Landlords in Washington DC will no longer be able to refuse a tenant's dog based on its breed, size or weight, nor can they impose special charges related to these factors. The new law, which took effect on Thursday, aims to reduce barriers to pet ownership in the US capital, a move applauded by animal welfare organizations and animal shelters.
End of breed-based restrictions
Previously, dog breeds considered “scary” — especially pit bulls, rottweilers and dobermans — faced restrictions. Property owners could ban certain breeds regardless of their behavior, in an attempt to avoid incidents with aggressive dogs that could damage property or harm other tenants or pets.
Animal groups challenged this approach, arguing that breed bans penalize responsible dog owners and that aggressive behavior is, in the vast majority of cases, linked to owner management and control rather than the dog's breed. They also warned that exorbitant pet fees and breed restrictions were putting housing out of reach for people.
Roscoe's Law and its provisions
The measure taking effect this Thursday is the final part of the Pets in Housing Amendment Act, or “Roscoe's Law”, introduced by councilmember Robert White in honor of his dog. The first part has been partially in effect since 2025, and included caps on pet-related fees: pet security deposits cannot exceed 15% of a tenant's monthly rent, pet rent is capped at 1% of the monthly rent, and all other non-refundable fees are prohibited.
While organizations like the DC Landlord Association acknowledged the law's intent “to help keep families together and prevent the separation of pets from their owners due to restrictive housing policies”, they expressed concerns. In May, they worried that the security deposits and rent caps might not cover the costs associated with pet-related damages, and called for “adequate” deposits and rent.
Impact and ongoing listings
Although breed and weight restrictions are prohibited in all residential leases beginning after 1 October 2026, immediate changes may not be evident. Real estate websites commonly include pet restrictions on their property listings; a quick search on Zillow on Thursday showed many “pet-friendly” DC listings with a “pet essentials” section stating whether the property allowed cats or dogs and their weight limit, sometimes set at a maximum of 75lb.
