California prohibits Orange County landlords from refusing to rent to applicants because they use a Section 8 housing-choice voucher or other government rental subsidy. Source-of-income protection became statewide under SB 329 in 2020.
California Government Code 12955 (FEHA) was amended by SB 329 to define source of income to include federal, state, and local housing subsidies including Section 8, VASH, HOPWA, and similar programs. Landlords countywide in Orange County cannot refuse, condition, or terminate tenancies because the applicant pays partly with a voucher. They may still apply income-to-rent ratios but must calculate using only the tenant's portion. The Orange County Housing Authority (OCHA) administers vouchers across most of the county. Civil Rights Department (formerly DFEH) enforces violations. Landlord exemptions are narrow; owner-occupied rentals with limited unit counts qualify.
Posting no-Section-8 ads, refusing to accept voucher applications, applying double-income standards to voucher holders, or terminating because a tenant obtained a voucher can trigger CRD complaints and damages.
See how other cities in Orange County handle source-of-income discrimination.
See how Costa Mesa's source-of-income discrimination rules stack up against other locations.
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