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Pasco County, FL Rental Property Rules: Rent Control (2026)

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

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

Key Facts

State Preemption
F.S. §166.043 / §166.0445
Local Rent Cap
Prohibited
Increase Notice (M2M)
15 days per F.S. §83.57
HB 1417 (2023)
Further preempted tenant rules
Habitability
F.S. §83.51 still applies

Summary

Pasco County has no rent control. Florida Statute §166.043(2) flatly prohibits local rent control: the 2023 Live Local Act removed the old emergency-referendum exception. Landlords may raise rent by any amount with proper F.S. Ch. 83 Part II notice.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Pasco County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

F.S. 166.043 Ordinances and rules imposing price controls. (1)(a) Except as hereinafter provided, a county, municipality, or other entity of local government may not adopt or maintain in effect an ordinance or a rule that has the effect of imposing price controls upon a lawful business activity that is not franchised by, owned by, or under contract with, the governmental agency, unless specifically provided by general law. (b) This section does not prevent the enactment by local governments of public service rates otherwise authorized by law, including water, sewer, solid waste, public transportation, taxicab, or port rates; rates for towing of vehicles or vessels from or immobilization of vehicles or vessels on private property; or rates for removal and storage of wrecked or disabled vehicles or vessels from an accident scene or the removal and storage of vehicles or vessels, in the event the owner or operator is incapacitated, unavailable, leaves the procurement of wrecker service to the law enforcement officer at the scene, or otherwise does not consent to the removal of the vehicle or vessel. (2) A municipality, county, or other entity of local government may not adopt or maintain in effect any law, ordinance, rule, or other measure that would have the effect of imposing controls on rents. (3) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this section, municipalities, counties, or other entity of local government may adopt and maintain in effect any law, ordinance, rule, or other measure which is adopted for the purposes of increasing the supply of affordable housing using land use mechanisms such as inclusionary housing ordinances.

Source: Florida Statute §166.043View official code

Full Breakdown

Pasco County does not and legally cannot impose rent control. Florida Statute §166.043(2) preempts local rent control outright; the 2023 Live Local Act (SB 102) deleted the old exception that required a declared housing emergency, voter referendum, and one-year limit. The 2023 Legislature (HB 1417) also preempted most local tenant-protection ordinances to state law. Rent increases for month-to-month tenancies require 15 days written notice under F.S. §83.57; fixed-term leases are governed by their written terms. Tenants retain habitability rights under F.S. §83.51, security deposit protections under F.S. §83.49, and federal Fair Housing Act anti-discrimination protections. Pasco currently has no local tenant notice-of-rent-increase ordinance.

Violations & Fines

Any attempted local rent cap: preempted and void under F.S. §166.043 and §166.0445. Improper notice of rent increase: tenant may refuse increase and continue at old rate until proper notice. Retaliatory rent increase after habitability complaint: prohibited under F.S. §83.64, tenant may recover damages.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Pasco County pass a rent cap during a crisis?
No. F.S. §166.043(2) flatly bars any Florida county or city from imposing rent controls, and the 2023 Live Local Act removed the old emergency-referendum path. Pasco cannot pass a rent cap even in a crisis.
How much notice must my landlord give before raising rent?
For month-to-month, 15 days written notice before the end of the rental period per F.S. §83.57. For fixed-term leases, the landlord cannot raise rent mid-term; they may propose a new rate at renewal.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Pasco County

All Pasco County rules

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