Pet Addendum in Florida

Adds pet terms to a lease. Assistance animals for people with disabilities are not pets: no pet fee or pet rent may be charged for them under federal fair housing rules.

What Florida law says

Pet deposits and fees	A pet deposit is 'deposit money' and must be held and returned under the same rules as a security deposit. Florida sets no cap on deposits, so pet deposits are not limited by statute. A person with a disability or disability-related need who is approved to keep an emotional support animal may not be charged extra for that animal. Emotional support animal rule: https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2026/760.27. The tenant remains liable for damage caused by the animal (s. 760.27(4)). Source: Fla. Stat. ss. 83.43 (definition of deposit money), 83.49, 760.27(2)
Service & support animals (state law)	Florida's ESA law (2020) requires housing providers, to the extent federal law requires, to allow emotional support animals as a reasonable accommodation without extra compensation. If the disability or need is not readily apparent, the provider may request reliable information (e.g., from a health care practitioner or telehealth provider with personal knowledge; out-of-state practitioners only if they provided in-person care at least once), may require proof of licensing and vaccination, and may not demand diagnosis, medical records, a specific form, or a notarized statement. Internet ESA registrations/ID cards alone are not sufficient. Tenants are liable for damage caused by the animal. Falsifying ESA documentation or misrepresenting a need is a second-degree misdemeanor plus 30 hours of community service; misrepresenting a service animal is likewise penalized. Service animals: no extra compensation may be required, tenant is liable for damage, and proof of vaccination may be requested (§ 413.08(6)(b)). Misrepresentation statute: https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2026/817.265 Source: Fla. Stat. §§ 760.27; 817.265; 413.08(6), (9)

Pet deposits and fees

A pet deposit is 'deposit money' and must be held and returned under the same rules as a security deposit. Florida sets no cap on deposits, so pet deposits are not limited by statute. A person with a disability or disability-related need who is approved to keep an emotional support animal may not be charged extra for that animal.

Emotional support animal rule: https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2026/760.27. The tenant remains liable for damage caused by the animal (s. 760.27(4)).

Source: Fla. Stat. ss. 83.43 (definition of deposit money), 83.49, 760.27(2)

Service & support animals (state law)

Florida's ESA law (2020) requires housing providers, to the extent federal law requires, to allow emotional support animals as a reasonable accommodation without extra compensation. If the disability or need is not readily apparent, the provider may request reliable information (e.g., from a health care practitioner or telehealth provider with personal knowledge; out-of-state practitioners only if they provided in-person care at least once), may require proof of licensing and vaccination, and may not demand diagnosis, medical records, a specific form, or a notarized statement. Internet ESA registrations/ID cards alone are not sufficient. Tenants are liable for damage caused by the animal. Falsifying ESA documentation or misrepresenting a need is a second-degree misdemeanor plus 30 hours of community service; misrepresenting a service animal is likewise penalized.

Service animals: no extra compensation may be required, tenant is liable for damage, and proof of vaccination may be requested (§ 413.08(6)(b)). Misrepresentation statute: https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2026/817.265

Source: Fla. Stat. §§ 760.27; 817.265; 413.08(6), (9)

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PET ADDENDUM to the lease for [rental address] dated [lease date]

Tenant: [tenant name] Pet(s): [type, breed, name, weight]

Pet deposit: $[pet deposit] (counts toward any state deposit limit where the law says so). Monthly pet rent: $[pet rent]

The tenant keeps the pet under control, cleans up after it, and pays for damage it causes beyond normal wear and tear.

Signatures and dates: [signatures]

Pet Addendum for other states · Florida tenant rights

General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.