D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 14, § 7003
7003.1 Section 7003 contains the following pet policies that apply to all developments:
7003.2 DCHA shall refuse to register a pet if:
(a) The pet is not “a common household pet” as defined in § 7002.9(a) below;
(b) Keeping the pet would violate any pet restrictions listed in this Chapter;
(c) The pet owner fails to provide complete pet registration information, or fails to update the registration annually; and
(d) DCHA reasonably determines that the pet owner is unable to keep the pet in compliance with the house rules and other lease obligations. The pet's temperament and behavior may be considered as a factor in determining the pet owner's ability to comply with provisions of the lease.
7003.3 If DCHA refuses to approve a pet, a written notification shall be sent to the pet owner within ten (10) business days of DCHA's decision.
7003.4 The notice in § 7003.3 shall state the reason for refusing to register the pet and informs the family of their right to appeal the decision in accordance with DCHA's public housing grievance policy in accordance with Chapter 79.
7003.5 Residents who have been approved to have a pet must enter into a pet agreement with DCHA, or the approval of the pet shall be withdrawn.
7003.6 The pet agreement is the resident's certification that they have received a copy of DCHA's pet policy or applicable house rules, that they have read the policies or rules, understand them, and agree to comply with them.
7003.7 The resident further certifies by signing the pet agreement that they understand that noncompliance with DCHA's pet policy and applicable house rules may result in the withdrawal of DCHA approval of the pet or termination of tenancy.
7003.8 DCHA will not require pet owners to obtain or carry liability insurance.
7003.9 DCHA's definitions related to common household pets are:
(a) "Common household pet" means a domesticated animal, such as a dog, cat, bird, or fish that is traditionally recognized as a companion animal and is kept in the home for pleasure rather than commercial purposes.
(b) "Animals" that are not considered common household pets include but is not limited to the following:
(1) Reptiles;
(2) Rodents;
(3) Insects;
(4) Arachnids;
(5) Wild animals or feral animals;
(6) Pot-bellied pigs; or
(7) Animals used for commercial breeding.
(c) The following animals are not permitted as pets:
(1) Any animal whose adult weight exceeds twenty-five (25) pounds;
(2) Ferrets or other animals whose natural protective mechanisms pose a risk to small children of serious bites or lacerations; and
(3) Any animal not permitted under District law or code.
7003.10 The following are limitations on the amount of pets:
(a) Subject to the conditions set forth in § 7002.1(d), residents may own a maximum of two (2) pets;
(b) In the case of fish, residents may keep no more than can be maintained in a safe and healthy manner in a tank holding up to twenty (20) gallons. A tank/aquarium counts as one (1) pet.
7003.11 The following are resident responsibilities regarding the registration of a pet:
(a) Dogs and cats must be spayed or neutered at the time of registration or, in the case of underage animals, within thirty (30) days of the pet reaching six (6) months of age. Exceptions may be made upon veterinary certification that subjecting this particular pet to the procedure would be temporarily or permanently medically unsafe or unnecessary;
(b) Pets must be licensed in accordance with District law. Residents must provide proof of licensing at the time of registration and annually, in conjunction with the resident's reexamination; and
(c) Execute and abide by the pet policy lease addendum providing for the proper care and maintenance of the animal and the unit in accordance with DCHA rules and policies. Failure to abide by the pet policy will be considered a violation of the lease.
7003.12 A resident has the following duties regarding pet care and maintenance:- (a) Pet owners must maintain pets responsibly, in accordance with DCHA policies, and in compliance with applicable District public health, animal control, and animal cruelty laws and regulations, including vaccination (§ 8-1803), licenses and fees (§ 8-1804), and prohibited conduct (§ 8-1808);
- (b) Pets must be maintained within the resident's unit. When outside of the unit (within the building or on the grounds) dogs and cats must be kept on a leash or carried. They must be under the control of the resident or other responsible individual at all times;
- (c) Pets other than dogs or cats must be kept in a cage or carrier when outside of the unit;
- (d) Pets are not permitted in common areas including lobbies, community rooms and laundry areas except for those common areas which are entrances to and exits from the building; and
- (e) Pet owners are not permitted to exercise pets or permit pets to deposit waste on project premises outside of the areas designated for such purposes.7003.13 DCHA may designate buildings, floors of buildings, or sections of buildings as no-pet areas where pets generally may not be permitted. Pet rules may also designate buildings, floors of building, or sections of building for residency by pet-owning tenants.7003.14 DCHA may direct initial tenant moves as may be necessary to establish pet and no-pet areas. DCHA may not refuse to admit, or delay admission of, an applicant on the grounds that the applicant's admission would violate a pet or no-pet area. DCHA may adjust the pet and no-pet areas or may direct such additional moves as may be necessary to accommodate such applicants for tenancy or to meet the changing needs of the existing tenants.7003.15 [RESERVED]7003.16 A resident has the following duties to mitigate waste and smells:- (a) The pet owner shall be responsible for the removal of waste from the exercise area by placing it in a sealed plastic bag and disposing of it in a container provided by DCHA;
- (b) The pet owner shall take adequate precautions to eliminate any pet odors
within or around the unit and to maintain the unit in a sanitary condition at all times; and
(c) Litter box requirements:
(1) Pet owners must promptly dispose of waste from litter boxes and must maintain litter boxes in a sanitary manner;
(2) Litter shall not be disposed of by being flushed through a toilet; and
(3) Litter boxes shall be kept inside the resident's dwelling unit.
7003.17 The following are restrictions on pet modifications to the unit:
(a) Pet owners shall not alter their unit, patio, premises, or common areas to create an enclosure for any animal; and
(b) Installation of pet doors is prohibited.
7003.18 Pet owners must agree to control the noise of pets so that such noise does not constitute a nuisance to other residents or interrupt their peaceful enjoyment of their housing unit or premises. This includes, but is not limited to loud or continuous barking, howling, whining, biting, scratching, chirping, or other such activities.
7003.19 Other pet requirements include:
(a) Each pet owner shall be responsible for adequate care, nutrition, exercise, and medical attention for their pet.
(b) Each pet owner shall be responsible for appropriately training and caring for their pet to ensure that the pet is not a nuisance or danger to other residents and does not damage DCHA property.
(c) No animals may be tethered or chained inside or outside the dwelling unit at any time.
(d) The pet owner is required to designate a responsible party for the care of the pet if the health or safety of the pet is threatened by the death or incapacity of the pet owner, or by other factors that render the pet owner unable to care for the pet.
(e) The resident who cares for another resident's pet must notify DCHA and
sign a statement that they agree to abide by all of the pet rules.
7003.20 Except for emergencies, management shall not enter the dwelling unit for performance of repairs or inspections where a pet resides unless accompanied for the entire duration of the inspection or repair by the pet owner or responsible person designated by the pet owner.7003.21 When management is inside a unit for repairs or inspections, the pet must be held under physical restraint by the pet owner or responsible person until management has completed its tasks.7003.22 Any delays or interruptions suffered by management in the inspection, maintenance, and upkeep of the premises due to the presence of a pet may cause for lease termination.7003.23 For pets that are temporarily on the premises:- (a) Pets that are not owned by a tenant are not allowed on the premises, except for service animals defined in 7001.2 necessary for a guest.
- (b) Residents are prohibited from feeding or harboring stray animals.
- (c) Section 7003.23 does not apply to visiting pet programs sponsored by a humane society or other non-profit organizations and approved by DCHA.7003.24 The following applies to pet complaints:- (a) All complaints of cruelty and all dog bites are referred to animal control or an applicable agency for investigation and enforcement.
- (b) If a determination is made on objective facts supported by written statements, that a resident/pet owner has violated the pet rules, written notice shall be served on the resident/pet owner.
- (c) The notice contains a brief statement of the factual basis for the determination and the pet rule(s) that were violated. The notice also states:
- (1) That the pet owner has ten (10) business days from the effective date of the service of notice to correct the violation or make written request for a meeting to discuss the violation;
(2) That the pet owner is entitled to be accompanied by another person of their choice at the meeting; and
(3) That the pet owner's failure to correct the violation, request a meeting, or appear at a requested meeting may result in initiation of procedures to remove the pet, or to terminate the pet owner's tenancy.
(d) If the pet owner and DCHA are unable to resolve the violation at the meeting or the pet owner fails to correct the violation in the time period allotted by DCHA, DCHA may serve notice to remove the pet.
(e) The notice shall contain:
(1) A brief statement of the factual basis for DCHA's determination of the pet rule that has been violated;
(2) The requirement that the resident/pet owner must remove the pet within thirty (30) calendar days of the notice; and
(3) A statement that failure to remove the pet may result in the initiation of termination of tenancy procedures.
7003.25 In the case of the death or incapacity of the pet owner:
(a) If the death or incapacity of the pet owner threatens the health or safety of the pet, or other factors occur that render the owner unable to care for the pet, the situation shall be reported to the responsible party designated by the pet owner; and
(b) If the responsible party is unwilling or unable to care for the pet, or if DCHA after reasonable efforts cannot contact the responsible party, DCHA may contact the appropriate District agency and request the removal of the pet.
7003.26 DCHA may initiate procedures for termination of tenancy based on a pet rule violation if:
(a) The pet owner has failed to remove the pet or correct a pet rule violation within the time period specified; and
(b) The pet rule violation is sufficient to begin procedures to terminate tenancy under terms of the lease.
7003.27 DCHA's response to problem pets includes the following:
(a) DCHA takes all necessary steps to ensure that pets that become vicious, display symptoms of severe illness, or demonstrate behavior that constitutes an immediate threat to the health or safety of others, are immediately removed from the premises by referring the situation to the appropriate District entity authorized to remove such animals;
(b) If it is necessary for DCHA to place the pet in a shelter facility, the cost is the responsibility of the pet owner; and
(c) If the pet is removed as a result of any aggressive act on the part of the pet, the pet is not allowed back on the premises.
SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 73 DCR 007351 (May 15, 2026).