Source-of-Income Discrimination: Phoenix vs Tempe
How do source-of-income discrimination rules compare between Phoenix, AZ and Tempe, AZ?
Phoenix and Tempe have similar restriction levels.
Phoenix, AZ
Maricopa County
Phoenix has not adopted a source-of-income antidiscrimination ordinance, so private landlords may legally refuse Section 8 vouchers, SSI, or housing-subsidy income; Arizona state law contains no SOI protection either.
View full Phoenix rules →Tempe, AZ
Maricopa County
Arizona has no statewide source-of-income protection, and Maricopa County has not enacted local protection. Landlords may legally refuse Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers, SSI, child support, or other lawful non-wage income as a tenant-screening criterion.
View full Tempe rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Phoenix | Tempe |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix ordinance | None exists | - |
| Arizona statute | No SOI protection | - |
| Federal status | Not protected under FHA | - |
| Disparate impact | Still actionable under FHA | - |
| County protection | - | None |
| State protection | - | None |
| Voucher refusal | - | Legal |
| Federal classes | - | Still protected |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Phoenix FAQ
Can a Phoenix landlord refuse my Section 8 voucher?
Yes. Arizona has no source-of-income statute and Phoenix has no ordinance otherwise. Some landlords voluntarily participate; check the City of Phoenix Housing Department's preferred-landlord list for options.
What if I think the rejection is racial or disability-based?
Federal Fair Housing Act and Arizona Fair Housing Act protections still apply. File with HUD or the Arizona Attorney General Civil Rights Division if voucher refusal is pretext for protected-class discrimination.
Tempe FAQ
Can a Maricopa landlord refuse my Section 8 voucher?
Yes. Neither Maricopa County nor Arizona law prohibits refusing vouchers. Landlords participate voluntarily and may decline based on income source alone.
Where do I report income-source discrimination?
There is no county forum. Only if discrimination overlaps a federal protected class (race, disability, family status) can you file with HUD or AZ Attorney General.
Compare other topics
See how Phoenix and Tempe compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool