# Algorithmic Rent Pricing Laws in 2026: Which States and Cities Restrict It

> New Jersey's FAIR Act, Rockville's ban and a dozen-plus local ordinances restrict rent-setting software. A sourced overview of where rules stand. According to NAA, state-level laws exist in California, Connecticut, Colorado, New Jersey and New York.

- Section: News › Policy & Legal
- Tags: Multifamily
- Author: Uassist.ME Editorial Team
- Publisher: Published by Uassist.ME (https://uassistme.com)
- Published: 2026-10-17
- Last updated: 2026-10-18
- Canonical: https://leasingsignal.com/policy-legal/algorithmic-rent-pricing-laws-tracker-2026/

## Key takeaways

- NAA counts five states and eighteen localities with algorithmic pricing policies.
- New Jersey's FAIR Act makes paying a rent 'coordinator' an antitrust violation, effective July 1, 2027, and preempts conflicting local ordinances.
- Rockville becomes Maryland's first city to ban algorithmic rent pricing on January 1, 2027.
- San Francisco's law allows damages and counts each unit and month as a separate violation.

## Which states have algorithmic rent pricing laws?

According to NAA, state-level laws exist in California, Connecticut, Colorado, New Jersey and New York. New Jersey's FAIR Act (A3497) makes it unlawful under the state antitrust act for an owner to pay for a coordinator's services or for anyone to facilitate parallel pricing coordination. NAA reports it takes effect July 1, 2027, and the act bars conflicting municipal ordinances.

## Which cities have bans?

NAA's tracker lists ordinances including San Francisco, Berkeley, San Diego, Minneapolis (effective March 1, 2026), Hoboken, Seattle, West Hollywood (effective June 3, 2026), Evanston (effective July 2026) and Rockville, Maryland, whose ban takes effect January 1, 2027.

## What counts as a banned algorithmic device?

Rockville defines it as a product using algorithms that draws on nonpublic competitor data from two or more landlords and recommends rents, fees, terms or occupancy. San Francisco targets revenue management software calculating nonpublic competitor data, excluding aggregated market reports and government affordable-housing tools.

## What are the penalties?

San Francisco treats each month and each unit as a separate violation and allows damages claims. Evanston allows tenants to pursue legal action (NAA). New Jersey enforces through its antitrust act and Attorney General.

## Frequently asked questions

### Which states regulate algorithmic rent pricing?

According to NAA, state-level laws exist in California, Connecticut, Colorado, New Jersey and New York. New Jersey's FAIR Act (A3497) makes it unlawful under the state antitrust act for an owner to pay for a coordinator's services or for anyone to facilitate parallel pricing coordination.

### Which cities ban algorithmic rent-setting software?

NAA's tracker lists ordinances including San Francisco, Berkeley, San Diego, Minneapolis (effective March 1, 2026), Hoboken, Seattle, West Hollywood (effective June 3, 2026), Evanston (effective July 2026) and Rockville, Maryland, whose ban takes effect January 1, 2027.

### What counts as a banned algorithmic pricing device?

Rockville defines it as a product using algorithms that draws on nonpublic competitor data from two or more landlords and recommends rents, fees, terms or occupancy. San Francisco targets revenue management software calculating nonpublic competitor data, excluding aggregated market reports and government affordable-housing tools.

### What are the penalties for violating these laws?

San Francisco treats each month and each unit as a separate violation and allows damages claims. Evanston allows tenants to pursue legal action (NAA).

### Where do these figures come from?

Every figure is attributed in the text and linked in the numbered Sources list (4 sources, with publication dates where available). Vendor figures are labeled vendor-reported.

## Sources

1. [NAA: Tracking Revenue Management Legislation Updates](https://naahq.org/news/tracking-revenue-management-legislation-updates) (2026-08-26)
2. [New Jersey P.L. 2026, c.043 (FAIR Act)](https://pub.njleg.state.nj.us/Bills/2026/AL26/43_.HTM) (2026-07-20)
3. [City of Rockville: First Maryland city to ban algorithmic rent pricing](https://www.rockvillemd.gov/news/2026/08/31/rockville-becomes-first-maryland-city-to-ban-algorithmic-rent-pricing/) (2026-08-31)
4. [SF.gov: Sec. 37.10C Use and Sale of Algorithmic Devices Prohibited](https://www.sf.gov/information--sec-3710c-use-and-sale-algorithmic-devices-prohibited) (n.d.)