Westchester County, NY Rental Property Rules: Source-of-Income Discrimination (2026)
Key Facts
- Protected category
- source of income
- Includes
- Section 8, SSI, alimony
- Enforced by
- Human Rights Commission
- Scope
- countywide, all cities/villages
Summary
The county's Fair Housing Law bars landlords, brokers and agents from refusing tenants because their income includes Section 8 vouchers, social security, alimony, or other public assistance.
Source of income shall include, but not be limited to, child support, alimony, foster care subsidies, income derived from social security, or any form of federal, state, or local public assistance or housing assistance, including but not limited to, a voucher under the Federal Housing Choice Voucher program (known colloquially as "Section 8"), or any other form of housing assistance payment or credit... and other forms of lawful income.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 47).
Full Breakdown
The Westchester County Fair Housing Law defines 'source of income' to expressly include Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8), social security, alimony, child support and other public or housing assistance, and lists source of income among the protected 'group identity' categories under § 700.20(H). Under § 700.21(A), landlords, brokers and agents may not refuse to rent, negotiate, or otherwise deny a housing accommodation to anyone because of that protected status, countywide: inside cities and villages alike.
Violations & Fines
Refusing an applicant, imposing different terms, or advertising a preference against Section 8 or other lawful income sources is an unlawful discriminatory real estate practice enforceable by the Human Rights Commission.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Westchester landlord refuse Section 8 tenants?
Does this apply inside Yonkers or White Plains?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Westchester County
New York rules heatmap·Compare Westchester County to another location·View the New York rental property rules overview
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