6 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in District of Columbia, District of Columbia.
Verified from official government sources
Keeping chickens and livestock in DC is tightly restricted. Under DC Code section 8-1808 and DCMR Title 24 Chapter 9, it is unlawful to keep hogs, cattle, sheep, goats, horses, or poultry including chickens within the District except under specific permits. DC is essentially a chicken-free jurisdiction for residents, with limited exceptions for educational and agricultural-zoned uses.
D.C. Code § 8-1808(j) — Prohibited conduct (animals); permitted species
(j)(1) Except as provided in this subsection, a person shall not import into the District, possess, display, offer for sale, trade, barter, exchange, or adoption, or give as a household pet, any living member of the animal kingdom, including those born or raised in captivity, except the following: (A) Domestic dogs, excluding hybrids with wolves, coyotes, or jackals; (B) Domestic cats, excludin...
DC requires all dogs to be on a leash in public areas under DC Code 8-1808, with designated off-leash dog parks as the exception. All dogs over 4 months must be licensed annually with proof of rabies and distemper vaccination under DC Code 8-1804.
D.C. Code § 8-1808(a), (e), (l) — Animals at large; leash requirement
(a)(1) An owner or custodian shall not allow his or her animal to go at large. (2) If a dog injures a person while at large, lack of knowledge of the dog's vicious propensity standing alone shall not absolve the owner from a finding of negligence. [...] (e) A dog shall not be permitted on any school ground or on any public recreation area, other than a dog park, unless the dog is on a leash, te...
Washington DC has no breed-specific legislation. DC Code Chapter 19 (8-1901 et seq.) uses a behavior-based approach to dangerous dogs, focusing on individual animal conduct rather than breed. No breeds are banned or subject to special requirements.
D.C. Code § 8-1901 — Dangerous Dogs Definitions
For the purposes of this chapter, the term: (1)(A) "Dangerous dog" means any dog that without provocation: (i) Causes a serious injury to a person or domestic animal; or (ii) Engages in behavior described in paragraph (4)(A)(i) of this section subsequent to having been determined to be a potentially dangerous dog pursuant to § 8-1902. (B) The term "dangerous dog" shall not include dogs used by ...
Beekeeping is permitted in Washington DC. DOEE oversees urban beekeeping with standard practices for hive placement and colony numbers based on lot size. No specific license is required for small-scale residential beekeeping.
DC regulates exotic pet ownership under DC Code 8-1801 through 8-1814 and the DC Health Department. Certain wild and dangerous animals are prohibited. The Animal Care and Control Omnibus Amendment Act of 2022 requires pet stores to sell only shelter or rescue animals.
D.C. Code § 8-1801 — Animal Control Definitions
For the purposes of this subchapter, the term: [...] (9)(A) "At large" means any animal found off the premises of its owner or custodian and not leashed, tethered, or otherwise under adequate means of control of a person capable of physically restraining it. (B) The term "at large" shall not include a dog in a dog park pursuant to § 8-1810.02. (C) The term "at large" shall not include cats. (10...
DC prohibits intentional feeding of deer, raccoons, rats, pigeons, and waterfowl in public parks and property under DCMR 19-700 (DPR parks) and DC Code section 8-2004 (rat abatement). Feeding that creates a nuisance or attracts rats is grounds for an order from DC Health. Bird feeders that spill seed and attract rats commonly generate complaints.
1 cities in District of Columbia have their own animal ordinances rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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