Texas Assistance Animal Evaluations: Laws, Process and Local Guides
Texas passed no new ESA law this year, but the federal shift still reaches every Texas lease. Start here to see which rules apply to an emotional support animal, which apply to a trained service dog, and which of our thirty Texas guides fits your situation.
Texas at a Glance
Four facts shape almost every Texas assistance animal question in 2026.
The Federal Change, Seen From Texas
HUD withdrew its assistance animal guidance in September 2025 and rescinded its 2020 notice on May 22, 2026. Because Texas has no ESA statute of its own, the federal posture matters more here than in states with their own rules.
What changed
- HUD now pursues animal complaints only for individually trained animals
- Untrained ESA requests are not presumed reasonable by HUD
- HUD plans rules that follow the ADA service animal definition
What did not change
- The Fair Housing Act and HUD's existing regulations
- Private fair housing lawsuits, generally within two years
- Courts, which decide requests case by case
- Texas Chapter 121 rules for trained service animals
Texas Rules for Trained Service Animals
Human Resources Code Chapter 121 is the firmest ground in Texas. It covers a canine specially trained or equipped to help a person with a disability.
Housing
No extra fee or deposit for a service animal. The handler pays for damage beyond normal wear.
Public places
Service animals in training with an approved trainer cannot be refused entry to public facilities.
Misrepresentation
Section 121.006 makes faking a service animal a misdemeanor with a fine and 30 hours of community service.
How a Texas Evaluation Works With Us
A clinical process, not a certificate. A licensed clinician decides whether documentation is appropriate.
Free screening
A short questionnaire about your symptoms, daily limits and housing situation.
Clinical evaluation
A licensed provider reviews your history and speaks with you about your needs.
Clinical decision
Documentation is issued only when the clinician finds a disability-related need.
Using it well
Our Texas guides explain how to present a request to a landlord.
All Thirty Texas Guides
Filter by what you need right now.
Showing all 30 guides
Big Metros, Different Rental Markets
A corporate-managed tower, a small owner-landlord and a student lease can each handle a request differently. Our city guides look at the local rental patterns in each metro.
Dallas and Fort Worth
Houston and Corpus Christi
Austin and San Antonio
El Paso, Lubbock, McAllen
Where Texans File a Housing Complaint
Deadlines are firm. When in doubt, contact the agency early.
TWC Civil Rights Division
Texas Fair Housing Act complaints. (888) 452-4778.
HUD
Federal complaints, now focused on trained animals.
Private lawsuit
Under the Fair Housing Act, usually with an attorney.
No City Breed Bans in Texas
Health and Safety Code 822.047 stops cities and counties from adopting breed-specific dangerous dog rules. A private landlord's breed policy is a separate matter, covered in our breed and weight guide.
When a Dog Is Declared Dangerous
Under Section 822.042, an owner must register the dog, keep it restrained and carry $100,000 in liability coverage. A declaration like this can affect any housing request for that dog.
Texas Evaluation Plans
Prices come straight from our pricing system. The Free Screening comes first, and it costs nothing.
Texas Questions We Hear Most
Does Texas have its own emotional support animal law?
Texas has no separate statute for emotional support animals in housing. Requests rely on the federal Fair Housing Act and the Texas Fair Housing Act, while Human Resources Code Chapter 121 covers trained service animals.
What changed for Texas ESA owners in 2026?
On May 22, 2026, HUD said it will pursue animal accommodation complaints only for animals individually trained to do disability-related work or tasks. The Fair Housing Act itself, private lawsuits and court decisions were not repealed, so untrained ESA requests are still possible but no longer backed by HUD enforcement.
Can a Texas landlord charge a pet deposit for a service dog?
No. Human Resources Code Chapter 121 bars extra fees or deposits for a service animal in housing. The handler is still responsible for damage beyond normal wear and tear.
Where do I file a housing discrimination complaint in Texas?
The Texas Workforce Commission Civil Rights Division takes fair housing complaints within one year of the event, at (888) 452-4778. How it handles untrained ESA cases after the HUD change is unclear, so ask the division directly.
Is it a crime to pass off a pet as a service animal in Texas?
Yes. Human Resources Code 121.006 makes misrepresenting an animal as a service animal a misdemeanor, with a fine and 30 hours of community service.
Can a Texas city ban my dog because of its breed?
Texas Health and Safety Code 822.047 stops cities and counties from adopting breed-specific dangerous dog rules. Private landlords may still have breed policies, which is a separate question.
Beyond Texas
General information for Texas residents, current as of September 2026, and not legal advice. An evaluation does not guarantee documentation, and no documentation guarantees a landlord's approval. If you are in crisis, call or text 988.
Start Your Texas Evaluation the Right Way
A few minutes of screening tells you whether a clinical evaluation makes sense.
