Ala. Code § 11-80-8.1 § 11-80-8.1
Enactment of Ordinances, Resolutions, Etc., Controlling Rent Charged for Leasing Private Property Prohibited.
Operative Text
(a) As used in this section, “local governmental unit” means any political subdivision of this state including, but not limited to, a county, city, town, or municipality, if the political subdivision provides local government services in a geographically limited area of this state as its primary purpose and it has the power to act primarily on behalf of that area. (b) A local governmental unit shall not enact, maintain, or enforce an ordinance, resolution, or rule that would have the effect of controlling the amount of rent charged for leasing private property. This section does not impair the right of any local governmental unit to manage and control property in which the local governmental unit has a property interest.
Alabama Code § 11-80-8.1 prohibits counties, cities, towns, and other local governmental units in Alabama from passing or enforcing any ordinance, resolution, or rule that controls how much rent a private landlord may charge. The restriction applies only to private property; local governments retain full authority over property they own or have a direct interest in. This is a state-level preemption law, meaning no Alabama locality can create a local rent-control or rent-stabilization program for private housing.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Ala. Code § 11-80-8.1, no Alabama city or county has the legal authority to cap, limit, or otherwise regulate the rent a private property owner charges tenants. Compliant operators in Alabama generally set rents according to market conditions and the terms of their lease agreements, without concern that a local rent-control ordinance will override those terms. If a local government were to attempt to enforce such a rule, this statute would render that effort legally invalid.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Ala. Code § 11-80-8.1 means that, unlike in some other states, Alabama tenants do not have access to local rent-control or rent-stabilization protections for privately owned housing. Rent increases on private property are governed by the terms of the lease and general state contract and landlord-tenant law, not by any local rent board or ordinance. Tenants who have questions about their rights under Alabama landlord-tenant law may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider for general information.
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 16, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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