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.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Tacoma, WA
Tacoma allows residential lawn ornaments and yard art without permits provided they do not exceed the 15-foot accessory-structure height limit in TMC 13.06 a...
Tacoma, WA
Tacoma does not regulate residential inflatable holiday decorations by size or type. The Noise Code (TMC 8.122) applies to continuously running blower motors...
Tacoma, WA
Tacoma has no ordinance restricting when residents may put up or take down holiday lights. The general Noise Ordinance at TMC 8.122 applies to any amplified ...
Tacoma, WA
Built-in outdoor kitchens in Tacoma require building permits from Planning and Development Services (PDS) when they include new electrical, plumbing, gas pip...
Tacoma, WA
Backyard wood and pellet smokers in Tacoma single-family yards are permitted but subject to Puget Sound Clean Air Agency (PSCAA) Regulation I, Section 9.11, ...
Tacoma, WA
Tacoma adopts the International Fire Code through TMC Title 3 (Fire Prevention) as Tacoma Fire Code. IFC Section 308.1.4 prohibits open-flame cooking devices...
See how Tacoma's source-of-income discrimination rules stack up against other locations.
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