Seattle Emotional Support Animal and Service Dog Letters
Plenty of Seattleites rent, and many buildings still say no to pets. If a dog or cat helps you manage a mental health condition, a free screening shows whether a Washington-licensed clinician can support an exception, with the letter delivered by email.
We serve every Seattle neighborhood
Three Steps for Seattle Renters
You can start on your phone during a bus ride. Nothing is charged until a clinician approves you.
Answer the screening
A short set of private questions about how you feel, your animal and where you rent.
Talk with a clinician
A mental health professional licensed in Washington reviews it and holds a telehealth visit when clinically indicated.
Forward your letter
Approved clients pay and receive a signed letter to send to the property manager or HOA.
What You Can Get in Seattle
Seattle Letter Prices
Prices come from our live plan list, so they match what you pay at checkout.
Check the Pet Charges on a Seattle Lease
Enter what the listing asks for. The result shows which charges fall away for an assistance animal and, for a regular pet, the city's deposit cap.
Your result
Select Check Charges to see the result.
Seattle at a Glance
Seattle sits on a narrow strip between Puget Sound and Lake Washington. Its Lushootseed name refers to a "little crossing-over place", a village near today's King Street Station.
737,015
Residents in the 2020 census.
485 parks
About 12 percent of the city's land.
City licensing
The Seattle Animal Shelter licenses dogs and cats.
County seat
Seattle is the seat of King County.
Parks, Leashes and Your Animal
Gas Works Park, Discovery Park and hundreds of smaller spaces are part of daily life with a dog here. The rules are strict and patrolled.
Leash everywhere else
Dogs stay leashed in parks unless they are inside a designated off-leash area.
No pets on park beaches
Pets are kept off park beaches, children's play areas and organized athletic fields.
Service dogs are different
A trained service dog working for its handler is not treated as a pet. An ESA follows the pet rules outdoors.
Why a Washington License Matters
Easy to verify
A Seattle manager can look up a Washington license number on the state's public lookup.
State housing rules
Washington's anti-discrimination law covers support animals in rentals, not only trained dogs.
No registry exists
Online registrations and ID numbers are not proof. A provider's letter is.
Seattle Renters Ask
Can a Seattle landlord charge pet rent for my emotional support animal?
Washington's Human Rights Commission says an approved assistance animal is not a pet, so pet rent, pet fees and a pet deposit should not apply. A standard deposit charged to every tenant still can, and you remain responsible for any damage.
Does my Seattle building need a special form from my clinician?
No particular form is required. A letter from a licensed provider that explains the disability-related need for the animal is the usual proof. Ask the manager in writing what they want to see.
Do I have to license my dog or cat in Seattle?
Yes. The Seattle Animal Shelter licenses dogs, cats, potbellied pigs and miniature goats, and a building may ask to see that your animal complies.
Where can my dog run off leash?
Only inside the city's designated off-leash areas. Everywhere else in Seattle parks, dogs stay on a leash, and pets are kept off park beaches, play areas and athletic fields.
I just moved from out of state. Is my old letter still good?
It may be, if it is recent and from a licensed provider who knows your situation. Many Seattle renters get a new evaluation so the letter reflects their current needs and a Washington address.
How quickly can I have a letter?
The screening takes a few minutes. After approval and payment, most letters arrive by email within 24 to 48 hours.
Around Puget Sound
General information for Seattle residents, current as of September 2026, and not legal advice. Park rules are set by Seattle Parks and Recreation and licensing by the Seattle Animal Shelter; both can change. The fee checker is a guide, not a ruling on your lease. Screening does not guarantee a letter. In a crisis, call or text 988.
Keep Your Animal in Your Seattle Home
A free screening today can mean a signed Washington letter before your next lease conversation.
