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3920 Mystic Valley Parkway, Medford, MA 02155 · Independent owner site

Not affiliated with the Mystic River Park Condominium Trust, its board, or its managing agent. Independent owner site — not speaking for the board.

Large dogs at 3920: how simple the emotional support animal process is

Illustration: three people walking large dogs down a condominium hallway
Illustration only. Not a photo of 3920 or any resident.

Large dogs can be seen in the halls and elevators at 3920 Mystic Valley Parkway. As this site observes it, the emotional support animal (ESA) route is how animals are accommodated here. Here is how simple that process is under Massachusetts law, at 3920 or anywhere else.

This is general information, not legal advice, and not a claim about any resident or any animal.

What the governing documents say

The Master Deed, Paragraph 11(G) (page 18 of the recorded 2021 copy), says: “Dogs, cats or other animals of whatever kind shall not be kept in any Unit or in any Portion of the Building or Common Elements at any time.” The Trustees may require an animal’s immediate removal and impose fines. The Rules & Regulations (2017), Rule 8, “Animals,” say: “Dogs, cats or other animals of any nature are not allowed in any Unit or anywhere on the premises at any time.” The fine schedule lists “Warning, then $200 fine for each violation.” Fair housing law can override these rules for a person with a disability.

What is an emotional support animal?

An ESA is an animal that eases the symptoms or effects of a person’s disability just by being there. Disability here means a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity, so a real disability-related need is required. An ESA needs no training. It is not the same as an ADA service animal, which is a dog trained to do specific tasks.

How simple the process is

  • A request. The resident asks the condo association for an exception to the animal rule, spoken or written.
  • A letter. The association can ask for a letter from a licensed health care provider who treats the person, confirming a disability and a need for the animal.
  • No diagnosis. The person never has to reveal a diagnosis.
  • No registry, certification, training, or fee. There is no official ESA registry or certificate. Pet fees, pet deposits, and breed or weight limits do not apply to assistance animals. A 100-pound dog is treated the same as a 10-pound one.

Many websites sell ESA letters after a short online questionnaire or telehealth visit. Published prices run about $100 to $200, and many promise the letter the same day or within a day or two. Massachusetts says a letter bought from a website after a short interview is not, by itself, reliable documentation.

Federal enforcement has changed. HUD withdrew its 2020 assistance animal guidance in September 2025, and in May 2026 it said it will bring federal charges only in cases about trained animals. Massachusetts still protects ESAs under G.L. c. 151B, which the MCAD enforces.

If a request is refused against the law

In Massachusetts, refusing a reasonable accommodation to a person with a disability can be housing discrimination under G.L. c. 151B, and that applies to condominium associations and boards, at 3920 or anywhere else. Examples include denying a properly documented request outright, demanding the person's diagnosis or medical records, charging a pet fee or deposit for the animal, fining the owner under a no-pets rule, or refusing because of the dog's breed or size rather than its actual behavior.

A person who believes a request was wrongly refused can file a complaint with the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD). The filing deadline is generally 300 days from the refusal. Remedies can include an order allowing the animal, damages, and in some cases attorney's fees. Keep copies of the request, the letter, and every response from management or the board. Retaliating against someone for making a request or filing a complaint is also against the law.

How MCAD complaints can lead to money

Filing a complaint with MCAD costs nothing, and no lawyer is required, at 3920 or anywhere else. MCAD investigates, and the parties can try free mediation early in the case or later on, before a hearing. A settlement can include a payment of money. If MCAD finds probable cause, a conciliation conference is required, giving another chance to settle. If the case still does not settle, it can go to a public hearing. If MCAD finds discrimination, it can award damages, including for emotional distress, and order the building to change its practices. MCAD can also assess a civil penalty against the building. Instead of staying at MCAD, a person can move the case to court: 90 days after filing (or sooner with a commissioner's written consent), and no later than three years after the refusal. A court can award actual and punitive damages, plus reasonable attorney's fees and costs.

Where the limits are

An ESA can be refused or removed if that particular animal is a direct threat to people or property based on its own behavior (not its breed or size), causes substantial damage, or would be an undue burden. The owner still has to follow leash, licensing, vaccination, cleanup, and noise rules, and pays for any damage.

What residents can do

In shared elevators and hallways, a poorly controlled large dog is a concern for anyone. If you see a specific problem (lunging, biting, constant barking, waste left behind, or damage), write it down with the date and time and send it in writing to management and the board. Boards can enforce conduct rules against an ESA the same way they would against any other nuisance. Under G.L. c. 140, § 157, anyone can also file a nuisance or dangerous dog complaint with the city. Medford Animal Control is at City Hall, Room 311, (781) 393-2563. In an emergency, call 911.

Sources

More: MCAD and housing discrimination · Renters vs. owners

Caveat emptor.

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