Portland council advances ordinance banning algorithmic price‑setting for rents; adopts small‑landlord tier and clarifies “public data” definition

Portland City Council continued consideration of an ordinance to amend the city’s affordable‑housing code to prohibit anti‑competitive rental pricing, including use of algorithmic pricing tools, during a continuation session on April 3.

The council adopted an amendment from Councilor Murillo that creates a tiered damages structure intended to reduce financial exposure for small landlords, and later approved a separate amendment from Councilor Maria Novick that clarifies the ordinance’s definition of “public data.” The council did not take a final vote on the ordinance itself; the item will return for a second hearing and further public testimony on April 16.

Why it matters: The proposal responds to complaints from tenant advocates and research alleging some rent‑setting software can facilitate coordinated price increases across multiple properties. Supporters say a local ban would give renters a new enforcement pathway; opponents including landlord groups say the ordinance is duplicative of state and federal antitrust law and could chill investment.

Council consideration and two amendments

Council President opened the continuation of the agenda item and identified the item as “Agenda item 17, amend affordable housing code to add prohibition of anti competitive rental prices, including the sale and use of algorithmic devices.” Robert Taylor, the city attorney, told council members that handling an amendment before or after public testimony is at the council’s discretion and has been done both ways in the past: “The council in the past has handled amendments in a variety of different ways,” Taylor said.

Councilor Murillo offered an…