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Suffolk County, NY Rental Property Rules: Section 8 Voucher Acceptance (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Protected class
Lawful source of income, incl. vouchers
Max civil fine
$50,000; $100,000 if willful
Punitive damages cap
$10,000 in housing cases
Enforcement agency
Suffolk County Human Rights Commission
Applies to
Landlords, sellers, brokers, lenders

Summary

Suffolk County's Human Rights Law bars landlords, sellers and lenders from refusing housing or setting worse terms because a tenant's rent is paid through a housing voucher or other lawful source of income.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Suffolk County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

It shall be an unlawful discriminatory practice: (1) To refuse to sell, rent, lease or otherwise deny to or withhold from any individual or group of individuals any housing accommodation... because of the group identity, veteran status, status as a victim of domestic violence or lawful source of income of such individual or individuals...

Source: Suffolk County Department of Social ServicesView official code

Full Breakdown

Suffolk County Code § 528-9 makes it unlawful to refuse to sell, rent or lease housing, or to set different terms, because of a tenant's 'lawful source of income.' Section 528-6 defines that term to include federal, state or local public assistance or housing assistance, 'including the Housing Choice Voucher Program.' The rule covers every landlord, seller, broker and lender countywide: it has nothing to do with zoning, which the county doesn't handle; the ten towns and villages zone their own land. Complaints go to the Suffolk County Human Rights Commission.

Violations & Fines

The Suffolk County Human Rights Commission can order compensatory damages and impose civil fines up to $50,000 per violation: up to $100,000 if willful, wanton or malicious, plus up to $10,000 punitive damages.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a Suffolk County landlord refuse a Section 8 voucher?
No. County Code § 528-9 makes it illegal to refuse to rent, or offer worse terms, because a tenant's rent is paid through a Housing Choice Voucher or other lawful source of income.
Does this rule apply in every Suffolk County town and village?
Yes, the Human Rights Law is countywide. It doesn't override each town's separate zoning code, which still controls where housing may be built.
Who investigates a source-of-income complaint?
The Suffolk County Human Rights Commission investigates and can order damages, corrective action and civil fines up to $50,000 per violation ($100,000 if willful).

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Suffolk County

Source-of-Income DiscriminationSignificant RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Decibel LimitsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Towing & Impound RightsSignificant RestrictionsParking Rules: Snow Removal Parking RulesSome RestrictionsLandscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage TreesFew RestrictionsSingle-Use Items: Plastic CupsSignificant RestrictionsPublic Health Rules: Calorie LabelingSome Restrictions

All Suffolk County rules

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