Ohio Rev. Code § 5321 § 5321.20
State policy and legislative findings.
Operative Text
The general assembly finds and declares that maintenance of an adequate housing supply, including access to livable, clean, and well-maintained residential rental premises, in the state of Ohio is an urgent statewide priority and necessary to the well-being of Ohioans. In furtherance of that finding and declaration, the general assembly further finds and declares that rent control and rent stabilization measures may do any of the following: (A) Suppress rental and property values and thereby discourage maintenance, upkeep, and rehabilitation of existing residential premises and construction of new residential premises; (B) Incentivize landlords to convert residential premises to condominiums, cooperatives, and other types of housing, thereby removing such residential premises from availability on the rental market; (C) Lower property tax revenues for state and local governments and political subdivisions; (D) Lead to deterioration of residential premises; (E) Discourage turnover of residential premises and thus deprive potential tenants of the ability to rent such premises and result in misallocation of residential premises; (F) Impede the sale of residential premises; (G) Discourage investment in new and existing residential premises, especially during times of rising material costs and labor shortages; (H) Have an adverse effect, due to lack of adequate housing, on individuals who seek employment in areas with scarce available housing and on employers who seek employees in such areas; (I) Distort the functioning of the market for residential premises; (J) Impose substantial administrative and enforcement expenses on political subdivisions; (K) Retroactively deprive owners of residential premises of property rights. The general assembly therefore finds and declares that, for these reasons, attainment of an adequate housing supply is a matter of overriding statewide interest that requires a uniform approach to rent control and rent stabilization measures in residential premises throughout the state. The general assembly finds and declares that Chapter 5321. of the Revised Code is a statewide and comprehensive legislative enactment regulating all aspects of the landlord-tenant relationship with respect to residential premises. The general assembly further finds and declares that the imposition of rent control and rent stabilization on private residential premises by any political subdivision is a matter of statewide concern and would be inconsistent with the statewide, comprehensive legislative enactment in this chapter. Therefore, rent control and rent stabilization of private residential premises that are regulated by this chapter is a matter of general statewide concern that requires uniform statewide regulation. The general assembly reiterates, by the enactment of Chapter 5321. of the Revised Code, that it is the intent of the general assembly to preempt political subdivisions from regulating the rights and obligations of parties to a rental agreement that are regulated by this chapter, including through the imposition of rent control and rent stabilization in any manner.
Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.20 sets out the state legislature's formal policy findings on rent control and rent stabilization. The General Assembly declares that such measures can harm housing supply, property values, tax revenues, and tenant access to housing, and that these concerns justify a single, uniform statewide approach. As a result, the provision establishes that Ohio's landlord-tenant law under Chapter 5321 is intended to preempt any city, county, or other local government from imposing rent control or rent stabilization on private residential rental properties covered by the chapter.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.20, no Ohio city or local government is permitted to impose rent control or rent stabilization on private residential rental properties governed by Chapter 5321, because the state has declared this a matter of exclusive statewide concern. Compliant operators generally rely on this preemption framework when evaluating whether any locally enacted rent regulation applies to their properties. Landlords operating in Ohio municipalities that have attempted or discussed rent-related ordinances may find this provision relevant to understanding the legal landscape.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.20 reflects the state legislature's declared position that rent control and rent stabilization are preempted at the local level throughout Ohio, meaning tenants generally cannot look to city or county ordinances for rent increase protections on private residential rentals covered by Chapter 5321. Tenants who believe a landlord's practices may still implicate other rights under Chapter 5321 — such as habitability standards — can explore those protections separately under the same chapter. Tenant-rights organizations and legal aid offices familiar with Ohio landlord-tenant law can help clarify what protections remain available under the statewide framework.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 9, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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