Westerville, OH Rental Property Rules: Rent Control (2026)
Rent control rules in Westerville, OH, also known as rent stabilization or rent cap ordinances, limit annual rent increases and protect tenants from displacement.
Key Facts
- Rent Control
- None (preempted)
- State Preemption
- ORC 5321.19 (2022)
- Notice
- 30 days month-to-month
- Deposit Interest
- 5 percent over 1 months rent
Summary
Westerville has no rent control. Ohio Revised Code 5321.19, enacted in 2022, preempts all Ohio cities from adopting rent stabilization, rent control, or rent freezes. Rents are set by the free market under the Ohio Landlord-Tenant Act (ORC 5321).
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 agreement that are regulated by this chapter, including, without limitation, by any way imposing or requiring rent control or rent stabilization.
(B) This chapter does not preempt any of the following:
(1) Housing, building, health, or safety code, or any ordinance as described in division (A)(9) of section 5321.04 of the Revised Code, of any political subdivision;
(2) Charter provision, ordinance, resolution, rule, or other measure of a political subdivision that regulates, or has the effect of regulating in any way, rent charged or paid for the use of residential premises that such political subdivision owns or operates;
(3) A political subdivision from adopting any charter provision, ordinance, resolution, rule, or other measure to implement a plan to use voluntary incentives or agreements that regulates, or has the effect of regulating in any way, rent charged or paid for the use of residential premises so long as such regulating is related to voluntary incentives or agreements to increase or maintain the supply or improve the quality of available residential premises, including, without limitation, incentives authorized by federal law, the incentives set forth in sections 3735.65 to 3735.70 of the Revised Code, tax abatements, tax credit financing, bond or other financing, or loans or grants from the political subdivision.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.
Full Breakdown
Under Ohio Revised Code 5321.19 (effective April 2022), no Ohio municipality or township may enact or enforce any ordinance controlling rent on private residential property. This preemption prevents Westerville and all Ohio cities from implementing rent caps, rent freezes, or anti-gouging price controls. Rent terms are governed entirely by the lease and the Ohio Landlord-Tenant Act (ORC Chapter 5321), which requires 30 days notice for month-to-month rent increases and no mid-lease increases unless the lease specifically allows. Security deposits over one months rent earn 5 percent interest under ORC 5321.16. Federally subsidized housing (HUD, Section 8) continues to have income-based rent regardless of state preemption.
Violations & Fines
Not applicable to municipal level. Landlord lease violations resolved through Franklin County Municipal Court under ORC 5321. Tenants may seek damages and attorney fees for landlord violations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Westerville cap rent increases?
How much notice for a rent increase?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Westerville
Compare Westerville to another location·View the Ohio rental property rules overview
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Rent Control in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Franklin County handle rent control.