Key facts
- Washington DC landlords can no longer ban dogs by breed, size, or weight.
- New law prohibits special charges for dogs based on breed, size, or weight.
- Pet security deposits capped at 15% of monthly rent.
- Pet rent capped at 1% of monthly rent.
- Non-refundable pet fees are prohibited.
- The law took effect on Thursday, October 1, 2026.
Landlords in Washington DC are now prohibited from refusing to rent to tenants based on their dog's breed, size, or weight, and cannot impose additional charges related to these factors. This change, part of the "Roscoe's Law" amendment to the pets in housing act, took effect on Thursday.
Animal welfare organizations and shelters have applauded the legislation, arguing that breed bans unfairly penalize responsible owners and that aggressive behavior is more often linked to owner management than breed. They also contend that exorbitant pet fees and breed restrictions contribute to housing unaffordability.