The Santa Clara County Housing Authority (SCCHA) administers federal Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers across the county. Landlords accepting vouchers must pass an HQS inspection and cannot refuse applicants based on voucher status.
Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers are funded by HUD and operated locally by the Santa Clara County Housing Authority (SCCHA), which serves all 15 cities and unincorporated areas. Participating landlords sign a Housing Assistance Payments contract, accept a tenant rent share calculated on income (typically about 30 percent), and pass an annual Housing Quality Standards (HQS) inspection covering habitability, lead, electrical, and life-safety items. Refusal to rent to voucher holders violates Cal. Gov. Code §12955 as amended by SB-329. SCCHA also operates project-based vouchers, the Family Self-Sufficiency Program, and special-purpose vouchers for veterans (VASH), foster youth, and homeless households through the Continuum of Care.
Landlords who reject voucher holders or fail HQS inspections without remedy lose payments, face fair-housing complaints, and may incur civil penalties of up to $25,000 under FEHA Gov. Code §12955.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Palo Alto, CA
Palo Alto Airport (PAO) enforces a voluntary curfew and noise abatement procedures, with FAA preemption limiting local authority over flight operations.
Palo Alto, CA
Palo Alto prohibits amplified music audible beyond the property line during quiet hours and requires a special event permit for outdoor amplification in publ...
Palo Alto, CA
Palo Alto enforces strict decibel limits by zone under PAMC 9.10.040: 60 dBA day / 50 dBA night in residential, scaling up to 70 dBA in manufacturing zones.
Palo Alto, CA
Palo Alto permits construction Monday-Friday 8am to 6pm and Saturday 9am to 6pm, with no work allowed on Sundays or holidays under PAMC 9.10.060.
Palo Alto, CA
Palo Alto requires encroachment permits for new driveways, regulates curb cut dimensions, and prohibits blocking sidewalks or adjacent driveways under traffi...
Palo Alto, CA
Palo Alto restricts RV, trailer, and boat storage on public streets and requires screening for large recreational vehicles on residential property under zoni...
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See how Palo Alto's section 8 voucher acceptance rules stack up against other locations.
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