Rent Control Laws by State
Rent control means a legal limit on how much a landlord can charge or how much rent can go up for a residential unit. Some states set a cap that applies statewide, usually as a maximum yearly percentage increase. Others leave the question to cities and counties, and some states pass laws that stop local governments from adopting rent control at all.
47 states and DC compared. Last checked .
At a glance
- Statewide rent cap
- 5 of 45
- States and DC where the answer is yes or yes in some cases.
- Local rent control banned
- 35 of 43
- States and DC where the answer is yes or yes in some cases.
Compare rent control laws
This guide compares, for each state and DC, whether a statewide rent cap exists, whether state law bans or limits local rent control, and which local governments have rent control in place. Rent control rules often exempt newer buildings, single-family homes, or small landlords, so check the exact statute and any local ordinance before relying on a number.
48 of 48 shown
| Local rent control | Sources | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ALAlabama | No | Yes, banned by state law | None, state law bars local rent controlLocal governments may still manage and control property in which they have a property interest. | |
| AZArizona | No | Yes, banned by state law | None, state law bars local rent controlThe ban does not apply to housing owned, financed, insured or subsidized by a state agency, city or town. | |
| ARArkansas | No | Yes, banned by state law | None, state law bars local rent controlLocal governments may still manage and control residential property in which they have a property interest. | |
| CACalifornia | Yes, 5% plus CPI, max 10% | No, but state law limits local laws | 30+ cities and counties, incl. LA, SF, Oakland, San JoseAG chart lists Berkeley, Oakland, Hayward, Alameda, Antioch, Concord, Richmond, Los Angeles, LA County, Santa Monica, West Hollywood, Pasadena, Sacramento, Mountain View, Santa Ana and others. | |
| COColorado | No | Yes, banned by state law | None, state law bars local rent controlCounties and cities may use voluntary agreements or deed restrictions with owners to limit rent for affordable housing. | |
| CTConnecticut | No | Barred by case law, fair rent commissions allowed | No rent control, towns use fair rent commissionsTowns of 15,000 or more must create or join a fair rent commission by Jan. 1, 2028 under the current text of C.G.S. 7-148b. | |
| DEDelaware | Only for manufactured home lots | Not listed | Not listed | |
| DCDistrict of Columbia | Yes, 2% plus CPI, max 10% | No | District-wide rent stabilization program | |
| FLFlorida | No | Yes, banned by state law | None, state law bars local rent controlInclusionary housing and other land use measures to increase affordable housing remain allowed. | |
| GAGeorgia | No | Yes, banned by state law | None, state law bars local rent controlLocal governments may regulate rents on property they or their authorities own and through agreements with private owners. | |
| HIHawaii | Not listed | No, counties may regulate rentals | Not listed | |
| IDIdaho | No | Yes, banned by state law | None, state law bars local rent controlLocal governments may still manage and control residential property in which they have a property interest. | |
| ILIllinois | No | Yes, banned by state law | None, state law bars local rent controlLocal governments may still manage and control residential property in which they have a property interest. | |
| INIndiana | No | Yes, banned by state law | None, state law bars local rent controlRent rules tied to government-assisted affordable housing are outside the ban. | |
| IAIowa | No | Yes, banned by state law | None, state law bars local rent controlCities and counties may still manage and control residential property in which they have a property interest. | |
| KSKansas | No | Yes, banned by state law | None, state law bars local rent controlOwners may voluntarily agree to rent limits in return for local grants or incentives; local governments may manage property they own. | |
| KYKentucky | No | Yes, only the legislature can control rents | None, state law bars local rent control | |
| LALouisiana | No | Yes, lessor rights can be limited only by state law | None known | |
| MEMaine | No | No | PortlandPortland caps yearly increases at an Allowable Increase Percentage (2.2% for 2026, 2.6% for 2027), with exemptions and banked rent. | |
| MDMaryland | No | No | Includes Montgomery County and Takoma ParkMontgomery County: lower of CPI-U plus 3% or 6% (5.2% for July 2026 to June 2027). Takoma Park: 3% for July 2026 to June 2027. | |
| MAMassachusetts | No | Yes, with a narrow exception | None, state law bars local rent control | |
| MIMichigan | No | Yes, banned by state law | None, state law bars local rent control | |
| MNMinnesota | No | Only if approved by voters | Saint PaulSaint Paul limits increases to 3% in 12 months, with exceptions including new construction (amended effective January 1, 2023 and June 13, 2025). | |
| MSMississippi | No | Yes, without legislative approval | None, state law bars local rent control | |
| MOMissouri | No | Yes, banned by state law | None, state law bars local rent control | |
| MTMontana | No | Yes, banned by state law | None, state law bars local rent control | |
| NENebraska | No | Yes, since 2025 | None, state law bars local rent control | |
| NHNew Hampshire | No | Not listed | Not listed | |
| NJNew Jersey | No | No | 120 municipalities, incl. Newark, Jersey CityThe DCA 2026 survey lists 120 towns, including Newark, Jersey City, Hoboken, Paterson, Elizabeth, Trenton, and Bayonne. | |
| NMNew Mexico | No | Yes, banned by state law | None, state law bars local rent control | |
| NYNew York | No | No, state law authorizes it | New York City, Kingston, parts of Nassau, Rockland, WestchesterETPA covers buildings of 6 or more units built before 1974 in adopting localities. Rent control covers some pre-1947 buildings in NYC, Nassau, and Westchester. | |
| NCNorth Carolina | No | Yes, banned by state law | None, state law bars local rent control | |
| NDNorth Dakota | No | Yes, banned by state law | None, state law bars local rent control | |
| OHOhio | No | Yes, banned by state law | None, state law bars local rent control | |
| OKOklahoma | No | Yes, banned by state law | None, state law bars local rent control | |
| OROregon | Yes, 7% plus CPI, max 10% | Yes, banned by state law | None, state law bars local rent controlCities and counties may impose temporary rent controls only after a disaster that removes much of the rental housing supply. | |
| PAPennsylvania | No | Not listed | Not listed | |
| RIRhode Island | Not listed | Not listed | Providence 4% cap vetoed in 2026, not in effectThe council passed the ordinance 9 to 6; the May 15, 2026 override vote fell short of the 10 votes needed. | |
| SCSouth Carolina | No | Yes, banned by state law | None, state law bars local rent control | |
| SDSouth Dakota | No | Yes, banned by state law | None, state law bars local rent control | |
| TNTennessee | No | Yes, banned by state law | None, state law bars local rent control | |
| TXTexas | No | Yes, except in a declared disaster | None outside a governor-approved disaster emergency | |
| UTUtah | No | Yes, without legislative approval | None, state law bars local rent control | |
| VTVermont | No | Not listed | None in effectBurlington's 2026 charter change request covers notice periods only, not rent stabilization. | |
| VAVirginia | No | No express ban, but no local authority | None, Alexandria has voluntary guidelines onlyAlexandria adopted voluntary guidelines in 2019 asking landlords to cap increases at 5% a year. | |
| WAWashington | Yes, 7% plus CPI, max 10% | Yes, banned by state law | None, state law bars local rent control | |
| WVWest Virginia | Not listed | No express ban found | Not listed | |
| WIWisconsin | No | Yes, banned by state law | None, state law bars local rent control |
Alaska, Nevada and Wyoming are not listed because we could not confirm the current rule from the statute text.
General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.
What this means in practice
Even where there is no rent control, a landlord usually cannot raise the rent during a fixed-term lease unless the lease allows it. Increases normally take effect at renewal or after written notice for a month-to-month tenancy, and notice periods are set by state law.
Rent caps and rent stabilization rules commonly have exemptions, such as buildings built in recent years, owner-occupied duplexes, or units owned by individuals rather than companies. A unit can sit in a covered city and still be exempt, so read the coverage section of the law closely.
Local rent control ordinances change through ballot measures and council votes more often than state law does. If you rent or own property in a city that regulates rent, check the city or county housing department for the current allowable increase and any registration requirements.
Rent Control Laws: state by state
- Alabama
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between rent control and rent stabilization?
The terms are often used loosely. Rent control usually refers to a strict limit on the rent amount itself, while rent stabilization usually refers to a cap on how much rent can increase each year, often tied to inflation. The exact meaning depends on the statute or ordinance.
Can a state stop cities from adopting rent control?
Yes. A state can pass a preemption law that bars cities and counties from regulating private residential rents. Where such a law exists, local rent control ordinances are not allowed unless the state law makes an exception.
Does rent control apply to every rental unit?
Usually not. Rent control and rent cap laws commonly exempt certain properties, such as newer construction, some single-family homes, or subsidized housing. Whether a specific unit is covered depends on the wording of the state law or local ordinance.
If my state has no rent control, can my landlord raise the rent by any amount?
Without a rent cap, the size of an increase is generally not limited, but the landlord still has to follow the lease and give the advance written notice that state law requires. Increases also cannot be retaliatory or discriminatory under landlord-tenant and fair housing laws.
Statewide rent cap: which states say yes?
Of the 45 jurisdictions we checked, the answer is yes in 4 jurisdictions, in some cases in 1, no in 40. Yes: California, District of Columbia, Oregon and Washington. In some cases: Delaware.
Local rent control banned: which states say yes?
Of the 43 jurisdictions we checked, the answer is yes in 32 jurisdictions, in some cases in 3, no in 8. Yes: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin. In some cases: Connecticut, Minnesota and Virginia.