Winston-Salem, NC Rental Property Rules: Rent Control (2026)
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.
Key Facts
- State Law
- NCGS 42-14.1 preemption
- Effective
- Since 1987
- Scope
- All rental property
- Local Authority
- None
- Notice
- One rental period month-to-month
Summary
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.
(a) No county or city as defined by G.S. 160A-1 may enact, maintain, or enforce any ordinance or resolution which regulates the amount of rent to be charged for privately owned, single-family or multiple unit residential or commercial rental property. (b) No county or city as defined by G.S. 160A-1 may enact, maintain, or enforce any ordinance or resolution which prohibits an owner, lessee, sublessee, assignee, managing agent, or other person having the right to lease, sublease, or rent a housing accommodation from refusing to lease or rent the housing accommodation to a person because the person's lawful source of income to pay rent includes funding from a federal housing assistance program. (c) This section shall not be construed as prohibiting any county or city, or any authority created by a county or city for that purpose, from: (1) Regulating in any way property belonging to that city, county, or authority. (2) Entering into agreements with private persons which regulate the amount of rent charged for subsidized rental properties. (3) Enacting ordinances or resolutions restricting rent for properties assisted with Community Development Block Grant Funds. (4) Enacting ordinances or resolutions applicable to owners or operators that receive funding or financial incentives from the county or city.
Full Breakdown
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Winston-Salem pass a rent control law?
How much can my landlord raise my rent?
Sources & Official References
- [1]NCGS 42-14.1
Other rules in Winston-Salem
Compare Winston-Salem to another location·View the North Carolina rental property rules overview
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