Long Beach vs Los Angeles
How do source-of-income discrimination rules compare between Long Beach, CA and Los Angeles, CA?
Long Beach and Los Angeles have similar restriction levels.
Long Beach, CA
Los Angeles County
California Government Code section 12955 prohibits Long Beach landlords from refusing to rent based on lawful source of income including Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers, treating voucher payments as part of the tenant's income for screening purposes.
View full Long Beach rules →Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles County
California Government Code §12955 and Los Angeles housing law prohibit landlords from refusing tenants because their rent comes from a Section 8 voucher, SSI, veterans benefits, or other lawful source. The Civil Rights Department and LAHD enforce.
View full Los Angeles rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Long Beach | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Code | Cal. Gov. Code 12955 | - |
| Effective | January 1, 2020 | - |
| Covered | Section 8 vouchers | - |
| Enforcer | CA Civil Rights Department | - |
| State law | - | Cal. Gov. Code §12955(a),(o) |
| Local code | - | LAMC §49.97 |
| Enforced by | - | CRD and LAHD |
| Effective statewide | - | January 1, 2020 (SB-329) |
| Income test | - | Tenant share only |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Long Beach FAQ
Can a landlord still screen voucher tenants?
Yes, on credit, references, and rental history, but income tests must include the voucher amount and screening rules cannot be designed to exclude voucher holders categorically.
Where do I report no-voucher ads?
File with the California Civil Rights Department, which enforces Government Code 12955 statewide and can investigate Long Beach listings that refuse Section 8 applicants.
Los Angeles FAQ
Can a landlord still require 2.5x or 3x income?
Yes, but only against the tenant's actual share of rent after the voucher subsidy. Applying the multiplier to total contract rent is treated as a proxy for source-of-income discrimination.
Where do I file a complaint?
File with the California Civil Rights Department within one year, or with LAHD for the Los Angeles local claim. Both routes can run in parallel and reach private damages and civil penalties.
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