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ESAs and Service Animals

UC Berkeley Housing supports students who rely on Service Animals or Emotional Support Animals (ESA). 

How to request: Students requesting an ESA or acknowledging a Service Dog must complete the Service Dog Acknowledgment and Emotional Support Animal Approval Application. Note that allergies or a fear of animals in shared residences does not negate your right to an ESA or Service Dog.

What this means:

  • Submitting the form confirms that you have read, understand, and agree to follow the Animals on Campus Policy.
  • You will be asked to provide additional information to complete your ESA approval or Service Dog acknowledgement.
  • If required, you must provide a copy of your animal’s license within six weeks of moving in.

Requesting acknowledgement of a Service Dog

A Service Dog is trained to do a job or task(s) for a person with a disability. If you are a Service Dog user and want your Service Dog to live in campus housing, complete the Service Dog Acknowledgement and Emotional Support Animal Approval Form linked at the top of this page and submit it to Housing Accommodations. After submitting the form, you will receive an email with instructions to provide the following documentation:

Required service dog documentation

  1. A picture of the dog.
  2. Current veterinary record certifying that the animal has all recommended vaccinations to maintain the animal’s health and prevent contagious diseases. Rabies vaccination is required for dogs.
  3. Local license for any dog as designated by the local authorities. Please refer to the relevant local authority website: Berkeley pet licenses (also required for unaltered cats), Albany pet licenses, Emeryville dog licenses. Proof of license must be provided to housingaccommodations@berkeley.edu within six weeks of moving in.

Applying for approval of an Emotional Support Animal (ESA)

An Emotional Support Animal (ESA) provides comfort, emotional support, and companionship to a person with a disability. Unlike Service Dogs, ESAs are not trained to perform specific tasks. Residents are generally allowed one ESA, and approval must be obtained before the animal resides in campus housing. ESA approval is animal-specific and non-transferable.

If you are an ESA owner and want your ESA to live in campus housing, complete the Service Dog Acknowledgement and Emotional Support Animal Approval Form linked at the top of this page and submit it to Housing Accommodations. After submitting the form you will receive an email with instructions to provide the following documentation:

Required ESA documentation

  1. A picture of the animal.
  2. Current veterinary record certifying that the animal has all recommended vaccinations to maintain the animal’s health and prevent contagious diseases. Rabies vaccination is required for dogs and cats. 
  3. Letter from a medical or mental health professional. You may share the Medical Professional’s Instructions PDF with your provider.
  4. Local license for any dog as designated by the local authorities. Please refer to the relevant local authority website: Berkeley pet licenses (also required for unaltered cats), Albany pet licenses, Emeryville dog licenses. Proof of license should be provided to housingaccommodations@berkeley.edu within six weeks of moving in.

ESA approval application review process

The ESA approval process ensures that students who need an Emotional Support Animal have their requests reviewed fairly in accordance with university policy.

  1. Review of request: The Housing Disability Specialist will review your request for completeness and contact you if any additional information or documentation is needed.
  2. Notification of decision: You will be notified by email of the Housing Accommodations team’s decision to approve or deny your ESA request pursuant to university policy.
  3. Annual renewal: Each year, when you renew your housing or reapply for housing, you must provide:
    • Current proof of vaccinations
    • Current license (for dogs)
    • Resubmit the ESA approval request form, acknowledging the guidelines
  4. If a request is denied: The Housing Accommodations team will work with you to set appropriate timelines for finding alternative housing. ESA approval may be denied if:
    • Required steps or information are missing
    • Approval would cause an undue financial burden
    • Approval would fundamentally alter any university programs
    • Approval would create a direct threat to the health or safety of other animals or people
    • The animal is dangerous, poisonous, and/or illegal
  5. Appeals process: You may appeal the decision of the Housing Accommodations team in writing within five business days of the date on the decision email. Appeals must be submitted to the Housing Accommodations team by emailing housingaccommodations@berkeley.edu and must include one of the following specific reasons for reconsideration:
    • New information supportive of the animal as an accommodation that was not available at the time of the initial review; or
    • A procedural error that unfairly affected the process.

Residential community guidelines for approved animals

The following guidelines apply to all approved Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) and Acknowledged Service Dogs who live in campus housing. Residents are generally allowed one ESA, unless otherwise approved. Exceptions to these guidelines may be granted pursuant to university policy.

Bringing your animal to campus 

Before your animal can reside in campus housing, you must:

  • Secure ESA approval or Service Dog acknowledgement from the Housing Accommodations team. 
  • Provide current veterinary records showing all recommended vaccinations. Rabies vaccination is required for dogs and cats.
  • Ensure dogs and cats are at least six months old and spayed or neutered. ESAs must not be pregnant.
  • Provide a local dog license as designated by the local authorities. Please refer to the relevant local authority website: Berkeley pet licenses (also required for unaltered cats), Albany pet licenses, Emeryville dog licenses. Proof of license must be provided to housingaccommodations@berkeley.edu within six weeks of moving in.
  • ESA dogs and Service Dogs must wear ID tags with a contact phone number and vaccine information.

Where your animal can be

  • Animals must not create unreasonable disruptions through noise, odor, or behavior.
  • Animals must stay in private residential areas (room, suite, apartment, or enclosed balcony) unless transported in a carrier or controlled by leash/harness.
  • Cats may not go outdoors unless in a carrier or on a leash/harness.
  • In shared living spaces, animals must stay in the owner’s bedroom when unsupervised.
  • ESAs are not permitted in common areas of residence halls, including bathrooms, lounges, kitchens, recreation rooms, and computer labs. 
  • Service Dogs that cannot be leashed while performing essential tasks must still be under the control of their owner or user.

Caring for your animal

  • Waste management:
    • Indoor waste (e.g., cat litter) must be contained in a litter box. Litter boxes should be placed on mats to protect surfaces. In a shared apartment, litter boxes must be kept in the ESA owner’s room. Used litter should be bagged and disposed of in trash receptacles.
    • Outdoor dog waste must be promptly collected, bagged, and disposed of in outdoor trash. 
    • Waste may not exceed reasonable standards and/or create unreasonable disruptions for residents (registered students and resident family members) and UC Berkeley staff.
    • Do not compost dog and cat waste. 
    • ESA litter boxes must not be washed in sinks or shared bathing areas.
    • Balconies and patios are not allowed areas for elimination of animal waste.
  • Bathing animals in shared campus facilities is not allowed; students must use off-campus facilities.
  • UC Berkeley staff may designate specific areas for waste elimination in common spaces. 

Your responsibility as a resident

  • Ensure your animal does not interfere with other residents’ activities. 
  • Residents are financially responsible for any property damage or injury caused by their animal. You will be charged the actual damage costs to repair; estimated costs may include:
    • Flooring damage: $600–$15,000
    • Doors and walls damage: $150–$10,000
    • Furniture damage: $150–$10,000
    • Mattress damage: $200–$300
    • Odor damage: $50–$1000
  • Animals must not be left unattended for extended periods. Animals left unsupervised may be moved to a local shelter/boarding facility at the resident’s expense. Attempts to speak with you and your emergency contact and off-campus contact will be made first.
  • Your residence may be inspected for fleas, ticks, or pests. Residents are responsible for any treatment and cleaning costs. 
  • Notify UC Berkeley Housing if your ESA or Service Dog is no longer needed or no longer in residence. 
  • Any changes to your ESA or Service Dog (adding, replacing, or requesting a new acknowledgement) require a new request form. 
  • Housing may relocate residents and animals as needed, consistent with housing agreements. 
  • Having an approved ESA or Service Dog does not prevent another student in the same residence from also having an approved animal if needed. 
  • Violations of these guidelines may be addressed through the Residential Conduct or Student Conduct processes.
  • Annual confirmation is required: fill out the request form, acknowledge the guidelines, and provide updated licenses and vaccination records.