The City of Janesville’s updated fair housing code clarifies the legal requirements surrounding emotional support animals.
City Attorney Wald Klimczyk told the city council Monday night landlords are required to allow the pets if the tenant can provide medical documentation from a licensed professional.
Landlords are not allowed to ask about disabilities if the animal is for living assistance, rather than a pet for emotional support.
These updated guidelines come from the amendments to the Americans With Disabilities Act and are largely out of the city’s control.
The changes to the fair housing code also increased the penalties for violations, but the city has not handed out a housing discrimination fine in the last decade.
