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Rent Control Laws in Ohio

Ohio has no statewide rent cap, and since September 23, 2022 state law bars political subdivisions from imposing rent control or rent stabilization.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

Ohio 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 housing a city owns or operates and rent terms tied to voluntary incentives such as tax abatements.
Local rent control
None, state law bars local rent control

Sources

Last checked

The rules in Ohio

Does Ohio have a statewide rent cap?

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

Does Ohio law ban cities from adopting rent control?

Yes, banned by state law. Local rent control banned in Ohio: yes, banned by state law. Exceptions cover housing a city owns or operates and rent terms tied to voluntary incentives such as tax abatements.

Which cities in Ohio have rent control?

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

Where do the Ohio rent control laws come from?

The rules above come from Ohio Rev. Code 5321.19. Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.

Good to know

House Bill 430 (134th General Assembly) amended R.C. 5321.19 effective September 23, 2022 to add the express ban on rent control and rent stabilization.

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.