D.C. Code tit. 8 § 8-2032
Pet ownership policy established.
Operative Text
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the owner or operator of locally assisted housing accommodations for elderly persons or persons with disabilities shall not: (1) As a condition of tenancy or otherwise, prohibit or prevent an elderly tenant or tenant with a disability from owning common household pets or keeping common household pets in the rental unit of the tenant; or (2) Discriminate against any person in connection with admission to, or continued occupancy of, that rental unit by reason of the ownership of common household pets by that person or the presence of common household pets in the rental unit of that person.
Under D.C. Code § 8-2031 et seq. § 8-2032, operators of locally assisted housing for elderly persons or persons with disabilities are prohibited from banning common household pets as a condition of tenancy or otherwise preventing covered tenants from keeping pets in their units. The provision also bars discrimination in admission or continued occupancy decisions based on a prospective or current tenant's pet ownership. This rule applies specifically to locally assisted housing accommodations and overrides conflicting provisions in other laws.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of locally assisted housing for elderly or disabled residents must review their lease terms and admissions policies to ensure compliance with D.C. Code § 8-2031 et seq. § 8-2032, which prohibits blanket pet bans and pet-based discrimination for covered tenants. Compliant operators generally avoid lease clauses that condition tenancy on the absence of common household pets and refrain from denying or terminating tenancy solely because a qualifying tenant owns a pet. Reviewing existing policies with qualified legal counsel familiar with D.C. housing law is a common step operators take when updating their governing documents.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
D.C. Code § 8-2031 et seq. § 8-2032 establishes that elderly tenants and tenants with disabilities living in locally assisted housing have the right to own and keep common household pets without that fact being used as grounds for denial of admission or eviction. If a landlord attempts to enforce a no-pet policy or takes adverse action based on pet ownership, tenants may have grounds to raise this provision as a defense in any resulting proceeding. Tenant-rights organizations in the District of Columbia can provide general information about how this protection has been applied and what complaint or enforcement paths 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 13, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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