Washington DC Bans Dog Breed and Size Housing Restrictions
Washington DC implemented a new law banning landlords from restricting pets based on breed, size, or weight while capping pet-related fees.
A new law banning landlords in Washington DC from imposing dog breed, size, or weight restrictions took effect on October 1, 2026. The Pets in Housing Amendment Act, also known as Roscoe’s Law, prohibits property owners from refusing tenants based on these factors or imposing special charges related to them.
Introduced by Councilmember Robert White, the legislation implements strict caps on pet-related costs. Security deposits are now limited to 15% of monthly rent, and pet rent is capped at 1% of monthly rent. The law further bans all other non-refundable pet fees.
Animal welfare organizations support the measure as a means to reduce barriers to pet ownership. However, the DC Landlord Association expressed concern that the new fee caps may not sufficiently cover costs associated with pet-related property damage.
