Pets in Housing Amendment Act of 2024

This bill limits the fees and restrictions landlords in the District of Columbia can charge tenants for having pets. It defines common household pets as typical domestic animals like dogs, cats, and small mammals, while explicitly exempting service and assistance animals from these rules. Under the new regulations, landlords may charge a pet security deposit capped at 15% of the monthly rent and an additional rent fee of up to 1% of the first month's rent per dog, but they are prohibited from banning pets based on breed, size, or weight. Furthermore, the act requires the city to ensure that at least one low-barrier homeless shelter provides space for individuals accompanied by a pet by October 1, 2026. These changes apply to residential leases starting after October 1, 2025, for most provisions, with the homeless shelter requirement taking effect by October 1, 2026.