District of Columbia Pet Limit Laws: How Many Pets Can You Own?

The District of Columbia is one of the few places in this guide with a real pet limit set by law: keeping 7 or more animals requires an animal hobby permit, and dogs, cats, rabbits or ferrets beyond 4 in combination can be impounded without one.

District of Columbia pet limit rules at a glance

What District of Columbia law says

• D.C. Code 8-1804.01 requires an animal hobby permit for 7 or more animals over 4 months and larger than a guinea pig.
• Hobby permits are not issued for commercial purposes.
• The Mayor must impound dogs, cats, rabbits or ferrets exceeding 4 in combination, or exceeding the permit number (8-1805).
• Commercial breeders producing more than 25 animals a year need a license (8-1821.01); boarding, grooming and training businesses need a business license (8-1821.02).

Where pet limits usually come from

• D.C. law. The District sets its own limit and permit rule, described above.
• Zoning rules. Keeping many animals can turn a home into a "kennel" use that is not allowed in residential zones.
• Leases and HOAs. Landlords and homeowners associations can set lower limits than the law, and many restrict size or breed.
• Nuisance and cruelty laws. Even without a number cap, barking, odor or poor care can lead to enforcement.

How to check the limit for your address

1. Count every dog, cat, rabbit and ferret over 4 months in your home; above 4 combined, or 7 animals in total, you need a permit.
2. Read your lease or HOA covenants.
3. Ask local animal services; they also sell dog licenses and can tell you whether a multi-dog or kennel license is needed.

Thinking about adding another pet? Local shelters and rescues can tell you what the adoption process involves; see how adopting a dog or cat works.

Sources

1. Michigan State University Animal Legal & Historical Center: District of Columbia dog laws
2. Michigan State University Animal Legal & Historical Center: State commercial pet breeder laws