California Government Code §12955, expanded by SB-329 in 2020, prohibits housing discrimination based on lawful source of income, including Section 8 vouchers. Santa Clara County enforces statewide rules through state CRD; no separate county code exists.
California's Fair Employment and Housing Act, at Government Code §12955, makes it unlawful for a landlord anywhere in the state to refuse rental, advertise discriminatory preferences, or apply different terms based on a tenant's lawful source of income. SB-329 (2019, effective 2020) confirmed federal Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and other rental assistance qualify as protected income. SB-222 (2020) extended the same protection to veterans' housing benefits. Santa Clara County does not run its own fair-housing investigative agency; tenants in unincorporated areas file with the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) or pursue private suit. Landlords may apply credit, reference, and rental-history standards but only against the tenant's portion of rent.
Discriminatory ads or rental refusals expose landlords to CRD penalties of up to $25,000 for a first offense and tenant suits for actual damages, statutory damages, attorney fees, and punitive damages.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Sunnyvale, CA
Sunnyvale permits construction noise Monday through Friday from 7 AM to 6 PM and Saturday 8 AM to 5 PM. No construction on Sundays or major holidays without ...
Sunnyvale, CA
Sunnyvale was one of the earliest California cities to ban gas-powered leaf blowers, ahead of statewide AB 1346. Only electric or battery blowers are allowed...
Sunnyvale, CA
Aircraft noise from Moffett Federal Airfield, NASA Ames, and San Jose International is preempted by federal FAA rules. Sunnyvale cannot regulate overflight n...
Sunnyvale, CA
Street parking in Sunnyvale is governed by SMC Title 10 and California Vehicle Code. The 72-hour rule (CVC 22651(k)) applies, and posted permit zones restric...
Sunnyvale, CA
Sunnyvale driveway construction and use are governed by SMC Title 19 zoning and Title 16 encroachment rules. Blocking sidewalks or the public right-of-way is...
Sunnyvale, CA
RVs, trailers, and boats over 6 feet tall or 22 feet long are restricted on Sunnyvale streets under SMC Title 10. Short-term loading is allowed with limits; ...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Santa Clara County.
See how Sunnyvale's source-of-income discrimination rules stack up against other locations.
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