Houston has not adopted a source-of-income antidiscrimination ordinance, so private landlords may legally refuse Section 8 vouchers, SSI, or housing-subsidy income; Texas state law preempts most local SOI protections.
Unlike Dallas (which adopted SOI protection in 2020 only to see it preempted by Texas in 2015's HB 1510), Houston has never adopted a source-of-income ordinance. Texas Local Government Code Section 250.007 prohibits cities from requiring landlords to accept Housing Choice Vouchers. Federal fair housing law also doesn't classify source of income as protected. Practical result: Houston landlords routinely advertise "no Section 8," reject voucher holders, and screen out applicants whose income is wages-only. The only SOI exceptions in Houston are landlords contractually bound to accept vouchers (LIHTC, RAD, HOME-funded properties) or those who voluntarily participate.
There is no Houston SOI ordinance to violate. Voucher rejections become discriminatory only when used as pretext for race, disability, familial status, or national origin discrimination, which remain federally protected under the Fair Housing Act.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Houston, TX
Smoke alarms in Houston dwellings are governed by Tex. Health & Safety Code Chapter 766 and the Houston Fire Code, which adopts the International Fire Code (...
Houston, TX
Houston has no city ordinance restricting lawn ornaments, statuary, or year-round decorations on residential property. With no zoning and limited aesthetic c...
Houston, TX
Houston has no city ordinance regulating residential inflatable holiday displays. Inflatable size, location, lighting, and motor noise are governed by subdiv...
Houston, TX
Houston has no municipal ordinance regulating holiday light displays. With no zoning and limited aesthetic regulation, holiday lighting is governed by deed r...
Houston, TX
Houston requires building permits for built-in outdoor kitchens that include gas lines, plumbing, electrical wiring, or structural roofs. Standalone freestan...
Houston, TX
Houston has no specific ordinance prohibiting residential smokers, pellet grills, or wood-fired ovens. Smoke nuisance complaints may be addressed under Chapt...
See how Houston's source-of-income discrimination rules stack up against other locations.
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