Rent control exists in far fewer places than most renters assume — but where it does exist, it can make a significant difference in housing stability and affordability. This guide maps out where rent control and rent stabilization laws are active in 2025, explains how they differ from place to place, and helps you understand what to look for in your own city or state.
The term rent control gets used loosely, but it covers several distinct legal frameworks:
Most laws active in 2025 fall under the rent stabilization category. The practical effect is that landlords can still raise rent — but only by a regulated percentage, and only under specific conditions.
A critical starting point: most U.S. states have preemption laws that prohibit cities and counties from enacting rent control at all. That means even if a city wanted to pass a rent stabilization ordinance, state law blocks it.
States where local rent control is permitted (or where statewide rules apply):
| State | Status |
|---|---|
| California | Local ordinances allowed; statewide AB 1482 also applies |
| New York | Statewide rent stabilization system for qualifying units |
| New Jersey | Local ordinances in many municipalities |
| Maryland | Local ordinances permitted; Montgomery County is notable |
| Oregon | Statewide rent stabilization law in effect |
| Washington, D.C. | Robust rent stabilization program (District-level) |
| Maine | Limited local authority permitted |
| Minnesota | Minneapolis enacted ordinance (legal status has faced challenges) |
California has both a statewide law (AB 1482) and dozens of local ordinances that may offer stronger protections.
Cities with local rent control ordinances include:
AB 1482 (statewide) applies to many buildings not covered by local laws. It generally limits annual increases to a percentage tied to local inflation, with a defined cap — but excludes single-family homes, condos, and buildings built within the last 15 years.
New York has one of the most complex rent regulation systems in the country, operating through state law and administered largely in New York City.
New Jersey does not have a statewide rent control law, but allows municipalities to pass their own. Many have done so:
Oregon enacted the first statewide rent stabilization law in the U.S. in 2019. It limits annual rent increases to a percentage tied to inflation (with a defined ceiling) and applies to most units older than 15 years. New construction is exempt.
The District's Rent Stabilization Program covers most rental units in buildings with five or more units constructed before 1976. Exemptions include single-family rentals and units owned by small landlords (under a certain unit threshold). Allowable increases are tied to the Consumer Price Index.
Maryland permits local rent control. Montgomery County has an active rent stabilization program, and other jurisdictions have explored or enacted measures.
Regardless of city, most rent stabilization programs share a few structural features worth understanding:
Even in cities with strong rent control, many units are not covered. Common exemptions include:
This means two renters living on the same block — even in the same building — can have very different legal protections depending on when the building was constructed, how many units it has, and what their lease says.
There is no single national database. Here's where to look:
Whether your unit qualifies, what your specific increase limits are, and what remedies you have if your landlord violates the law all depend on your location, unit type, and lease terms — factors no general resource can evaluate for you.
