Can Minnesota landlords deny emotional support animals based on breed?

Minnesota landlords cannot deny an emotional support animal on the basis of breed. According to the Minnesota Department of Human Rights, the landlord can only determine whether an emotional support or service animal is “dangerous or likely to cause property damage” based on the animal’s behavior rather than on stereotypes about its breed. 

Emotional support animals assist with emotional regulation for people with conditions like depression or anxiety. They are not service animals, which are specially trained to do tasks for people with disabilities. Landlords cannot charge pet fees/rent for either service or emotional support animals.

To have an emotional support animal in Minnesota, people need to provide their landlord with documentation from a licensed professional, unless the landlord already knows their reason for needing the animal. The professional providing the documentation cannot be someone whose primary job is to provide certification for emotional support or service animals.