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B 25-0827

Pets in Housing Amendment Act of 2024

25th Council Period (2023-2024) Introduced by Robert White

Expands tenant protections for pets and service animals in DC housing by clarifying rights, limiting pet fees, and restricting no-pets policies.

Final Reading, CC
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Bill Summary · B 25-0827

Summary — B 25-0827: Pets in Housing Amendment Act of 2024

Status: Final Reading, CC
Introduced: May 22, 2024 (Councilmember R. White)
Committee: Referred to and considered by the Committee on Housing (public hearing 10/08/2024; committee report filed 11/25/2024)
Legislative actions: First Reading 12/03/2024; Final Reading 12/17/2024

Purpose and intent (based on title)

The bill’s title — "Pets in Housing Amendment Act of 2024" — indicates the legislation proposes amendments to existing District of Columbia law governing the presence, treatment, and regulation of pets in housing. The principal intent is likely to clarify and modify rights and responsibilities of tenants, landlords, and housing providers concerning companion animals, service/assistance animals, and pet-related policies.

Note: The bill text is not included here. For definitive language and mandates, consult the bill text and the Committee Report filed 2024-11-25.

Key areas that the bill would typically address

While the specific provisions are not provided in the summary record, bills with this title commonly include one or more of the following types of changes:

  • Clarification of definitions (e.g., “pet,” “service animal,” “emotional support animal,” “assistance animal”).
  • Rules on reasonable accommodations and nondiscrimination for service and assistance animals under fair housing and disability law.
  • Limits or standards for pet deposits, pet fees, or nonrefundable charges (caps or prohibitions).
  • Restrictions on “no pets” policies and reasonable allowances for tenants with pets.
  • Requirements for landlords/property managers to follow specific procedures before refusing pets (documentation, inspection, conditional approvals).
  • Prohibitions on breed-specific restrictions or other discriminatory practices related to animals.
  • Enforcement mechanisms, penalties, and remedies for violations (administrative fines, private right of action).
  • Interaction with homeowners’ associations, condominiums, and cooperative housing rules.
  • Implementation dates and transitional provisions for existing leases.

Who would be affected

  • Tenants and prospective renters in District housing (including low-income renters).
  • Landlords, property owners, and property management companies.
  • Homeowners associations, condo boards, and cooperative housing entities.
  • Individuals who use service animals or emotional support animals.
  • District agencies enforcing housing and animal-control laws.

Procedural timeline and next steps

  • Introduced: 2024-05-22
  • Referred to Committee on Housing: 2024-06-11
  • Public hearing: 2024-10-08
  • Committee mark-up and report: 11/21/2024 (mark-up), report filed 11/25/2024
  • First Reading (Council): 12/03/2024
  • Final Reading (Council): 12/17/2024

For full details of the bill’s substantive changes, consult:
- The bill text and legislative history on the Council of the District of Columbia website
- The Housing Committee Report (filed 2024-11-25), which summarizes committee findings, amendments, and fiscal/legal impacts.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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