Dog licenses are issued by the Division of Animal Disease Prevention in the Environmental Health Administration. Dog owners must show proof that their pets have had rabies and distemper shots and renew their dog’s license each year. Get more information about licensing requirements, fees, and procedures from the links below.
Legal Requirements:
The DC Code 8-1804 reads as follows:
(b) An owner who has a dog over the age of four months shall before July 1st of each year, or within 10 days of acquiring the dog, or within 10 days after the dog becomes four months of age, obtain an annual license. An owner shall ensure that his dog wears a collar and a license.
(c) Before any annual license may be issued, the owner of the dog shall have the dog vaccinated against rabies and distemper, and shall pay any outstanding fines.
(e) Except as provided in subsection (f) of this section, the annual license fee for a dog is as follows:
- No fee for a dog trained to aid the audio-handicapped or blind and actually used for that purpose;
- $13.00 for a male dog certified by a licensed veterinarian as either neutered or incapable of enduring neutering;
- $13.00 for a female dog certified by a licensed veterinarian as either spayed or incapable of enduring spaying; and
- $46.00 for all other dogs.
Application/Processing Requirements:
Please read and follow the instructions below carefully. A correctly completed application will expedite the issuance of your dog license.
- Please complete your application with current information.
- Proof of rabies and distemper vaccinations is required.
- Proof of sterilization (spaying or neutering) is required.
- Each dog over four months old must have his/her own license.
- Owners with five or more dogs over four months old must apply for a hobby license.
By Mail
Please forward the required information and a check or money order made out to DC Treasurer to the address above.
Department of Health
Division of Animal Disease Prevention
51 N Street, NE
6th Floor
Washington, DC 20002
(202) 535-2323
(202) 535-2325
In Person
- Please bring the required information to the address above on Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:15 pm.
- Please call the number above to make any special provisions for special needs applicants.
Click here for a dog license application.
