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PR26-0277 • 2025

Personal Delivery Device Weight Limit Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2025

Personal Delivery Device Weight Limit Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2025

Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor
Allen
Last action
2025-07-18
Official status
Approved
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details on the benefits to District residents or the exact nature of the review process after fall 2025.

Emergency Rule to Increase Weight Limits for Delivery Robots

This emergency rule increases the weight limit for personal delivery devices (PDDs) in Washington, D.C., from 90 pounds to 275 pounds.

What This Bill Does

  • Increases the maximum weight of personal delivery devices (PDDs) from 90 pounds to 275 pounds.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Companies that want to use personal delivery devices (PDDs) weighing over 90 pounds

Terms To Know

Personal Delivery Device (PDD)
A robot or automated vehicle used to deliver packages and goods.
Emergency Declaration
A decision made by the government to quickly change laws when there is an urgent need.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The rule only applies in Washington, D.C. and does not affect other states.
  • It will be reviewed again after a hearing scheduled for fall 2025.

Bill History

  1. 2025-07-18 Council of the District of Columbia LIMS

    Resolution R26-0176, Effective from Jul 14, 2025 Published in DC Register Vol 72 and Page 008034

  2. 2025-07-14 Council of the District of Columbia LIMS

    Retained by the Council

  3. 2025-07-14 Council of the District of Columbia LIMS

    Legislative Meeting

  4. 2025-07-14 Council of the District of Columbia LIMS

    Approved with Resolution Number R26-0176

  5. 2025-07-11 Council of the District of Columbia LIMS

    PR26-0277 Introduced by Councilmember Allen at Office of the Secretary

Official Summary Text

Personal Delivery Device Weight Limit Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2025

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
ENROLLED ORIGINAL

1

A RESOLUTION

26-176

IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

July 14, 2025

To declare the existence of an emergency with respect to the need to amend the Personal
Delivery Device Act of 2018 to increase the weight limit for personal delivery devices.

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this
resolution may be cited as the “Personal Delivery Device Weight Limit Emergency Declaration
Resolution of 2025”.

Sec. 2. (a) The Personal Delivery Device Act of 2018, effective July 17, 2018 (D.C. Law
22-137; D.C. Official Code § 50-110.01 et seq.) (“PDD Act”), created a permitting process for
eligible entities to operate personal delivery devices (“PDDs”) that did not exceed 90 pounds in
weight.
(b) Since the adoption of the PDD Act, several companies have developed new PDD
models that exceed the existing weight limit. The weight limit originally adopted 7 years ago
now presents a barrier to the introduction and use of newer PPD models, some of which possess
enhanced hardware features.
(c) Many states already allow for the operation of PDDs exceeding 90 pounds in weight.
At least 12 states allow PDDs to exceed 500 pounds in weight, and another 7 states that have
approved PDDs have not established a weight limit in statute.
(d) On May 6, 2025, Councilmembers Charles Allen, Zachary Parker, and Christina
Henderson introduced the Personal Delivery Device Weight Limit Amendment Act of 2025, as
introduced on May 6, 2025 (Bill 26-245) (“permanent bill”). The permanent bill would allow the
operation of PDDs weighing up to 275 pounds. The Committee expects to hold a hearing on the
permanent bill in fall 2025.
(e) As of April 2025, no permits authorizing the use of PDDs within the District were in
effect.
(f) Without an immediate change to the PDD weight limit, the District Department of
Transportation is precluded from issuing permits to eligible entities that seek to operate PDDs
that exceed the 90-pound weight limit. Consequently, District residents are deprived of an
innovative and convenient solution for last-mile deliveries, which takes cars off the roads,
reduces carbon emissions, and supports local businesses.

ENROLLED ORIGINAL

2

Sec. 3. The Council of the District of Columbia finds the circumstances enumerated in
section 2 constitute emergency circumstances making it necessary that the Personal Delivery
Device Weight Limit Emergency Amendment Act of 2025 be adopted after a single reading.

Sec. 4. This resolution shall take effect immediately.