B 26-0544

                     COMMITTEE ON HOUSING
                         ROBERT C. WHITE, JR., CHAIR
                      COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
December 12, 2025
Nyasha Howard, Secretary
Council of the District of Columbia
1350 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, DC 20004
Dear Secretary Howard,
Today, I am introducing the Pets in Housing Amendment Act of 2025. Please find enclosed a
signed copy of the legislation, which is co-introduced by Councilmembers Anita Bonds, Janeese
Lewis George, and Zachary Parker.
For too long pet ownership has been a financial burden for many District residents. Many
multifamily buildings prohibit tenants from owning certain dog breeds, including pitbulls,
Rottweilers, and similar mixed-breed dogs, and landlords often charge outrageous first-time pet
deposits of $500 or more and pet rents of $50-$100 per month. In addition, no emergency
housing shelters in DC allow unhoused people to bring their pets. In the District, these issues
disproportionately impact low-income people and residents of color, who are more likely to own
mixed-breed dogs or face financial insecurity.
The Pets in Housing Amendment Act of 2024, which was enacted on March 21, 2025, prohibits
District landlords from banning certain dog breeds and requires at least one DC low-barrier
shelter to allow unhoused residents to bring their pets, and caps pet fees. However, insurance
companies can still charge exorbitant premiums for multifamily buildings that admit dog breeds
perceived as dangerous, making it financially challenging for landlords to lift breed bans. In
addition, the bill was subject to appropriations and has not yet received funding.
By making only the shelter provisions of the original Pets in Housing legislation subject to
appropriations, the Pets in Housing Amendment Act of 2025 ensures that provisions without a
fiscal impact, including pet rent and fee limits, can go into effect. The bill also ensures that
landlords who lift their breed bans pursuant to the original legislation do not have to fear higher
premiums or coverage denials from insurers.
This legislation, in memory of my beloved dog Roscoe, affirms my commitment to combatting
breed restrictions based on junk science and stereotypes. Please contact Legislative Clerk Jakaila
Davis (jdavis@ddccouncil.gov) if you have any questions about the legislation.
Sincerely,
Robert C. White, Jr.
Councilmember At-Large
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2Councilmember Anita Bonds  Councilmember Robert C. White, Jr.
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7Councilmember Zachary Parker  Councilmember Janeese Lewis George
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11A BILL
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15IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
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19 To prohibit insurance providers from inquiring about the specific breed or breed mixture of dogs
20kept on a property, and to prevent insurers from increasing a homeowner’s insurance
21premium based on the breed or breed mixture of such dogs; and to amend the Pets in
22Housing Amendment Act of 2024 to allow portions of the legislation that were found not
23to have unfunded costs to become applicable.
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25BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this
26 act may be cited as the "Pets in Housing Amendment Act of 2025".
27TITLE I. HOME INSURANCE RESTRICTIONS AFFECTING PETS.
28Sec. 101. Pet insurance.
29(a) An insurer providing a policy for a homeowner shall not inquire as to the specific
30 breed or mixture of breeds of dog that is present, maintained, or kept at the property or refuse to
31 issue, cancel, refuse to renew, or increase a premium or rate for a homeowner's insurance policy
32 based on the breed or mixture of breeds of dog that is present, maintained, or kept at the
33 property.
34(b) This section shall not prohibit an insurer from inquiring as to and refusing to issue,
35 cancelling, refusing to renew, or imposing a reasonable increase to a premium or rate for a
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36 homeowner's insurance policy based upon sound underwriting and actuarial principles, including
37 but not limited to the as to whether the behavioral history of an individual dog includes prior
38 aggressive acts or the individual dog is known to be dangerous or has been declared to be
39 dangerous in accordance chapter 19 of the code of the District of Columbia.”.
40TITLE II. RECOGNIZING HOUSING REGULATIONS AS FUNDED.
41Sec. 201. Section 4(a) of the Pets in Housing Amendment Act of 2024, effective March
42 21, 2025 (D.C. Law 25-308; D.C. Official Code passim), is amended by striking the phrase “This
43 act shall apply” and insert the phrase “Section 3 of this act shall apply” in its place.
44TITLE III. FISCAL IMPACT; EFFECTIVE DATE.
45Sec. 301. Fiscal impact statement.
46 The Council adopts the fiscal impact statement in the committee report as the fiscal impact
47 statement required by section, 602(c)(3) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved
48 December 24, 1973 (87 Stat. 813; D.C. Official Code § 1-206.02(c)(3)).
49Sec. 302. Effective date.
50 This act shall take effect following approval by the Mayor (or in the event of veto by the Mayor,
51 action by the Council to override the veto) and a 30-day period of congressional review as
52 provided in section 602(c)(1) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved December
53 24, 1973 (87 Stat. 813; D.C. Official Code § 1-206.02(c)(1)).
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