Source-of-Income Discrimination: Mountain View vs Santa Clara
How do source-of-income discrimination rules compare between Mountain View, CA and Santa Clara, CA?
Mountain View and Santa Clara have similar restriction levels.
Mountain View, CA
Santa Clara County
California Government Code §12955, expanded by SB-329 in 2020, prohibits housing discrimination based on lawful source of income, including Section 8 vouchers. Santa Clara County enforces statewide rules through state CRD; no separate county code exists.
View full Mountain View rules →Santa Clara, CA
Santa Clara County
California Government Code §12955, expanded by SB-329 in 2020, prohibits housing discrimination based on lawful source of income, including Section 8 vouchers. Santa Clara County enforces statewide rules through state CRD; no separate county code exists.
View full Santa Clara rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Mountain View | Santa Clara |
|---|---|---|
| State law | Cal. Gov. Code §12955 | Cal. Gov. Code §12955 |
| Voucher protection | SB-329 (effective 2020) | SB-329 (effective 2020) |
| Veteran benefits | Protected by SB-222 (2020) | Protected by SB-222 (2020) |
| Enforcer | California Civil Rights Department | California Civil Rights Department |
| Income test | Apply to tenant share only | Apply to tenant share only |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Mountain View FAQ
Can a Santa Clara landlord post "no Section 8" in an ad?
No. Government Code §12955 and SB-329 prohibit refusing rental or advertising preferences based on subsidy status. Such postings are direct evidence of discrimination and trigger immediate CRD investigation.
How is income screening allowed to work?
Landlords applying a multiple-of-rent income standard must measure against the tenant's share only, not full contract rent. Standard credit, criminal-history, and reference checks remain permitted within fair-housing limits.
Santa Clara FAQ
Can a Santa Clara landlord post "no Section 8" in an ad?
No. Government Code §12955 and SB-329 prohibit refusing rental or advertising preferences based on subsidy status. Such postings are direct evidence of discrimination and trigger immediate CRD investigation.
How is income screening allowed to work?
Landlords applying a multiple-of-rent income standard must measure against the tenant's share only, not full contract rent. Standard credit, criminal-history, and reference checks remain permitted within fair-housing limits.
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