Get an ESA Letter in Iowa From a Licensed Therapist

Who qualifies for an ESA letter in Iowa?

You may qualify if a mental or emotional health condition affects your daily life and an emotional support animal helps. Common qualifying conditions include:

• Anxiety disorders and panic disorder
• Depression and other mood disorders
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• ADHD, OCD and autism spectrum conditions
• Other conditions a clinician diagnoses under the DSM-5

Iowa ESA laws and your housing rights

The Fair Housing Act applies in Iowa

Housing providers in Iowa must consider a reasonable accommodation for an assistance animal under 42 U.S.C. § 3604(f)(3)(B). You can ask for an exception to no-pet rules, pet fees and breed or weight limits as part of that request. Since May 2026, HUD presumes such a request is reasonable only when the animal is trained to do disability-related tasks, so state law and your landlord's own policy also matter.

Iowa's 30-day rule (Senate File 2268)

Senate File 2268 (2024) rewrote Iowa Code §§ 216.8B and 216.8C. When a landlord asks for documentation, a licensed professional must issue a written finding that states whether you have a disability and a disability-related need for the animal, certifies whether the provider-client relationship has existed, in person or by telehealth, for at least 30 days, and includes the license number and type, the issue date and expiration date, and whether a separate fee was charged for the finding. The finding is valid for 12 months or the term of the lease, whichever is longer.

What Iowa landlords may and may not request

Under Iowa Code § 216.8B, a landlord may ask for supporting information only when the need is not readily apparent, may not request information that discloses a diagnosis, the severity of a disability or any medical records, and must evaluate and respond to the request within a reasonable time. Registrations, ID cards, patches and certificates, whether bought online or in person, are not sufficient to establish a disability-related need.

What a Iowa landlord may and may not ask

A landlord may ask for reliable documentation of your need and verify your clinician's license, but may not demand your diagnosis or medical records. A denial is allowed only case by case, for a direct threat, substantial damage or undue burden.

Where to file a housing complaint in Iowa

If a housing provider refuses a reasonable accommodation, you can file with Iowa Office of Civil Rights (Iowa Civil Rights Commission) (icrc.iowa.gov/) or with HUD's Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity at 1-800-669-9777. Complaints to HUD must generally be filed within one year.