Ohio Statewide Rule

Ohio Bans Local Rent Control (Statewide Preemption)

Few RestrictionsApplies statewide across Ohio (2026)

Key Facts

Local rent control: Banned (state-preempted)
Statewide rent cap: None
Preemption statute: Ohio Rev. Code 5321.19 (H.B. 430, eff. Sept. 23, 2022)
Cities with rent control: None

Last verified: August 20, 2026Source: Ohio Laws & Administrative Rules

Summary

Ohio preempts local rent control. Effective September 23, 2022, Ohio Rev. Code 5321.19 (added by H.B. 430) bars counties, townships, and municipalities from imposing rent control or rent stabilization on residential property they do not own. No Ohio city has rent control and there is no statewide rent cap.

(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;

Source: Ohio Laws & Administrative RulesView official code

Full Breakdown

Ohio Rev. Code 5321.19, enacted by H.B. 430 and effective September 23, 2022, prohibits any political subdivision - a county, township, municipal corporation, or similar local body - from imposing or requiring rent control or rent stabilization on residential premises. The General Assembly declared that an adequate housing supply is "a matter of overriding statewide interest" requiring a uniform approach. The ban does not apply to residential property the political subdivision itself owns, nor to voluntary incentive programs such as tax abatements, tax-credit financing, bonds, or grants used to increase or improve housing supply. Ohio imposes no statewide cap on rent or rent increases, so for private rentals the rent and any increase are governed by the lease.

Violations & Penalties

Any local rent-control or rent-stabilization ordinance is preempted by Ohio Rev. Code 5321.19 and is void and unenforceable against landlords. With no statewide rent cap, a landlord setting or raising rent on a private rental faces no rent-control penalty.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is rent control legal in Ohio?

No. Ohio has no rent control. Since September 23, 2022, Ohio Rev. Code 5321.19 has preempted local governments from imposing rent control or rent stabilization on residential property, and there is no statewide rent cap.

Can a city in Ohio pass its own rent control?

No. Under Ohio Rev. Code 5321.19, counties, townships, and municipal corporations may not adopt or enforce rent control or rent stabilization on residential premises they do not own. Limited exceptions exist for government-owned property and voluntary housing-incentive programs.

Is there a limit on how much rent can increase in Ohio?

No. Ohio sets no statewide limit on the amount or frequency of rent increases for private rentals. The increase is governed by the lease and applicable notice rules; a landlord may not raise rent mid-lease unless the lease permits it.

Sources

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