Denton County, TX Rental Property Rules: Rent Control (2026)

Texas Local Government Code Section 214.902, enacted in 2003, provides that a municipality or county may not adopt an ordinance, order, or other measure that would have the effect of controlling the amount of rent charged for leasing private residential or commercial property. This preemption is absolute and applies to all forms of rent regulation including rent caps, rent stabilization, mandatory rent increase limits, and any scheme that would directly or indirectly control rental pricing. The statute was passed by the Texas Legislature to ensure uniform statewide real estate market conditions. Denton County has one of the fastest-growing rental markets in the DFW metroplex, with significant apartment construction along the I-35E and I-35W corridors. Despite rapid rent increases in cities like Denton, Lewisville, and the Frisco-adjacent areas, no local government has the authority to cap or limit rent. Landlords must still comply with Texas Property Code Chapter 92 regarding lease terms, security deposits, repair obligations, and notice requirements for rent increases on month-to-month leases (one full rental period notice required).