Washington, D.C. has passed a law that would cap pet fees and end breed and size limits in rentals, but none of it applies yet. The act applies only once its cost is included in an approved D.C. budget and financial plan. As of October 2026, the D.C. Law Library’s notes on the amended code sections still say “that amendment has not been implemented.” If you rent with a big dog, or a breed that often gets blocked, these are the dates to know once it is funded.
The Pets in Housing Amendment Act of 2024, often called “Roscoe’s Law,” is designed to keep more families and pets together. It does that in two ways. It would cap common pet fees first, and then stop landlords from using breed, size, or weight as a reason to reject a pet.
If you want the full official-style overview in one place, you can read it here: new D.C. pet housing law aims to keep families and their pets under the same roof.
Why renters keep getting stuck on “pet size” rules
A lot of pet owners have lived this exact moment. You find a clean apartment. The price fits. The move-in date works. Then you scroll down and see a line like “no dogs over 35 pounds” or “no bully breeds.”
That rule hits hard, even if your dog is calm, trained, and friendly. And it feels unfair, since it ignores real behavior. So renters either keep searching, lie about the dog’s size, or give up and stay put. Some people even face the worst option. They rehome a pet they love.
This D.C. law targets that exact pattern. It pushes back on blanket restrictions that treat pets like a risk on paper.
Two dates matter. A lot.
The law is written in two stages, each tied to a lease start date. Both wait on the same funding step, because Section 4 of D.C. Law 25-308 says the act “shall apply upon the date of inclusion of its fiscal effect in an approved budget and financial plan.” Until that happens, neither stage can be enforced.
October 1, 2025: Pet fee caps (for new leases, once funded)
For residential leases that begin after this date, the law would keep pet-related costs inside these limits:
- Refundable pet deposit: up to 15% of monthly rent
- Pet rent: up to 1% of the first full month’s rent
- Service and assistance animals: no pet rent and no pet deposit when approved as a disability accommodation
Pet deposits and pet rent could still exist, but each would have a ceiling.
October 1, 2026: Breed, weight, and size limits (for new leases, once funded)
For residential leases that begin after this date, the law bars landlords from restricting tenancy, or charging different fees or rent, based on a pet’s breed, size, or weight.
That date has passed, but without the funding step the ban does not apply yet.
And one quick note. If your current lease started before these dates, your landlord can still follow older terms until you sign a new lease that falls under the new start date rules.
What the fee caps look like in real money
Here is what the caps would mean at two rents once they apply.
If rent is $2,500 per month:
- Max pet deposit: 15% = $375
- Max pet rent for a dog: 1% = $25 per dog, per month
- Max pet rent for non-dog common household pets: 1% total = $25 per month
If rent is $1,800 per month:
- Max pet deposit: $270
- Max pet rent for a dog: $18 per dog, per month
That can still add up over time, but once in force the caps would rule out open-ended pet fees.
And since the deposit is refundable, you can get it back if your pet causes no damage beyond normal wear.
Which pets count under the law
People usually talk about dogs and cats, and that makes sense. Still, the law covers a broader list of “common household pets.” So if you have smaller pets, this section matters too.
The list includes:
- Domestic dogs (not hybrids with wolves, coyotes, or jackals)
- Domestic cats (not hybrids with ocelots or margays)
- Domesticated rodents and rabbits
- Common cage birds
- Non-venomous snakes, fish, and turtles
- Ferrets
So a renter with a rabbit or a cage bird has clearer footing too. And that is a nice detail, since small pets still get blocked in some buildings.
What landlords can still do
Once funded, the law would remove breed and size limits for covered leases. It would not remove all rules.
Landlords can still set reasonable pet policies tied to safety and care of the property. They can also limit the number of pets allowed in a unit. And they can still charge for real damage.
If pets are allowed, the landlord could not single out a dog for being “too big” or “the wrong breed” on a lease covered by the 2026 date, once the law is funded.
Why this change can keep more pets in their homes
A housing problem is one of the most common reasons pets get surrendered. And that is not a moral failure. It is often a paperwork problem. A landlord says no, and the renter runs out of options fast.
Big dogs face this more than anyone. Breed lists pile on top of that. Then the fees kick in too, and renters get squeezed from every side.
The law would tackle several pressure points at once, capping the fees and blocking breed and weight gatekeeping. That combination could help a lot of families stay together once it is funded.
A shelter update that matters for pet owners in crisis
This law also covers something that does not get enough attention. Emergency shelter access.
The law says that by October 1, 2026, Washington, D.C. must have at least one low-barrier shelter with space for homeless residents who come with a common household pet. That requirement waits on the same funding as the rest of the act.
That matters for safety, and it matters for dignity too. A lot of people avoid shelters if they have to leave their pet behind. So even one pet-friendly option can make a real difference.
What renters can do right now
If you rent in Washington, D.C., you can prepare in a simple, practical way. And you do not need a fancy plan.
Keep your pet paperwork ready
- Vaccination records
- Licensing info, if required
- Spay or neuter records, if you have them
- Training certificates, if you have them
This helps during screening, and it also helps if a dispute pops up.
Track your lease start date
This part is easy to miss, so write it down. Once the law is funded, your lease start date decides which protections apply. A lease beginning after October 1, 2025 would get the fee caps, and one beginning after October 1, 2026 would get the breed and size protections too. The notes on the D.C. Law Library’s code pages say whether each amendment has been implemented.
Check the pet fee math
Once the caps apply to your new lease, compare your pet deposit and pet rent against the limits. If the numbers go past the cap, you have a clear reason to challenge it.
Get pet policies in writing
Ask for written details on:
- Number of pets allowed
- Damage rules and how the deposit gets returned
- Shared space rules like leashes and cleanup
Written rules save time later. And they reduce misunderstandings on both sides.
What this means next
This is not a national rule. It is a Washington, D.C. rule. Still, it is a strong step for renters with pets, especially families with big dogs who get shut out again and again.
Both dates in the law have now passed, and neither change applies yet. The next step is a D.C. budget and financial plan that includes the law’s cost. Once that happens, the second date could open up more homes to renters with large dogs.
If you have ever lost an apartment over a weight limit, this change is worth watching.
