Washington, DC Public Health Rules: Rodent Control (2026)
Key Facts
- Grass/weed limit
- 8 inches on owned property
- Abatement deadline
- 14 days after notice
- Extermination requirement
- licensed, certified pest controller
- Max criminal fine
- $10,000 per offense
- Max jail term
- 90 days
Summary
District law bans letting debris pile up or grass grow past 8 inches on property you own, and requires sealing rodent entryways once harborage is found, with a 14-day abatement deadline.
It shall be unlawful for any person to cause or permit the accumulation of debris on public or private property or cause or permit weeds or grass to grow to a height of 8 inches or more on private property which they own... Any person who fails to abate the condition causing rodent harborage shall be liable to arrest and upon conviction shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be subject to a fine for each offense not to exceed $10,000, or shall be imprisoned for a period not to exceed 90 days, or both.
Full Breakdown
Under D.C. Code § 8-2103.05, property owners may not cause or permit debris accumulation or weeds/grass over 8 inches on land they own. When a property changes hands or occupancy, the owner must inspect for signs of rodent harborage; if found, all rodent entryways must be sealed with hardware cloth or similar material, and any active infestation must be abated. Once the Mayor notifies an owner of a violation, they have 14 days to abate the condition, and any extermination of an existing rodent population must be performed by a licensed and certified pest controller.
Violations & Fines
Failure to abate within 14 days of Mayor's notice is a misdemeanor: arrest, conviction, a fine up to $10,000 per offense, and/or up to 90 days imprisonment; civil fines are also available as an alternative sanction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to inspect for rodents when I buy or rent out a D.C. property?
Who can legally exterminate rodents once an infestation is confirmed?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Washington
Compare Washington to another location·View the District of Columbia public health rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.