Landlords in Washington DC are now prohibited from refusing a tenant's dog based on its breed, size, or weight, following a new law that took effect on Thursday, 1 October 2026. The legislation also bans special charges related to these factors.
The new measure, part of the pets in housing amendment act, or "Roscoe's Law," aims to reduce barriers to pet ownership in the US capital. Previously, breeds such as pit bulls, rottweilers, and dobermans often faced restrictions.
Animal welfare organisations have welcomed the law, arguing that breed bans unfairly penalise responsible dog owners and that aggressive behaviour is more often linked to owner management. However, the DC Landlord Association expressed concerns in May that the caps on security deposits and pet rent might not adequately cover potential pet-related damages.
The first part of "Roscoe's Law," which has been partially in effect since 2025, capped pet security deposits at 15% of a tenant's monthly rent and pet rent at 1% of the monthly rent, while prohibiting other non-refundable fees.