3 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 4 cities in Franklin County, Ohio.
Verified from official government sources
Franklin County has NO rent control. Ohio ORC §5321.19 explicitly preempts local rent regulation statewide. Landlords may raise rent without cap at lease renewal with 30 days written notice. Columbus considered rent stabilization 2022 but preemption blocks enactment.
ORC 5321.19
Section 5321.19 | Effect of chapter on political subdivisions. (A) Except as provided in division (B) of this section, no political subdivision may enact, adopt, renew, maintain, enforce, or continue in existence any charter provision, ordinance, resolution, rule, or other measure that is in conflict with this chapter, or that regulates the rights and obligations of parties to a rental agreemen...
Franklin County follows Ohio Revised Code Chapter 5321 for landlord-tenant relations. Ohio is not a just-cause eviction state, and Franklin County has not adopted just-cause protections. Landlords may terminate month-to-month tenancies with 30 days notice without stating a reason under ORC 5321.17.
ORC 5321.03 / 5321.17
Section 5321.03 | Action for possession by landlord. (A) Notwithstanding section 5321.02 of the Revised Code, a landlord may bring an action under Chapter 1923. of the Revised Code for possession of the premises if: (1) The tenant is in default in the payment of rent; (2) The violation of the applicable building, housing, health, or safety code that the tenant complained of was primarily caused...
Unincorporated Franklin County does not maintain a countywide rental registration program. Columbus adopted a rental registration ordinance in 2023 (Chapter 4559) requiring landlords to register units, but this applies only within Columbus city limits. Suburbs like Worthington, Upper Arlington, and Dublin set their own rules.
4 cities in Franklin County have their own rental property rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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