ESA Laws in New Hampshire
As long as you have a legitimate ESA letter, there should be no restrictions on the type of properties in which you can live with your emotional support animal in New Hampshire – including apartments that have “no pets” policies. The federal Fair Housing Act (FHA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) require landlords to make reasonable accommodations so that residents with disabilities can live with their assistance animals (regardless of whether they are service animals or emotional support animals). Housing providers must also waive any pet charges and weight or breed restrictions that they typically have in place.
When it comes to access to public places, however, there are different rules for service animals than for emotional support animals. Whereas service animals are legally guaranteed access to virtually all venues and establishments, the decision to allow emotional support animals is made on a case-by-case basis, and is entirely at the discretion of the establishment’s owner or manager. There is no legal requirement for the owner to admit your emotional support animal, nor is there one that ensures your support animal can always accompany you to work or on a commercial aircraft (according to the Air Carrier Access Act).
If you want to bring your ESA to your workplace, fly with your ESA, or visit an establishment that is not specifically pet-friendly, your best option is to show your ESA letter to the person in charge (i.e., your boss, the airline representative, or the venue manager) and see whether they will accommodate your needs. You will have to accept their decision, whatever it may be, but it never hurts to ask!
For air travel in particular, be prepared to make alternative arrangements if you want to fly with your ESA. This could involve paying the relevant fees so that they can travel as an ordinary pet, subject to the airline’s policies.