MCCR Confirms Maryland Disability Housing Protections Cover Emotional Support Animals Despite Federal HUD Policy Shift

The Maryland Commission on Civil Rights (MCCR) has issued new guidance, clarifying that Maryland’s state-level fair housing disability protections remain fully in effect for tenants with emotional support animals (ESAs), despite recent policy changes at the federal level.

Federal Policy Shift vs. Maryland State Law

* HUD Enforcement Change: On May 22, 2026, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) narrowed its federal enforcement priorities under the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, focusing reasonable cause findings and formal charges primarily on animals individually trained to provide disability-related assistance.

* State Protections Unchanged: MCCR has clarified that federal policy shifts do not override or diminish protections under the Maryland Fair Housing Act.

* Coverage for ESAs: Under Maryland law, housing providers must continue offering reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities, which includes emotional support animals even if the animal has not been individually trained to perform specific tasks.

Key Guidance for Renters & Housing Providers

* No Blanket Rejections: Housing providers and property managers are strictly prohibited from implementing blanket policies that automatically reject emotional support animals.

* Individualized Assessments: Landlords and property managers are legally obligated to evaluate reasonable accommodation requests on a case-by-case basis.

* Practical Compliance Rules: The guidance outlines legal standards regarding allowable documentation, pet fees and security deposits, breed restrictions, and direct-threat assessments under Maryland law.

Tenants, property managers, and housing advocates can review the full regulatory breakdown directly through the MCCR Emotional Support Animal Guidance.