Dallas County, TX Rental Property Rules: Source-of-Income Discrimination (2026)
Key Facts
- State protection
- None. TX has no SOI law
- County protection
- None: county adopted nothing
- Dallas city protection
- Yes. Chapter 46, 2020
- Other county cities
- Generally no SOI protection
- Federal coverage
- Not under HUD Fair Housing
Summary
Texas has no statewide source of income protection, and Dallas County has not adopted a county-level rule covering its 25 cities. Only the City of Dallas, through 2020 Chapter 46 amendments, bars source of income discrimination; voucher holders elsewhere in the county lack local protection.
Sec. 250.007. REGULATION OF RENTAL OR LEASING OF HOUSING ACCOMMODATIONS. (a) Except as provided by this section, a municipality or county may not adopt or enforce an ordinance or regulation that prohibits an owner, lessee, sublessee, assignee, managing agent, or other person having the right to lease, sublease, or rent a housing accommodation from refusing to lease or rent the housing accommodation to a person because the person's lawful source of income to pay rent includes funding from a federal housing assistance program. (b) This section does not affect an ordinance or regulation that prohibits the refusal to lease or rent a housing accommodation to a military veteran because of the veteran's lawful source of income to pay rent.
Full Breakdown
Source of income discrimination, refusing applicants who pay rent with Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers, Veterans' assistance, Social Security, SSI, child support, or similar lawful sources, is not a protected class under Texas state law. Dallas County has not adopted a countywide source of income ordinance. The City of Dallas amended its Anti-Discrimination Ordinance Chapter 46 in 2020 to add source of income protection, but other Dallas County cities such as Irving, Garland, Mesquite, Richardson, Carrollton, and Grand Prairie generally have not. Voucher holders renting outside the City of Dallas may legally be turned away in many parts of Dallas County. Federal HUD fair housing rules apply but do not include source of income.
Violations & Fines
In unincorporated Dallas County and most suburbs, refusing voucher applicants is generally lawful absent a city ordinance. Within City of Dallas limits, refusing Section 8 vouchers violates Dallas Code Chapter 46 and triggers civil penalties through the Fair Housing Office.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a landlord in Dallas County refuse a Section 8 voucher?
Where do voucher holders find SOI protection in Dallas County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Dallas County
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