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Brownsville, TX Rental Property Rules: Rent Control (2026)

Few Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified July 2026

Rent control rules in Brownsville, TX, also known as rent stabilization or rent cap ordinances, limit annual rent increases and protect tenants from displacement.

Key Facts

Local rent control
None
State authority
Tex. Loc. Gov't Code § 214.902
Precondition
Disaster emergency plus governor approval
Deposit refund deadline
30 days after surrender
Rent increase notice
Set by the lease

Summary

Brownsville sets no limit on rent or rent increases. Texas Local Government Code § 214.902 lets a city adopt rent control only after it finds a housing emergency caused by a declared disaster and the governor approves the ordinance.

The governing body of a municipality may, by ordinance, establish rent control if: (1) the governing body finds that a housing emergency exists due to a disaster as defined by Section 418.004, Government Code; and (2) the governor approves the ordinance.

Source: Brownsville Code of Ordinances & Unified Development CodeView official code

Full Breakdown

The § 214.902 gate is narrow enough to function as a flat bar. The city commission must find a housing emergency arising from a disaster as defined in Government Code § 418.004, and the governor must approve the ordinance, and the city must continue or discontinue the controls in step with the state disaster declaration. Brownsville has adopted no such ordinance. What does apply is Property Code Chapter 92: security deposits refunded within 30 days of surrender under § 92.103, the landlord's duty to repair conditions affecting health and safety, and protection against retaliation. Rent amounts and renewal terms come from the lease.

Violations & Fines

No local rent ceiling exists to violate. Deposit and repair disputes go to Cameron County justice court, where a tenant can pursue statutory damages under Property Code Chapter 92.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a cap on rent increases in Brownsville?
No. Neither the city nor the state caps residential rent or rent increases. The lease governs how much notice a landlord owes before raising rent at renewal.
Could Brownsville just pass rent control?
Only after the city commission finds a housing emergency caused by a declared disaster and the governor approves the ordinance, under Local Government Code § 214.902. Brownsville has not done so.
What protections do renters have instead?
Property Code Chapter 92 sets the landlord's repair duty, security deposit rules including the 30-day refund deadline, and a bar on retaliation against a tenant who requests repairs in good faith.

Sources & Official References

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All Brownsville rules

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