Tampa's Human Rights Ordinance under Code Ch. 12 §12-26 prohibits housing discrimination based on lawful source of income, including Section 8 vouchers, even though Florida state law itself does not list source of income as a protected class.
Tampa's Ch. 12 §12-26 expanded local civil rights protections beyond state and federal floors, making it unlawful for landlords to refuse rent payment from a Housing Choice Voucher or other lawful subsidy, including VASH veterans' vouchers and emergency rental assistance. The ordinance is enforced by the Tampa Office of Community Affairs and the Hillsborough County Equal Opportunity Office, which can investigate complaints and issue findings. Federal Fair Housing Act protections still apply for race, sex, disability, and familial status. Landlords may continue to apply uniform credit, criminal, and rental history standards but must accept voucher payments on equal terms.
Refusing to rent solely because the applicant uses Section 8 can produce administrative findings, civil penalties, and HUD referrals that affect a landlord's federal grant eligibility.
Tampa, FL
Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers are administered by the Tampa Housing Authority (THA), and Tampa Code Ch. 12 §12-26 forbids landlords from rejecting applic...
Tampa, FL
Tampa does not require mandatory rental property registration. Rental properties must comply with building codes and property maintenance standards. The city...
See how Tampa's source-of-income discrimination rules stack up against other locations.
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