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Twain Harte, CA Rental Property Rules: Source-of-Income Discrimination (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 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.

Source: California Government CodeView official code

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?
No. SB 329 makes voucher rejection an illegal discriminatory act, and 'no Section 8' advertising is itself a violation of state fair-housing law.
How are income ratios calculated for voucher tenants?
Only against the tenant's portion of rent, not the full rent. Common 3x-rent rules cannot be applied to the voucher-subsidized share.

Sources & Official References

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