Can you say “no pets” in an MLS listing? It depends

Why

Usually fine as a property rule, but it's on LIBOR's caution list because assistance animals are not pets and must be considered as accommodations. For rentals, many agents add a line saying so.

Safer wording

• no pets (assistance animals considered)

What the tag means

Depends means it's fine or not depending on how it's used. Read the reason, then decide for your sentence.

Check your own wording

Paste a sentence or your whole listing. It runs ListingLint's real rule engine in your browser, and nothing is uploaded. no pets

1 phrase to look at

• Depends “no pets”

  Usually fine as a property rule, but it's on LIBOR's caution list because assistance animals are not pets and must be considered as accommodations. For rentals, many agents add a line saying so.

  Try: no pets (assistance animals considered)

A word check, not a legal review. Open the full checker for fixes, the fact lock and the MLS character count.

What the law covers here

The federal statute uses the word "handicap" and defines it as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a record of one, or being regarded as having one. Describing accessibility features of the property is generally fine. Describing which people can or can't live there is what gets flagged.

• Fair Housing Act definitions, 42 U.S.C. § 3602
• Fair Housing Act, 42 U.S.C. § 3604(c)

Sources

• Long Island Board of REALTORS®: Fair Housing Advertising Word and Phrase Guidelines (Mar. 2025)

Related phrases

• no wheelchairs Avoid
• not suitable for wheelchairs Avoid
• able-bodied only Avoid
• agile Caution
• crippled Avoid
• no hiv Avoid
• no group homes Avoid
• non-drinkers only Avoid

All disability phrases on one page · The 12-check listing checklist

Not legal advice. Word lists can't judge context, and laws differ by state and city, with some protecting more classes than federal law does. If you're unsure about a listing, ask your broker or a fair housing attorney. Rule dis-no-pets, ListingLint rules v2026.10.2.