Can I have a no-pets policy?

A landlord generally has the right to say no to pets. You can write a no-pets rental policy into the lease and decline applicants who will not part with an animal. This is standard, and courts routinely uphold a clear no pet policy that is applied evenly to everyone.

The word that matters is pets. Your policy covers dogs, cats, and other companion animals kept for enjoyment. It does not automatically reach every animal a tenant might bring, which is where most landlords get tripped up.

Service animals and emotional support animals are not pets under federal fair housing law. They are a form of disability accommodation. A blanket no-pets clause usually cannot be used to reject them, and you generally cannot charge pet rent or a pet deposit for one.

• Treat a request for an assistance animal as an accommodation request, not a lease violation.
• You may ask for reliable documentation when the disability or need is not obvious, within the limits the law allows.
• Damage caused by an assistance animal can still be the tenant's responsibility under your normal lease terms.

Getting this wrong is a common source of fair housing complaints, so handle these requests carefully and in writing. Rules vary by state and locality, and some cities add their own protections. See the state guides at /laws/ and confirm details with your own counsel.

• State the policy plainly in the lease and define what counts as a pet.
• Apply it consistently to every tenant so it cannot be called selective enforcement.
• Carve out assistance animals so your clause does not overreach and become unenforceable.
• Decide up front how you will handle unauthorized pets, including notice and cure steps.
• Keep any pet-related agreement, such as a pet addendum for exceptions, in the signed file.

Check for local twists before you finalize the wording. Some areas limit breed or size restrictions, and rules vary, so read your state guide and, if in doubt, ask a local attorney.