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Renting to Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) tenants in California

Short answer

In California you cannot refuse a tenant because they pay with a Housing Choice Voucher; vouchers are a protected source of income. The local housing authority pays part of the rent directly to you, inspects the home, and uses HUD Fair Market Rents to judge whether the rent is reasonable.

How it works for owners

  1. The tenant finds your home and applies like anyone else.
  2. The local housing authority inspects the home and checks the rent is reasonable for the area.
  3. You sign a lease with the tenant and a contract with the housing authority, which pays its share of the rent to you each month.

The law in California

Since 2020, source of income, including vouchers, is protected under California fair housing law. You can't advertise "no Section 8" or turn away a voucher holder for that reason.

Fair Market Rents

HUD's Fair Market Rents by bedroom size are on every city page under More local facts. Housing authorities use them to set payment standards.

Sources

Written by The Property Management Directory team. Last checked October 2026.