Connecticut Pet Rent Laws in 2025: A Guide for Landlords

Let me set the scene. My first Connecticut rental was a sweet little two-family in New Haven. Perfect tenant, great credit, glowing references… and a “certified emotional support” German Shepherd named Thor. I said yes. Six months later, Thor had eaten through a doorframe, dug a moat in the backyard, and the neighbor was sending me daily noise complaint videos. When I tried to keep $1,500 of her deposit, she filed a complaint with the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities. I spent more on the lawyer than the repairs.

Here’s the cold, hard truth about Connecticut: This is a tenant’s state. The laws are stacked in their favor. Get cute with pet fees or assistance animals, and they will bury you.

This isn’t a gentle guide. It’s a battlefield map for survival.

Rule #1: Your “No Pets” Policy is a Suggestion to the Feds

Repeat after me: In Connecticut, your lease rules are written in pencil. Federal disability law is written in permanent marker.

• Service Animal? Must be allowed. $0 fees.
• Emotional Support Animal (ESA)? Must be allowed. $0 fees.
• Actual Pet? Your rules apply… sort of.

Connecticut follows the Fair Housing Act (FHA) to the letter [1]. That “no pets” clause you’re so proud of? It’s worthless paper the second a tenant with a legitimate disability needs an animal. Deny it, and you’re not just in small claims court—you’re in a discrimination hearing.

The shift you need today: You’re not deciding if animals are allowed. You’re sorting them into two boxes: Pets (your rules) and Medical Equipment (federal rules). Screw this up, and you pay. A lot.

The Deposit Math: Connecticut’s Handcuffs

Here’s where Connecticut really shows its colors. Under state law, you can only take so much money upfront [2]. It’s not much.

• Tenant under 62: TWO months’ rent MAX. That’s for everything—security deposit, pet deposit, key deposit, you name it.
• Tenant 62 or older: ONE month’s rent MAX. Yes, seniors get extra protection. No, you can’t argue.

Let’s do the ugly math:

Monthly Rent: $2,500
Max Total Deposit (tenant under 62): $5,000
Your Legal Move: $3,500 security deposit + $1,500 pet deposit = $5,000 total ✅
Your Illegal Move: $3,500 security deposit + $2,000 pet deposit = $5,500 total ❌ (You just broke the law. Enjoy the fine.)

See the game? You have to fit your pet damage cushion inside that tiny two-month box. For seniors, you can barely cover a month’s risk. This changes everything about which pets you approve.

Pet Rent: Your Only Real Leverage

Since deposits are capped, pet rent is your lifeline. Connecticut doesn’t cap it. The market does.

• Fairfield County: $75-$150/month for a dog is normal. Don’t flinch.
• Hartford/New Haven: $50-$100/month.
• For “high-risk” breeds (based on your insurance): Add $25-$50 on top. “My insurer requires it” is a magic phrase.

Put the exact number in the lease. “Monthly Pet Rent for one (1) dog: $85.”

The “ESA” Conversation (Don’t Blow It)

When a tenant says the magic words “emotional support animal,” you have a script. Follow it. Word for word.

For a SERVICE ANIMAL:

• You ask TWO questions: 1) “Is the animal required because of a disability?” 2) “What specific task is it trained to perform?”
• You do NOT ask: For papers, for a demo, for doctor’s notes. NO FEES. EVER.

For an EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL:

• You ask for ONE thing: A letter from a licensed healthcare professional (therapist, psychiatrist) who actually treats the tenant. It must state the tenant has a disability and the animal helps. Verify the license.
• You do NOT ask: For medical records, for a diagnosis. NO FEES. EVER.

Can you ever say no? Yes, but the bar is in the stratosphere. You need objective proof the animal is a direct threat (bite history with reports) or will cause severe property damage (and you can prove it). “I don’t like dogs” or “My insurance says no” will get you laughed out of the CHRO office.

Your Connecticut Survival Checklist

1. SCREEN EVERY PET (That’s not an assistance animal).
Use PetScreening.com. It’s a $25 background check that gets vaccines, photos, and behavior history. It creates a third-party paper trail. Non-negotiable.

2. WRITE A LEASE ADDENDUM THAT’S A FORTRESS.

*Pet: One (1) dog, “Thor,” German Shepherd, 85 lbs, Microchip #XYZ123.
Money: Refundable Pet Deposit: $1,500 (part of total $5,000 deposit cap). Monthly Pet Rent: $95.
Rules: All waste must be bagged and in the dumpster—not the bushes. Per CGS § 22-363, excessive barking that disturbs neighbors is a lease violation [3].
Damage: Tenant is 100% liable for ALL damage caused by pet, including flea infestations, lawn destruction, and odor remediation.*

3. DO THE QUARTERLY “FRIENDLY SPY” INSPECTION.
CT law says you need “reasonable notice” (use 24 hours) to enter [4]. Do it. Every three months. Check for scratches, stains, smells. Take photos. Send a nice email: “Great to see Thor! Just a heads up—the back door frame has a new scratch. Maybe a chew toy would help? Thanks!” This isn’t nagging. It’s building a legal paper trail with a smile.

4. MOVE-OUT FORENSICS (21-DAY CLOCK IS TICKING).
When they leave, you have 21 days to return the deposit or send an itemized deduction list [2]. Your inspection photos are your evidence. Be brutally detailed: “Professional enzyme treatment for pet urine in master bedroom carpet: $525. Repair of chewed porch spindle: $200.”

5. EVICTION = PAPER TRAIL, NOT ANGER.
If they sneak in a pet or their “ESA” destroys the place, you use Connecticut’s official Notice to Quit forms. Follow the steps. Never change locks or shut off utilities. Connecticut courts will destroy you.

The Bottom Line

Being a landlord in Connecticut means playing a high-stakes game with strict rules. Pet deposits are capped. Assistance animals are sacred. Tenant protections are strong.

The landlords who win are the ones with flawless paperwork, consistent processes, and zero emotional decisions. You’re not running a charity; you’re running a business under intense scrutiny.

Protect yourself with process, not opinions.

Want to automate the pet screening, lease docs, and legal compliance? This is exactly why Connecticut landlords use Hemlane—it builds the guardrails so you don’t step off the legal cliff.

Sources & Legal Citations

1. CT Commission on Human Rights & Opportunities (CHRO): Where housing discrimination complaints go to die. https://portal.ct.gov/chro
2. CGS § 47a-21 – Security Deposits: The law that caps your deposits. https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_830.htm#sec_47a-21
3. CGS § 22-363 – Nuisance Animals: The law you cite for barking/behavior issues. https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_435.htm#sec_22-363
4. CGS § 47a-16 – Landlord’s Right to Enter: The “reasonable notice” rule. https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_830.htm#sec_47a-16

DISCLAIMER: Look, I’m a landlord who’s paid the “stupid tax” in Connecticut courts. I’m not your lawyer. This state’s housing laws are a minefield. If you’re staring down an ESA denial or an eviction, call a Connecticut housing attorney. The consultation is cheaper than the lawsuit.