In Ohio, your ESA housing rights rest first on state law. Ohio Revised Code § 4112.02(H) makes it an unlawful discriminatory practice to refuse to rent, or otherwise make housing unavailable, to a person because of disability, and Ohio Administrative Code 4112-5-07(C) entitles a person with a disability to keep an animal assistant in rented housing without paying any extra charge for it. This state protection is enforced by the Ohio Civil Rights Commission and remains fully active. The federal Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. § 3604) provides the same obligation, and that statute has not changed.
Landlords in Highland Heights who refuse a valid ESA letter or continue charging pet fees may be in violation of ORC § 4112.02(H), OAC 4112-5-07(C), and federal law. Complaints can be filed with Ohio Civil Rights Commission.