A major change is coming to rental housing in Washington, D.C., and it matters a lot for pet owners. So if you rent with a big dog, or a breed that often gets blocked, you will want to know these dates.
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 caps common pet fees first, and then it stops landlords from using breed, size, or weight as a reason to reject a pet later.
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.
This law rolls out in stages. So the timing of your lease start date matters just as much as the rules themselves.
October 1, 2025: Pet fee caps start (for new leases)
For residential leases that begin after this date, landlords must 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
So yes, pet deposits and pet rent can still exist. But the numbers have a ceiling.
October 1, 2026: Breed, weight, and size limits end (for new leases)
For residential leases that begin after this date, landlords cannot apply restrictions tied to a pet’s breed, size, or weight.
So the big shift is coming. It just arrives a year after the fee caps.
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
Percent limits can sound abstract. So here are a few examples you can picture right away.
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, sure. But it also blocks those extreme “pay-to-have-a-pet” fees that hit renters the hardest.
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 wolf or coyote hybrids)
- Domestic cats (not wildcat hybrids)
- 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
This law removes breed and size discrimination for covered leases. But it does 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.
They can even keep a “no pets” policy in buildings that do not allow pets at all.
So the real point is this. If pets are allowed, the landlord cannot single out a dog just for being “too big” or “the wrong breed,” once the 2026 lease start date applies.
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.
So this law tackles multiple pressure points at once. It caps the money side first. Then it blocks the breed and weight gatekeeping next. That combination can help a lot of families stay together without drama.
A shelter update that matters for pet owners in crisis
This law also covers something that does not get enough attention. Emergency shelter access.
By October 1, 2026, Washington, D.C. must have at least one low-barrier shelter that accepts people experiencing homelessness who have a common household pet.
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. Your lease start date decides which protections apply. So if your next lease begins after October 1, 2025, the fee caps matter. Then if it begins after October 1, 2026, the breed and size protections matter too.
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.
So here’s the simple takeaway. Fee caps arrive first in 2025. Breed and size limits drop in 2026. And for a lot of renters, that second date can open up way more homes than people expect.
If you have ever lost an apartment over a weight limit, this change is worth watching.
