by the City of Burien; fees and rules can change. The follow-up planner is a scheduling aid, not a legal deadline. Screening does not guarantee a letter. In a crisis, call or text 988.
Begin a Burien Screening
Answer a few questions, and a Washington-licensed clinician will let you know whether a letter fits.
