D.C. Code tit. 2, ch. 14 § 2-1402.24
Exceptions.
Operative Text
(a) Nothing in this chapter is to be construed to apply to the rental or leasing of housing accommodations in a building in which the owner, or members of his or her family occupy one of the living units and in which there are, or the owner intends that there be, accommodations for not more than: (1) Four families, and only with respect to a prospective tenant, not related to the owner-occupant, with whom the owner-occupant anticipates the necessity of sharing a kitchen or bathroom; or (2) Two families living independently of each other. (b) Nothing contained in the provisions of this chapter shall be deemed to permit any rental or occupancy otherwise prohibited by any statute, or by any regulation previously enacted and not repealed herein. (c) Nothing in this chapter shall apply to the sale or rental of a single-family home sold or rented by an owner if: (1) The owner does not own more than 3 single-family homes at any one time; or own any interest in, or has owned or reserved on his or her behalf, under any express or voluntary agreement, title to any right to all or a portion of the proceeds from the sale or rental of more than 3 single-family homes at any one time. This exemption shall apply only to one sale within a 24-month period of the sale of any single-family home by a private owner not residing in that home at the time of the sale or who was not the most recent resident of that home prior to the sale. (2) The home was sold or rented without: (A) The use of the sales or rental facilities or services of a real estate broker, agent, or salesperson, or of the facilities or services of any person in the business of selling or renting dwellings, or of any employee or agent, or salesperson; and (B) Without the publication, posting or mailing, after notice, of any advertisement in violation of § 2-1402.21(a)(5) .
D.C. Code § 2-1402.24 carves out specific situations where the District's anti-discrimination rules in housing do not apply. Owner-occupied buildings with four or fewer units (where a kitchen or bathroom may be shared with a prospective tenant) and owner-occupied two-family buildings are exempt from the chapter's coverage. Similarly, sales or rentals of single-family homes by small private owners who meet strict conditions—including not owning more than three single-family homes at once and not using a real estate broker or discriminatory advertising—may fall outside the chapter's reach. The provision also makes clear that nothing in the chapter permits any rental or occupancy that is otherwise prohibited by other laws or regulations.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners considering whether D.C. Code § 2-1402.24 applies to their situation generally look at factors such as whether they personally occupy a unit in the building, how many total units or families the building accommodates, and whether any prospective tenant would share a kitchen or bathroom with the owner. For single-family home rentals or sales, compliant operators typically verify that they hold no interest in more than three single-family homes at once, avoid using real estate brokers or agents in the transaction, and refrain from publishing any advertisement that would violate § 2-1402.21(a)(5). Even where an exemption may apply under § 2-1402.24, operators remain subject to any other applicable statutes or regulations that independently govern the rental or occupancy.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
D.C. Code § 2-1402.24 describes narrow circumstances in which the District's fair housing protections may not apply—such as small owner-occupied buildings or certain private single-family home sales conducted without a broker. Tenants who believe they have experienced discriminatory treatment should be aware that these exemptions have specific, limited conditions, and that a situation may not qualify for an exemption even if it superficially resembles one described in the provision. Tenant-rights organizations and the D.C. Office of Human Rights can provide information about whether the exemptions under § 2-1402.24 apply and what complaint or enforcement options may be available.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 14, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
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Rules and statutes that cite this regulation