D.C. Bans Breed, Size and Weight Limits for Dogs in New Leases

Washington, D.C. landlords can no longer reject a tenant's dog because of breed, size or weight. The ban took effect Thursday, 1 October 2026, and applies to all residential leases beginning after that date. Landlords also cannot impose extra charges tied to breed, size or weight. The Guardian

The policy is the Pets in Housing Amendment Act, known as Roscoe's Law. Councilmember Robert White introduced it in honor of his dog. In District law it is listed as D.C. Law 25-308. D.C. Council

The 1 October date is the final step of a phased rollout. The first part has been partly in effect since 2025. Leases that started before the cutoff follow the earlier rules. Leases starting after face the full ban on breed, size and weight limits.

Those earlier rules deal with money, not admission. A pet security deposit cannot exceed 15% of monthly rent. Pet rent is capped at 1% of monthly rent, with the legal text stating extra rent for each common household pet that is a dog may not exceed 1 percent of the first full month's rent charged. All other non-refundable pet fees are banned. The Guardian

The broader context here is a change in how rental risk is priced and managed. Breed and weight limits acted like a rough filter to limit feared damage or liability without checking each dog. Without that filter, and with added costs capped, landlords must accept more types of dogs within fixed limits on deposits and monthly charges.

Looking at what this means for the District's rental market, turnover will set the pace. Because the ban covers only leases beginning after 1 October 2026, buildings with frequent turnover will shift quickly. Longer tenancies keep older terms until renewal. Identical units in one building could have different pet rules for a time.

In my view, the questions to watch are practical. Leases will need new wording to remove banned exclusions and fees. Screening will need to focus on behavior and care, not category. Disputes will likely center on what the law still allows, like general pet rules not tied to breed, size or weight, and on documenting costs within the caps. How both sides handle those lines will shape the law in practice.