Twain Harte, CA Rental Property Rules: Source-of-Income Discrimination (2026)
Key Facts
- Statute
- Government Code 12955
- Effective date
- January 2020
- Local administrator
- Tuolumne County HRA
- Income calculation
- Tenant portion only
Summary
California SB 329 makes refusing Section 8 housing vouchers source-of-income discrimination. Twain Harte landlords cannot reject HUD-VASH or Housing Choice voucher applicants solely because of voucher use.
12955. It shall be unlawful: (a) For the owner of any housing accommodation to discriminate against or harass any person because of the race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, ancestry, familial status, source of income, disability, veteran or military status, or genetic information of that person. (o) (1) In instances in which there is a government rent subsidy, to do either of the following: (A) Use a financial or income standard in assessing eligibility for the rental of housing that is not based on the portion of the rent to be paid by the tenant. (B) (i) Use a person's credit history as part of the application process for a rental accommodation without offering the applicant the option, at the applicant's discretion, of providing lawful, verifiable alternative evidence of the applicant's reasonable ability to pay the portion of the rent to be paid by the tenant, including, but not limited to, government benefit payments, pay records, and bank statements. (p) (1) For the purposes of this section, "source of income" means lawful, verifiable income paid directly to a tenant, or to a representative of a tenant, or paid to a housing owner or landlord on behalf of a tenant, including federal, state, or local public assistance, and federal, state, or local housing subsidies, including, but not limited to, federal housing assistance vouchers issued under Section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 1437f). "Source of income" includes a federal Department of Housing and Urban Development Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing voucher.
Full Breakdown
Government Code 12955 amended by SB 329 (2019) added housing-assistance vouchers to the Fair Employment and Housing Act's protected income definition. Twain Harte landlords participating in the rental market must accept voucher applicants, count voucher payments as income, and apply uniform screening criteria such as credit and rental history. Income-to-rent ratios must be calculated against the tenant-paid portion only. Tuolumne County HRA administers vouchers locally. Refusing to consider a voucher, advertising 'no Section 8,' or imposing voucher-only barriers violates state fair-housing law.
Violations & Fines
California Civil Rights Department can investigate, order back rent and damages, impose civil penalties, and award tenant attorney fees for source-of-income discrimination.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Twain Harte landlord say no Section 8?
How are income ratios calculated for voucher tenants?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Twain Harte
California rules heatmap·Compare Twain Harte to another location·View the California rental property rules overview
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