Which US states have rent control?

Among the largest rental markets, California (statewide via AB 1482, plus stronger local ordinances), New York (rent stabilization in NYC and ETPA municipalities), and — as of 2025 — Washington (a statewide cap under HB 1217) have rent control. Texas, Florida, Georgia, and Illinois not only lack it — state law bars their cities from enacting it. Pennsylvania has neither a cap nor local rent control in practice.

How much can a landlord raise rent in California?

Under AB 1482, most covered units are capped at 5% plus the local CPI, with a hard maximum of 10% per year. Stricter local rent control (Los Angeles, San Francisco, Oakland, and others) can set a lower cap. Units under 15 years old and most single-family homes are exempt.

Is there a cap on rent increases in Texas, Florida, or Illinois?

No. These states have no rent-control cap, and each preempts its cities from enacting one. Your only protections are the amount and notice set in your lease, the ban on mid-term increases during a fixed term, and the required notice for a new term.

What does 'preempted' mean for rent control?

Preemption means the state has passed a law forbidding local governments from creating rent control. So even if a city council wanted to cap rents, it legally cannot — as in Texas, Florida, and Illinois.

Which US states have rent control?

Among the largest rental markets, California (statewide via AB 1482, plus stronger local ordinances), New York (rent stabilization in NYC and ETPA municipalities), and — as of 2025 — Washington (a statewide cap under HB 1217) have rent control. Texas, Florida, Georgia, and Illinois not only lack it — state law bars their cities from enacting it. Pennsylvania has neither a cap nor local rent control in practice.

How much can a landlord raise rent in California?

Under AB 1482, most covered units are capped at 5% plus the local CPI, with a hard maximum of 10% per year. Stricter local rent control (Los Angeles, San Francisco, Oakland, and others) can set a lower cap. Units under 15 years old and most single-family homes are exempt.

Is there a cap on rent increases in Texas, Florida, or Illinois?

No. These states have no rent-control cap, and each preempts its cities from enacting one. Your only protections are the amount and notice set in your lease, the ban on mid-term increases during a fixed term, and the required notice for a new term.

What does 'preempted' mean for rent control?

Preemption means the state has passed a law forbidding local governments from creating rent control. So even if a city council wanted to cap rents, it legally cannot — as in Texas, Florida, and Illinois.

Rent Control by State

Does your state cap rent increases? A few do — most don't, and several actually ban their own cities from trying. Here are California, New York, Texas, Florida, and Illinois in one table, with the law for each.

By the LeasePlain Editorial Team · Checked against state rent-regulation law per our editorial standards·Last reviewed October 2026

State	Rent control	Annual cap
California	Yes (statewide + local)	5% + local CPI, max 10%
New York	Yes (NYC + ETPA areas)	Set yearly by the Rent Guidelines Board
Texas	No — preempted	No limit
Florida	No — preempted	No limit
Illinois	No — preempted	No limit
Washington	Yes (statewide, 2025)	7% + CPI, max 10% (9.683% for 2026)
Georgia	No — preempted	No limit
Pennsylvania	No	No limit

Notes by state

California: AB 1482 caps most increases statewide; cities like LA, SF, and Oakland have stricter local rent control. Buildings under 15 years old and most single-family homes are exempt. (AB 1482 (Civ. Code § 1947.12))
New York: Rent stabilization covers ~1 million NYC units plus ETPA municipalities; the Rent Guidelines Board sets the annual increase. Market-rate units outside the system have no cap. (Rent Stabilization Law; HSTPA 2019)
Texas: State law bars cities from enacting rent control except in a declared housing emergency with state approval. Increases are governed by the lease and notice terms. (Tex. Loc. Gov't Code § 214.902)
Florida: Florida has no rent control, and a 2023 state law blocks local governments from adopting it. Only the lease and notice rules limit increases. (Fla. Stat. § 125.0103 (2023 preemption))
Illinois: No statewide rent control, and cities are barred from enacting it. (Repeal has been proposed repeatedly but has not passed.) (Rent Control Preemption Act, 50 ILCS 825)
Washington: Washington's new statewide cap limits most increases to the lesser of 7% + CPI or 10%, bars any increase in the first 12 months, and caps manufactured-home lots at 5%. 90-day notice required. (HB 1217 (2025))
Georgia: No rent control, and state law bars cities and counties from enacting it. (O.C.G.A. § 44-7-19)
Pennsylvania: No statewide rent control, and no Pennsylvania city has it in practice. The lease and notice rules govern increases. (No statewide statute)

The big picture

Rent control in the US is rare and shrinking. California and New York are the big exceptions; Texas, Florida, and Illinois have no cap and explicitly preempttheir cities from creating one. Where there's no cap, your protection is the lease itself, the ban on raising rent mid-term, and the notice required before a new term.

Last reviewed: October 2026. Rent laws change — confirm the current figure with the cited law or your state housing agency before relying on it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related state comparisons

General information, not legal advice. Rent rules vary by state, city, unit type, and lease. Confirm with the cited law or your state housing agency.