Sacramento, CA Rental Property Rules: Section 8 Voucher Acceptance (2026)
Key Facts
- Administering agency
- SHRA
- Tenant portion
- About 30% income
- Inspection standard
- HUD HQS
- Recertification
- Annually
- Side payments
- Prohibited
Summary
The Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency administers Housing Choice Vouchers locally, performing initial unit inspections, approving rent reasonableness, and executing HAP contracts before move-in for participating landlords.
It shall be unlawful: (a) For the owner of any housing accommodation to discriminate against or harass any person because of the race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, ancestry, familial status, source of income, disability, veteran or military status, or genetic information of that person. (b) For the owner of any housing accommodation to make or to cause to be made any written or oral inquiry concerning the race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, ancestry, familial status, disability, veteran or military status, or genetic information of any person seeking to purchase, r
Full Breakdown
SHRA, which serves both the City and County of Sacramento, runs the Housing Choice Voucher program. After a tenant selects a unit, the landlord submits a Request for Tenancy Approval (RFTA), and SHRA schedules a Housing Quality Standards (HQS) inspection, conducts a rent-reasonableness comparison against similar unassisted units, and executes a Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) contract. Subsidies cover the gap between the tenant's portion (typically 30% of adjusted income) and the contract rent. Annual recertifications and biennial inspections continue throughout the tenancy. Landlords may not refuse vouchers under state source-of-income protections.
Violations & Fines
Side payments above the HAP-contract rent, failing HQS inspections without timely repair, or evicting solely to exit the program can result in HAP termination and SHRA enforcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who pays the rent each month?
Can I charge market rent?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sacramento
California rules heatmap·Compare Sacramento to another location·View the California rental property rules overview
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