Washington law and Tacoma policy bar landlords from refusing tenants based on lawful source of income, including Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers, veterans benefits, and Social Security.
RCW 59.18.255 prohibits source-of-income discrimination by Washington landlords, defining lawful sources broadly to include subsidies, vouchers, retirement, disability, and other public benefits. Tacoma's Rental Housing program, TMC 1.95, reinforces these protections and provides a local complaint pathway. Landlords cannot refuse to consider an applicant solely because they would pay rent with a Section 8 voucher, and they must allow a reasonable additional period for housing authority paperwork. Standard income screening at typical multiples of rent must subtract the voucher portion before comparing.
Discriminatory refusals can lead to state Human Rights Commission complaints, RCW 59.18.255 civil penalties, and TMC 1.95 administrative action by the Tacoma Rental Housing program.
See how Tacoma's source-of-income discrimination rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.