Alabama Rent Control Preemption Statewide

Under Ala. Code § 11-80-8.1, no county or municipal government in Alabama may enact, maintain, or enforce any ordinance, rule, or regulation that controls the amount of rent charged on privately owned residential or commercial real property. The statute, originally adopted in 2004, was crafted to prevent any locality from imposing rent caps, rent stabilization, or rent registration tied to price controls. The preemption applies uniformly across all 67 counties. Landlords and tenants negotiate rent freely under contract and Alabama's Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (Title 35, Chapter 9A).

Local rent control ordinances are void and unenforceable. Affected parties may seek declaratory judgment or injunctive relief in Alabama courts to invalidate any conflicting local rule.