Rent control rules in Winston-Salem, NC — also known as rent stabilization or rent cap ordinances — limit annual rent increases and protect tenants from displacement.
North Carolina preempts rent control through NCGS 42-14.1, prohibiting any city or county from enacting rent stabilization or rent control ordinances. Winston-Salem has no rent control and cannot legally adopt one. Landlords may set market rates freely.
Rent control and rent stabilization are preempted statewide in North Carolina by NCGS 42-14.1, which was enacted in 1987 and explicitly prohibits any city or county from enacting any ordinance, resolution, or rule which regulates the amount of rent to be charged for privately owned, single-family or multiple unit residential or commercial rental property. This statute prevents Winston-Salem and all other NC municipalities from adopting rent control, rent stabilization, vacancy control, or similar rent-limiting programs. Landlords may set and adjust rents based on market conditions with no local limitations. However, NC Landlord-Tenant law (NCGS Chapter 42) does require reasonable notice for rent increases in month-to-month tenancies (typically one rental period notice) and prohibits retaliatory rent increases following tenant complaints. Federal subsidy programs like Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and LIHTC properties have their own rent limits separate from rent control.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
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See how Winston-Salem's rent control rules stack up against other locations.
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