Rent Control: San Antonio vs Universal City
How do rent control rules compare between San Antonio, TX and Universal City, TX?
San Antonio and Universal City have similar restriction levels.
San Antonio, TX
Bexar County
San Antonio has NO local rent control ordinance. Tex. Local Gov't Code § 214.902 preempts any Texas municipality from adopting rent control unless the governor approves it after a declared housing-emergency disaster. The City of San Antonio Code of Ordinances has no rent stabilization chapter.
View full San Antonio rules →Universal City, TX
Bexar County
Universal City has no rent control because Texas Local Government Code Section 214.902 preempts cities from enacting rent control unless the governor declares a housing emergency approved by the council.
View full Universal City rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | San Antonio | Universal City |
|---|---|---|
| Local Ordinance | None — no city rent control | - |
| Preemption Statute | Tex. Local Gov't Code § 214.902 | - |
| Month-to-Month Notice | 1 month, Tex. Prop. Code § 91.001 | - |
| Security Deposit Return | 30 days after surrender (§ 92.103) | - |
| Enforcement | Texas state courts — no city rent board | - |
| Rent control | - | Prohibited by state law |
| Preemption statute | - | TX Local Gov 214.902 |
| Emergency exception | - | Governor declaration only |
| Month-to-month notice | - | 30 days |
| Deposit return | - | 30 days |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
San Antonio FAQ
Does San Antonio have rent control?
No. San Antonio has never enacted rent control and the San Antonio Code of Ordinances contains no rent stabilization chapter. Tex. Local Gov't Code § 214.902 preempts municipal rent control absent a disaster-related housing-emergency finding and gubernatorial approval.
Can San Antonio pass a rent control ordinance?
Only if the City Council finds a housing emergency due to a declared disaster under Tex. Gov't Code § 418.004 and the governor approves the ordinance. Tex. Local Gov't Code § 214.902 requires both conditions; otherwise any local rent control would be void.
What protections do San Antonio tenants have without rent control?
Tex. Prop. Code Ch. 92 covers security deposits (30-day refund under § 92.103), repair-and-deduct (§§ 92.056–92.0563), and retaliation — Tex. Prop. Code § 92.331 bars a rent increase issued within six months of a protected tenant act, with a one month's rent plus $500 civil penalty under § 92.333.
Universal City FAQ
Can my landlord raise rent any amount?
At lease renewal, yes. Texas has no rent cap. During a fixed-term lease, rent is locked unless the lease allows adjustment.
Could Universal City pass rent control?
Only if the governor declares a housing disaster emergency under Local Government Code 214.902, which has not occurred here.
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