Steps for Requesting a Support Animal in University Housing:
- To request a non-service support animal in university housing, students must first fill out the Non-Service Animal Release of Information Form.
- The submitted release form and a verification document will be sent to the healthcare provider listed on the form.
- Once the Office of Disability Services (ODS) receives the documentation from the healthcare provider, they will review it.
- A decision will be made, and the student will be informed of the outcome.
- Expect to receive communication from Housing and Residential Life about student rights and responsibilities regarding support animals.
Receiving communication from Housing and Residential Life about animals in residence does not mean you have been approved for an animal in university housing.
If a student brings an unapproved animal to campus, the student will be required to remove it from university housing immediately due to the safety concerns for students and animals in congregate housing. The student can only bring an animal to campus once it has been approved.
If the request is denied, students can reapply if the information was incomplete. If they wish to appeal, they can follow the grievance process on the ODS website.
Non-Service Animal Release of Information Form
Acceptable Documentation
For students requesting non-service support animals in housing:
Please be aware that documentation from online verification services or providers with whom the student does not have an ongoing therapeutic relationship is not enough to support the request for a non-service support animal in university housing.
Also, there is no state or federal requirement to register a support animal. Registering an animal does not prove that it qualifies as a support animal or help in getting the request approved.
Important Deadlines
- To get a Fall Housing accommodations, students must complete the housing application and the accommodations process by May 1. For example, housing accommodations needed by Fall 2025 must be completed by May 1, 2025, to guarantee accommodation needs will be met.
- For Spring Housing accommodations, the deadline is Nov. 1. For example, housing accommodations needed by Spring 2025 must be completed by Nov. 1, 2024, to guarantee accommodation needs will be met.
- If the request is made less than 60 days before moving into the residence hall, SDSU cannot guarantee that it will be able to meet the individual's accommodation needs during the first semester or term of occupancy.
The approval timeline varies based on the following factors:
- Submission date
- Available housing occupancy
- Review of submitted documentation and necessary animal verification
Please Note:
The ODS has no role to play in specific hall assignments, only the features needed. An accommodation such as a support or service animal does not guarantee admittance to a certain hall or the opportunity to have a single occupancy room in the residence halls.