Pet-Friendly Apartments Near ASU: A Complete Guide for Sun Devil Pet Owners (2026)

Pet-friendly apartments near Arizona State University’s Tempe campus typically charge ASU students a one-time pet deposit of $200 to $500 plus monthly pet rent of $25 to $75 per animal, with most buildings restricting pets by species, breed, and weight. The Tempe apartment market has a significant number of pet-friendly options, particularly in student-focused complexes that compete on amenities, but roughly 30 to 40 percent of units near ASU do not permit pets at all. Finding the right building requires knowing what questions to ask and what fees to budget for before signing a lease with your dog, cat, or other animal.

TL;DR: Quick Answer

Most pet-friendly Tempe apartments near ASU charge $200 to $500 as a one-time pet deposit plus $25 to $75 monthly in pet rent per animal.
Many buildings impose breed restrictions on dogs and weight limits of 25 to 50 pounds, disqualifying large or restricted breeds.
Sneaking a pet into a non-pet-friendly Tempe apartment risks eviction and forfeiture of your security deposit.
Emotional support animals receive different legal treatment than pets under Arizona and federal fair housing laws.
Find My Place filters available Tempe apartments near ASU by pet-friendly status, making it easier to identify compliant options quickly.

Tempe Apartment Pet Policies Cover Deposits, Monthly Fees, and Restrictions

Pet-friendly does not mean pet-permissive. Most Tempe landlords who accept pets also impose specific rules that differ significantly between properties.

Pet deposits in Tempe apartments near ASU are separate from security deposits. Arizona law does not cap pet deposit amounts. Most Tempe buildings charge $200 to $350 per pet as a refundable deposit and $150 to $500 as a non-refundable pet fee in addition.

Monthly pet rent is nearly universal in Tempe student apartments that accept animals. $25 to $50 monthly for cats. $50 to $75 monthly for dogs. Some properties charge per-animal. Others charge a flat household rate regardless of animal count.

These costs add up. A dog owner in a Tempe apartment paying a $300 deposit, a $200 non-refundable fee, and $60 monthly pet rent pays $1,220 in pet-related costs annually before accounting for deposit recovery.

Dog Breed and Weight Restrictions Eliminate Many Large Dogs Near ASU

Breed restrictions are common in Tempe apartment buildings. Aggressive breed lists typically include pit bulls, Rottweilers, Dobermans, German Shepherds, Siberian Huskies, and several others. These lists vary by building.

Weight limits of 25 to 50 pounds disqualify many popular breeds. A 60-pound Labrador fails a 50-pound limit regardless of temperament. Some buildings implement two-tier weight limits, allowing dogs under 25 pounds without restriction and dogs between 25 and 50 pounds with additional documentation.

Confirmation in writing matters. If a leasing agent verbally tells you your breed is allowed, get it confirmed in the lease or a written addendum. Verbal approvals do not bind landlords.

Cats Face Fewer Restrictions Than Dogs in Tempe Apartments Near ASU

Cats receive more lenient treatment in most Tempe apartment policies near Arizona State University. Most pet-friendly buildings that restrict or exclude dogs accept indoor cats without breed restrictions.

Declawing requirements appear in some older Tempe lease agreements. This practice is increasingly considered inhumane and is prohibited in several jurisdictions, though not currently in Arizona. Verify the policy carefully.

Maximum cat limits of two per unit apply in many Tempe buildings. Three or more cats often require individual landlord approval or fall outside policy entirely.

Emotional Support Animals Have Different Legal Status Than Pets

Emotional support animals are not pets under federal fair housing law. ASU students with documented disabilities may qualify to keep emotional support animals in Tempe apartments that otherwise prohibit pets.

The process requires documentation from a licensed mental health professional confirming your disability and the therapeutic relationship with the animal. Landlords can request this documentation. They cannot deny reasonable accommodations without justification.

ESA protections do not waive pet deposits in Arizona, but they do require landlords to make reasonable accommodations in pet-restrictive buildings. Breed restrictions and weight limits may not apply to documented ESAs.

This process requires active engagement with a healthcare provider before you need the accommodation. Do not assume ESA protection applies automatically.

The Consequences of Bringing Unauthorized Pets Into Tempe Apartments

Tempe landlords discover unauthorized pets through inspections, complaints from neighbors, and evidence left during maintenance visits. Pet hair on furniture, food bowls, and distinctive odors are common discovery triggers.

Consequences for unauthorized pets in Tempe apartments near ASU include written lease violations, cure-or-quit notices, financial penalties, and eviction proceedings for repeated violations. Unauthorized pet damage comes out of your security deposit with no pet deposit buffer.

The financial consequences of eviction, including court costs, moving costs, and the difficulty of renting with an eviction on your record, far exceed the cost of finding a pet-friendly apartment from the start.

Finding Pet-Friendly Apartments Near ASU: What to Ask Landlords

Bring specific questions to every apartment tour:

What animals are permitted? Confirm species, breed, and weight limits in writing.

What are the total pet costs? Confirm deposit amount, non-refundable fee, and monthly pet rent separately.

Are there designated pet relief areas? For dog owners, this affects your daily routine significantly.

What is the pet policy for guests bringing animals? Not all buildings extend pet friendliness to visiting animals.

Are there restrictions on leaving pets unattended? Some buildings impose time limits. Relevant for students with full class schedules.

Estimating Total Pet Costs for ASU Students in Tempe

For a one-year Tempe apartment lease with one medium-sized dog, ASU students should budget:

One-time pet deposit of $200 to $400. Non-refundable pet fee of $150 to $300. Monthly pet rent of $50 to $75 totaling $600 to $900 annually. Total additional housing cost with a dog: $950 to $1,600 for the year.

Cat owners pay less. One-time deposit of $100 to $200. Non-refundable fee of $100 to $200. Monthly pet rent of $25 to $50 totaling $300 to $600 annually. Total: $500 to $1,000 for the year.

Find My Place filters Tempe apartment listings near Arizona State University by pet-friendly status, breed restrictions, and fee structures, reducing the time ASU Sun Devil pet owners spend searching for compliant housing.