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Rent Control Laws in Missouri

Missouri has no statewide rent cap, and state law bars counties and cities, including charter governments, from regulating rent on private residential or commercial property.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

Missouri at a glance

Statewide rent cap
No
No state statute capping private residential rent was found.
Local rent control banned
Yes, banned by state law
Exceptions cover property the local government owns, voluntary agreements for subsidized units, and CDBG-assisted properties.
Local rent control
None, state law bars local rent control

Sources

Last checked

The rules in Missouri

Does Missouri have a statewide rent cap?

No. Statewide rent cap in Missouri: no. No state statute capping private residential rent was found.

Does Missouri law ban cities from adopting rent control?

Yes, banned by state law. Local rent control banned in Missouri: yes, banned by state law. Exceptions cover property the local government owns, voluntary agreements for subsidized units, and CDBG-assisted properties.

Which cities in Missouri have rent control?

Local rent control in Missouri: None, state law bars local rent control.

Where do the Missouri rent control laws come from?

The rules above come from Mo. Rev. Stat. 441.043. Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.

Good to know

As amended in 2025 (H.B. 595 and 343, effective August 28, 2025), the statute also bars local rules on housing assistance as a source of income, tenant screening criteria, security deposit limits, and automatic rights of first refusal.

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.

General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.