7002.1 DCHA residents shall have the following responsibilities with respect to their assistance animals and pets, as applicable:

1. (a) Residents are responsible for feeding, maintaining, providing veterinary care, and controlling their assistance animals and pets. A resident may do this on their own or with the assistance of family, friends, volunteers, or service providers;
2. (b) Residents must care for assistance animals and pets in a manner that complies with state and local laws, including anti-cruelty laws;
3. (c) Residents must ensure that assistance animals and pets do not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of others, or cause substantial physical damage to the development, dwelling unit, or property of other residents;
4. (d) When a resident's care or handling of an assistance animal and/or pet violates these policies, DCHA will consider whether the violation could be reduced or eliminated by a reasonable accommodation. If the DCHA determines that no such accommodation can be made, DCHA may withdraw the approval of a particular assistance animal or pet;
5. (e) Residents shall be responsible for paying for services related to any assistance animal or pet-related rodent or insect infestation, as well as any assistance animal or pet-related property damage, in their unit. The resident shall keep the apartment in a sanitary condition at all times and is responsible for keeping the surrounding areas free of animal odors, waste, and litter;
6. (f) The resident shall store all assistance animal or pet food in sealed containers; and
7. (g) The resident shall be responsible for ensuring the rights of other residents to peace and quiet enjoyment, health, and safety are not infringed upon or diminished by an assistance animal's or pet's noise, odors, waste or other nuisance.

SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 73 DCR 007351 (May 15, 2026).