California AB 468 ESA Law: A Complete Guide to 30-Day Requirement

What Is California AB 468?

California AB 468 is a state law that became active on January 1, 2022. Its purpose is to stop the growing number of fake ESA letters and protect both tenants and landlords from misuse. Before this law, people could go to a website, answer a few questions, pay a fee, and download an ESA letter instantly. 

These letters often came from providers with no real evaluation, no license, or no connection to California ESA letter. Landlords were overwhelmed with fraudulent documents, and people with legitimate needs were facing doubts and unfair treatment.

AB 468 fixes this problem by regulating how legit ESA letters are issued. It requires real mental health professionals to evaluate individuals properly, maintain a relationship with them, and follow specific guidelines before providing an ESA letter. The law does not remove your right to have an ESA. It simply ensures that ESA documentation is legitimate and trustworthy.

Understanding the California AB 468 ESA Law 30-Day Rule

The most important part of California ESA Law is the 30-day provider-client relationship requirement. This rule means that the mental health professional writing your ESA letter must know you, must assess you, and must work with you for at least 30 days before issuing the letter.

The goal is simple: stop “same-day ESA approvals.” California wants ESA letters to reflect genuine emotional or psychological needs, not quick online transactions. By requiring a 30-day relationship, the state ensures your provider has enough time to understand your condition and confirm that an ESA truly helps you.

This rule also gives landlords confidence that your ESA documentation is real and backed by legitimate care.

Why California Passed AB 468

California created AB 468 for several reasons. For years, ESA misuse was growing. Fake online sites were selling certificates, ID cards, and “registrations” that looked official but had no legal value. This made landlords skeptical and caused real ESA users to face unnecessary challenges.

Lawmakers saw the need to distinguish valid ESA documentation from fraudulent paperwork. AB 468 protects:

• people with genuine emotional or mental health needs
• landlords who need clear, trustworthy documents
• mental health providers who want to follow ethical standards

It also improves public understanding by requiring providers to explain what ESAs can and cannot legally do.

Requirements Under AB 468 (What Your ESA Letter Must Meet)

To be valid under AB 468, your ESA letter must come from a provider who:

• Is licensed in California (out-of-state providers are not allowed)
• Has evaluated or provided care for you for at least 30 days
• Conducts a proper clinical assessment
• Provides a written notice explaining the legal difference between ESAs, service animals, and therapy animals
• Includes complete license details, signature, and the date
• Confirms that the 30-day requirement has been met

These requirements ensure your letter is based on real clinical care, not a quick purchase.

Does AB 468 Change Your ESA Housing Rights

No, AB 468 does not change your ESA housing rights. AB 468 only affects how your ESA letter must be issued in California. Your protections under the Fair Housing Act remain the same, and landlords must still provide reasonable accommodation for a valid ESA. 

Landlords now understand the law and often check if your letter:

• was written by a California-licensed professional
• mentions the 30-day relationship
• includes all legally required information

If any of these is missing, they can legally deny the request. That is why compliance with AB 468 is so important.

Understanding Animal Categories Under California AB 468

AB 468 requires providers to clearly explain these differences to avoid misunderstandings.

• Service Dogs are trained to perform tasks for a disability and have full public access rights.
• Emotional Support Animals help with emotional or psychological symptoms, but do not have public access rights.
• Therapy Animals provide comfort in group settings but do not have any disability-related legal protections.

This clarification prevents ESA misuse in public places and helps protect legitimate service dog users.

Are Online ESA Websites Legal in California?

Online ESA services are legal only if they follow AB 468. That means they must use California-licensed mental health professionals and follow the 30-day requirement. Most websites do not follow this rule.

Websites that promise instant ESA letters, same-day approval, ESA registrations or certifications are not compliant with AB 468. Their letters are usually rejected by landlords because California requires a real evaluation, a California license, and a professional relationship before the letter is issued.

What Happens If Your ESA Letter Does Not Follow AB 468?

If your ESA letter does not meet the state requirements, landlords can deny your request without violating the Fair Housing Act. This is happening more frequently because landlords in California now know what a legitimate ESA letter should look like. They check licenses, they confirm dates, and they look for proof of a real clinical relationship.

A non-compliant letter leads to stress, delays, and sometimes loss of housing options. Following AB 468 ensures your ESA support is legally protected.

How to Get a Valid ESA Letter in California

Getting a legally compliant ESA letter in California requires following a clear process that aligns with AB 468. Understanding each step ensures your documentation is accepted and your housing rights remain fully protected.

• Start with a California-licensed mental health professional.

Begin by choosing a provider who is licensed specifically in California, since the state does not accept letters from out-of-state professionals. This ensures your documentation follows AB 468 from the very first step.

• They must hold an active California license.

Always make sure the provider’s license is valid, current, and in good standing. Landlords typically verify this information, so working with a properly licensed professional prevents issues later.

• Begin your clinical relationship.

California requires you to establish a real therapeutic connection with the provider. This clinical relationship must involve actual evaluation or mental health support, not just a single questionnaire.

• You must receive care or evaluation for at least 30 days.

The 30-day rule is the heart of AB 468 and cannot be skipped. During this period, the provider gets to understand your symptoms, needs, and how an ESA fits into your mental health care.

• Complete your assessment.

Your provider will evaluate your emotional or psychological challenges in detail. They will also determine whether an ESA genuinely improves your daily functioning and emotional stability.

• Your provider will discuss your symptoms and how an ESA supports you.

This conversation helps confirm your disability-related need. It also ensures the ESA recommendation is clinically appropriate and based on more than a one-time discussion.

• Receive your ESA letter after the 30-day period.

Once the required timeframe and evaluation are complete, your provider can issue your ESA letter. This ensures it meets AB 468 expectations and aligns with federal Fair Housing Act rules.

• It must contain all required legal information.

A compliant letter must include license details, dates, provider information, and a confirmation of your need. Any missing information can result in the landlord rejecting your accommodation request.

• Submit it to your landlord as a reasonable accommodation request.

Provide your letter to your housing provider and request approval to live with your ESA. This process is protected under federal law and should be handled in writing.

This process protects you and ensures your ESA letter cannot be rejected for non-compliance.

To sum up, California AB 468 is one of the strictest ESA laws in the country. Its purpose is to eliminate fake ESA letters, protect tenants who truly rely on emotional support animals, and ensure that providers follow ethical, clinical standards. The 30-day rule is the core of the law, requiring a real relationship between you and your mental health professional before they can write your ESA letter.

When your documentation follows AB 468, your ESA rights remain fully protected under the Fair Housing Act. You avoid ESA registration scams, prevent landlord problems, and ensure your ESA support is backed by legitimate clinical care. California’s goal is not to make the process difficult; it is to make it credible.

If you need a legitimate ESA letter that fully meets California’s 30-day requirement, you can start your evaluation at RealESAletter.com. Their California-licensed professionals guide you through the process and help you stay compliant with state and federal laws.