I live in Vancouver but work in Portland. Which state's rules apply to my apartment?

Your home's location decides it. A Vancouver apartment is in Washington, so Washington housing rules apply, and a Washington-licensed clinician is the simplest choice for the letter.

Who licenses dogs and cats in Vancouver?

Clark County Animal Protection and Control licenses pets for the city of Vancouver and unincorporated Clark County. Puppy and kitten licenses are free and last six months.

When does my puppy need a rabies shot?

Clark County requires a rabies vaccine for dogs and cats six months and older, which is also when the paid license begins.

Can my emotional support animal ride C-TRAN?

C-TRAN treats emotional support animals like pets, so they travel in a carrier. Trained service animals ride without one.

Is there a senior discount on pet licenses?

Yes. Residents older than 65 get half off the license fee for one spayed or neutered dog and one spayed or neutered cat per household.

Do I pay before the evaluation?

No. The screening is free, and payment is taken only after a clinician approves you and you choose a plan.

Vancouver · Clark County · Columbia River

Vancouver, Washington ESA and Psychiatric Service Dog Letters

Vancouver sits on the north bank of the Columbia, directly across from Portland, and its renters answer to Washington rules. If your animal supports your mental health, a clinician licensed in Washington can evaluate you online after a free screening.

Free Screening View Pricing

Free, private screening

Washington clinicians

Most letters within 48 hours

Five peaks on a clear day

When the clouds lift, Vancouver can see all of these:

Mount Hood

Mount St. Helens

Mount Rainier

Mount Adams

Mount Jefferson

From Screening to Letter in Vancouver

Take the free screening

A few minutes of questions about your symptoms, your animal and your home.

Get a clinical review

A Washington-licensed professional evaluates you, by telehealth when clinically indicated.

Send the signed letter

After approval and payment, email it to your landlord, manager or HOA.

Letters for Clark County Households

Every letter is written by a clinician licensed in Washington, and the multi-pet letter covers up to three emotional support dogs or cats.

Emotional support animal letter

Supports a reasonable accommodation request for a no-pet or pet-limited home.

Psychiatric service dog letter

Documents the need for a dog trained to do tasks related to a mental health condition.

Optional certificate and ID card

Included only in the bundles, for your own records.

Choose a Vancouver Letter Plan

Select a plan to see its details. Every price here is loaded live from checkout.

ESA Housing Letter For One PetESA letter · 24-48 Hour$149ESA Housing Letter For Multiple PetsTwo or more animals · 24-48 Hour$159PSA LetterPsychiatric service dog · 24-48 Hour$199ESA Letter + Certificate BundleLetter with certificate · 24-48 Hour$175PSD Letter + Certificate + ID CardPSD letter bundle · 24-48 Hour$225

Your selection

Choose a plan

Details appear here.

Continue to Secure Checkout

Free Screening

Clark County Pet License Planner

Enter your animal's birth date to see where it sits on the Clark County timeline for licensing and rabies.

Add a birth date to see the dates that matter.

A Fur Post That Became a City

Vancouver grew around Fort Vancouver, a fur trading outpost on the river. It is now the seat of Clark County and the fourth-largest city in Washington.

1825

Founded around the fort

1857

Incorporated

190,915

Residents in 2020

The bandstand at Fort Vancouver with Mount Hood in the distance — Baltakatei, CC BY-SA 4.0

Esther Short Park and Downtown Walks

A panorama of Esther Short Park in downtown Vancouver — Buhadram, CC BY-SA 4.0

A downtown green

Esther Short Park is the heart of downtown, close to the Arts District the city designated in 2014 and the 1936 Kiggins Theatre. Keep your dog leashed, carry bags and follow the posted park rules.

Red roses blooming in the Esther Short Park rose garden — Leslie Veen, CC BY-SA 2.0

Living on the State Line

Your home sets the rules

Commute to Oregon if you like, but a Vancouver lease is a Washington lease. Washington housing law, which covers support animals in rentals, is what your manager follows.

Pick a Washington clinician

A letter from a provider licensed in Washington is easy for a Vancouver manager to verify on the state's license lookup.

Vancouver and nearby Clark County areas we serve

Downtown VancouverThe WaterfrontEast Vancouver Hazel DellSalmon CreekOrchards

Vancouver Questions

Tap a card to turn it over and read the answer.

Other Washington City Pages

Tacoma Seattle Kent Spokane

General information for Vancouver residents, current as of September 2026, and not legal advice. Licensing is run by Clark County Animal Protection and Control and transit rules by C-TRAN; both can change. The planner is a guide only. Screening does not guarantee a letter. In a crisis, call or text 988.

Your Washington Letter, Ready for a Vancouver Lease

Take the free screening from home. If you qualify, the letter usually follows within a day or two.