Just cause: Required after 12 months of tenancy. Relocation assistance required for no-fault evictions.
Local resources: Oregon City Housing Authority, Oregon Law Center, Community Alliance of Tenants
1. Overview of Rent Stabilization in Oregon City
As a Portland metro city, Oregon City is part of a region where Oregon's rent stabilization law provides essential protections for renters. a region where Oregon's rent stabilization law provides essential protections for renters. a region where Oregon's rent stabilization law provides essential protections for renters. a region where Oregon's rent stabilization law provides essential protections for renters.
Oregon's Statewide Rent Stabilization Law (SB 608), effective since February 2019, provides:
Just cause eviction protections – Landlords must have valid reasons to evict tenants after 12 months
Relocation assistance – Required for certain no-fault evictions
This article provides an overview of how Oregon's rent stabilization law applies in Oregon City. It is not legal advice. For specific questions, consult with a qualified attorney or tenant counseling organization.
2. Who Is Covered in Oregon City?
Oregon's SB 608 covers most rental housing in Oregon City, with one key exemption:
Age requirement: The rent cap applies only to properties built more than 15 years ago. In 2026, this means buildings constructed before approximately 2011 are covered. Buildings built in 2011 or later are exempt from the rent cap.
No unit-count minimum: Unlike many states, Oregon's law covers single-family homes, duplexes, and smaller buildings — not just multi-unit apartment buildings.
Subsidized housing: Federally subsidized housing (with its own rent rules) is generally not subject to the cap.
Just cause eviction protections apply to all Oregon tenants after 12 months of tenancy — regardless of whether their unit is exempt from the rent cap. This means even tenants in newly built buildings cannot be evicted without a valid reason after living there for a year.
3. Maximum Allowable Rent Increases
Oregon's SB 608 limits rent increases in Oregon City to 7% per year, plus the percentage change in CPI (inflation). However, the total increase cannot exceed 10% in any given year, regardless of inflation rates.
2026 Rent Increase Caps:
Most residential properties:7% + CPI, capped at 10% maximum
Manufactured/floating-home facilities with more than 30 spaces:6% maximum for 2026 under HB 3054; facilities with 30 or fewer spaces follow the standard cap (9.5% for 2026)
Important Rules:
Only one rent increase per 12-month period is allowed
Landlords must provide at least 90 days written notice before any increase
The cap applies to tenants who have lived in the unit for at least 12 months
First-year tenants may see increases above the cap (but still need 90-day notice)
Example: If West Region CPI increased by 2.5%, the maximum rent increase would be 7% + 2.5% = 9.5% for most properties.
4. Just Cause Eviction Protections
After living in your Oregon City rental for 12 months, your landlord can only end your tenancy for one of the legally specified "just cause" reasons under ORS 90.427. These fall into two categories:
Tenant-Fault Causes (landlord does not owe relocation)
Non-payment of rent
Material violation of the rental agreement (after written notice to cure)
Committing or permitting a nuisance, waste, or illegal activity on the property
Refusing a landlord's entry after proper notice
No-Fault Causes (landlord must pay one month's rent in relocation assistance, unless the landlord owns four or fewer dwelling units)
Landlord moving a family member into the unit
Landlord selling the unit to a buyer who will occupy it
Landlord demolishing, substantially renovating, or converting the unit to a non-residential use
Government order requiring the unit to be vacated
For no-fault terminations, your landlord must give you 90 days' written notice (30 days for month-to-month tenant-fault issues) and pay one month's rent in relocation assistance at the time the notice is delivered. Landlords who own four or fewer residential dwelling units are exempt from the relocation-assistance requirement.
5. Resources for Oregon City Tenants
If you're a tenant in Oregon City and have questions about your rights, consider these resources:
You can also use RentCheckMe to check if your building is likely covered based on construction year and property type.
6. Important Disclaimer
This article is a high-level overview of Oregon's Rent Stabilization Law (SB 608) as it applies in Oregon City. It does not cover every exception and does not constitute legal advice.
What is the maximum rent increase allowed in Oregon City?
Under Oregon law (SB 608), landlords in Oregon City can increase rent by a maximum of 7% plus the Consumer Price Index (CPI), with an absolute cap of 10% per year. For manufactured home parks, the cap is 3% + CPI (max 7%). These limits apply after you have lived in the unit for 12 months.
Can my landlord evict me without a reason in Oregon City?
No. After you have lived in your rental for 12 months, Oregon law requires landlords to have a valid "just cause" reason to evict you. This includes at-fault reasons (like non-payment of rent) and no-fault reasons (like owner move-in). For no-fault evictions, landlords must provide relocation assistance equal to one month's rent.
Are all rental properties in Oregon City covered by rent stabilization?
Most rental properties in Oregon City are covered, but there are exemptions. Properties built within the last 15 years are exempt from rent caps. Single-family homes may be exempt if the landlord is an individual who owns 4 or fewer such properties and provides proper notice. Subsidized housing with existing rent restrictions may also be exempt.
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