State and local law
A state, city or county may protect voucher use. Building coverage and exceptions vary.
Check the locationHousing rights · United States
Your rights as
a voucher holder.
Find the rules where the apartment is, the office that can help and what to keep if you’re turned away.
Updated Sources and review dates
General housing information. An agency or qualified legal aid provider can help with your specific circumstances.
Start with the apartment’s location
The answer depends on the property, program and local law.
Find the coverage notes, filing information and sources for your state.
Browse all 50 states and DCBefore you compare states
More than one rule can apply.
“Source of income” means where your rent money comes from. Voucher protections can come from several places.
The property’s funding
Certain HOME-assisted and tax-credit properties have voucher obligations even without a statewide rule.
Check program requirementsOther fair housing rights
Discrimination involving race, disability, children in the household or other protected characteristics raises separate questions.
Understand federal protectionsIf you were turned away
What to do after a refusal.
A listing, message or dated note can help an agency understand what happened. You do not have to decide the legal issue yourself before asking for help.
Find a legal aid provider- 01
Save the listing and the conversation
Keep the address, listing URL, screenshots, emails, texts and voicemails. Write down dates, names and what was said.
- 02
Check the apartment’s location and program
Use the state entry below, then confirm any city, county or property-specific rule. Ask for the application decision in writing.
- 03
Contact the appropriate agency promptly
Ask what must be submitted to file on time. An inquiry, tip or unfinished intake form may not count as a filed complaint.
- 04
Report problems on VoucherMatch too
Use the listing’s report option or contact support. Keep any agency or court filing separate.
Filing deadlines differ. The time limit depends on the law and where you file. Reporting to VoucherMatch does not pause it. Ask the agency or legal aid about the correct deadline and filing steps.
50 states + Washington, DC
Find your state’s voucher rules.
Open an entry for coverage notes, filing information and sources. The localities listed are examples from the research, not a complete municipal directory.
51 of 51 state and DC entries
AL
Alabama
No statewide voucher law foundOur references do not identify a statewide voucher-specific law in Alabama.
The cited national research does not identify a statewide voucher-specific protection here. That does not establish that a particular refusal is lawful: federal fair housing rules, local measures or the property’s funding conditions may still apply. Check the property and locality with a fair housing agency or legal aid.
- Filing time limit
- No voucher-specific filing deadline is confirmed in this entry. Contact the appropriate agency or legal aid promptly.
Some coverage or enforcement details need confirmation. Use the linked agency or legal aid before relying on this summary.
AK
Alaska
No statewide voucher law foundOur references do not identify a statewide voucher-specific law in Alaska.
The cited national research does not identify a statewide voucher-specific protection here. That does not establish that a particular refusal is lawful: federal fair housing rules, local measures or the property’s funding conditions may still apply. Check the property and locality with a fair housing agency or legal aid.
- Filing time limit
- No voucher-specific filing deadline is confirmed in this entry. Contact the appropriate agency or legal aid promptly.
Some coverage or enforcement details need confirmation. Use the linked agency or legal aid before relying on this summary.
AZ
Arizona
Local or limited protectionArizona has no statewide rule that reliably covers vouchers. Some cities and counties have their own.
No statewide law. Phoenix, Tempe and Tucson ordinances list Section 8 vouchers as a protected source of income; file with the city's fair housing/equal opportunity office.
- Localities listed in our research
- Phoenix · Tempe · Tucson. Check the local rule and whether it covers this property.
- Filing time limit
- No voucher-specific filing deadline is confirmed in this entry. Contact the appropriate agency or legal aid promptly.
Some coverage or enforcement details need confirmation. Use the linked agency or legal aid before relying on this summary.
References · Oct 3, 2026
Link to this stateAR
Arkansas
No statewide voucher law foundOur references do not identify a statewide voucher-specific law in Arkansas.
The cited national research does not identify a statewide voucher-specific protection here. That does not establish that a particular refusal is lawful: federal fair housing rules, local measures or the property’s funding conditions may still apply. Check the property and locality with a fair housing agency or legal aid.
- Filing time limit
- No voucher-specific filing deadline is confirmed in this entry. Contact the appropriate agency or legal aid promptly.
Some coverage or enforcement details need confirmation. Use the linked agency or legal aid before relying on this summary.
CA
California
State law · exceptions applyCalifornia has statewide voucher protections. Coverage and exceptions matter.
State law explicitly covers Section 8 and VASH vouchers; a landlord may apply an income standard only to the tenant's share of rent. File a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department.
- Law or reference
- Fair Employment and Housing Act, Cal. Gov. Code §§ 12955, 12927(i) (SB 329, Stats. 2019 ch. 600) · Effective January 1, 2020
- Coverage and exceptions
- An owner who lives in the home and rents to only one other person is exempt, but still may not publish discriminatory ads.
- Localities listed in our research
- Alameda · Berkeley · Corte Madera · East Palo Alto · Fairfax · Los Angeles · Los Angeles County (unincorporated) · Marin County · Mill Valley · Milpitas · Novato · San Anselmo · San Diego · San Francisco · San Jose · San Rafael · Santa Clara County (unincorporated) · Santa Monica · Woodland. Check the local rule and whether it covers this property.
- Filing time limit
- 1 year from the discriminatory act (CRD); 2 years for a civil action
CO
Colorado
State law · exceptions applyColorado has statewide voucher protections. Coverage and exceptions matter.
State law covers state and federal housing vouchers for landlords above the small-landlord thresholds. File a charge with the Colorado Civil Rights Division.
- Law or reference
- Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act, C.R.S. §§ 24-34-501(4.5), 24-34-502 (HB20-1332) · Effective January 1, 2021
- Coverage and exceptions
- Does not apply to landlords with three or fewer rental units; a landlord with five or fewer single-family rentals and no more than five total units need not accept Housing Choice Vouchers.
- Localities listed in our research
- Boulder · Denver. Check the local rule and whether it covers this property.
- Filing time limit
- 1 year after the alleged discriminatory housing practice (CCRD).
Some coverage or enforcement details need confirmation. Use the linked agency or legal aid before relying on this summary.
References · Oct 3, 2026
Filing deadline checked Oct 14, 2026.
- 1. PRRAC state and local law survey
- 2. colorado.public.law
- 3. dora.colorado.gov
- 4. Colorado housing rights poster
CT
Connecticut
State law · exceptions applyConnecticut has statewide voucher protections. Coverage and exceptions matter.
Lawful source of income includes housing assistance such as Housing Choice Vouchers and state RAP. File with CHRO's Housing Discrimination Unit, (860) 541-3403.
- Law or reference
- Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 46a-63, 46a-64c (lawful source of income) · Effective 1989
- Filing time limit
- 300 days to file a formal complaint with CHRO. Contact the Housing Discrimination Unit promptly because preparing and signing the complaint takes time.
Some coverage or enforcement details need confirmation. Use the linked agency or legal aid before relying on this summary.
DE
Delaware
State law · exceptions applyDelaware has statewide voucher protections. Coverage and exceptions matter.
Since January 1, 2026 landlords may not refuse applicants because they use a voucher; the provision expires December 31, 2028 unless extended. File with the Division of Human and Civil Rights.
- Law or reference
- Delaware Fair Housing Act, 6 Del. C. §§ 4602, 4607; 25 Del. C. § 5116 (SS 1 for SB 293, 2024) · Effective January 1, 2026 (voucher protection; scheduled to sunset December 31, 2028)
- Coverage and exceptions
- A landlord may deny an application if the housing authority fails to follow the standardized Request for Tenancy Approval process; sufficiency-of-income and credit checks are allowed if applied without regard to source.
- Localities listed in our research
- Wilmington. Check the local rule and whether it covers this property.
- Filing time limit
- 1 year from the act or its discovery; 2 years for a civil action
DC
District of Columbia
State law · exceptions applyDistrict of Columbia has statewide voucher protections. Coverage and exceptions matter.
Section 8 assistance is expressly a protected source of income, and charging voucher holders extra fees is presumed discriminatory. File with the DC Office of Human Rights.
- Law or reference
- D.C. Human Rights Act, D.C. Code §§ 2-1401.02, 2-1402.21(e); D.C. Code § 42-2851.06(c) · Effective 2005
- Coverage and exceptions
- General Human Rights Act exemptions for small owner-occupied buildings (up to two families living independently) apply; none specific to source of income.
- Filing time limit
- 1 year from the occurrence or discovery of the act
FL
Florida
State limits local lawsFlorida limits local voucher-protection laws. Check the property’s program requirements too.
No statewide protection. A 2023 state law preempts local landlord-tenant rules, and PRRAC lists the ordinances in Alachua, Broward, Hillsborough, Miami-Dade, Orange and Pinellas counties and Daytona Beach, Gainesville, St. Petersburg and Tampa as preempted.
- Law or reference
- Fla. Stat. § 83.425 (CS/HB 1417, 2023) preempts local regulation of residential tenancies, including tenant screening · Effective July 1, 2023 (preemption)
- Filing time limit
- No voucher-specific filing deadline is confirmed in this entry. Contact the appropriate agency or legal aid promptly.
Some coverage or enforcement details need confirmation. Use the linked agency or legal aid before relying on this summary.
GA
Georgia
Local or limited protectionGeorgia has no statewide rule that reliably covers vouchers. Some cities and counties have their own.
No statewide law. Atlanta requires properties that receive city funding or incentives to accept Housing Choice Vouchers; its 2020 general ordinance has not been enforced because of state preemption concerns.
- Localities listed in our research
- Atlanta (city-supported properties only). Check the local rule and whether it covers this property.
- Filing time limit
- No voucher-specific filing deadline is confirmed in this entry. Contact the appropriate agency or legal aid promptly.
Some coverage or enforcement details need confirmation. Use the linked agency or legal aid before relying on this summary.
HI
Hawaii
State law · exceptions applyHawaii has statewide voucher protections. Coverage and exceptions matter.
Hawaii’s source-of-income law protects covered voucher rentals and has small-owner and other exceptions. Act 310 provides a civil-action route. Ask legal aid or the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission about current filing options and deadlines before relying on this summary.
- Law or reference
- Haw. Rev. Stat. ch. 368F (Act 310, 2022) · Effective May 1, 2023
- Coverage and exceptions
- Exempts landlords owning four or fewer dwelling units in the state, owner-occupied two-family buildings, owner-occupied homes renting up to four rooms, and cases where the voucher is not approved within 21 days of the tenancy-approval request.
- Filing time limit
- No voucher-specific filing deadline is confirmed in this entry. Contact the appropriate agency or legal aid promptly.
Some coverage or enforcement details need confirmation. Use the linked agency or legal aid before relying on this summary.
ID
Idaho
State limits local lawsIdaho limits local voucher-protection laws. Check the property’s program requirements too.
No statewide protection, and state law bars cities from requiring landlords to accept vouchers; Boise's ordinance is preempted.
- Law or reference
- Idaho Code § 55-307(2) (HB 545, 2024) bars local laws that would require owners to participate in federal housing assistance programs · Effective 2024 (preemption)
- Filing time limit
- No voucher-specific filing deadline is confirmed in this entry. Contact the appropriate agency or legal aid promptly.
IL
Illinois
State law · exceptions applyIllinois has statewide voucher protections. Coverage and exceptions matter.
Source of income is a protected class statewide and IDHR says landlords may apply minimum-income standards only to the tenant's share of rent. File a charge with IDHR.
- Law or reference
- Illinois Human Rights Act, 775 ILCS 5/1-103(O-5), 5/3-102 (HB 2775, P.A. 102-896) · Effective January 1, 2023
- Coverage and exceptions
- Some owner-occupied and other housing arrangements have exceptions. Ask IDHR to confirm coverage for the property; exceptions to one rule do not necessarily permit discriminatory advertising.
- Localities listed in our research
- Chicago · Cook County · Harwood Heights · Naperville · Oak Park · Urbana. Check the local rule and whether it covers this property.
- Filing time limit
- 1 year from the act (IDHR); 2 years for a circuit court action
Some coverage or enforcement details need confirmation. Use the linked agency or legal aid before relying on this summary.
References · Oct 3, 2026
Agency guidance and filing deadline checked Oct 14, 2026.
- 1. PRRAC state and local law survey
- 2. Illinois IDHR filing instructions
- 3. illinois.gov
- 4. Illinois housing rights
- 5. Illinois source-of-income guidance
IN
Indiana
State limits local lawsIndiana limits local voucher-protection laws. Check the property’s program requirements too.
No statewide protection, and cities and counties are barred from requiring landlords to accept vouchers.
- Law or reference
- Ind. Code § 36-1-3-8.5 bars local ordinances that require landlords to participate in Section 8 or similar programs · Effective 2015 (preemption)
- Filing time limit
- No voucher-specific filing deadline is confirmed in this entry. Contact the appropriate agency or legal aid promptly.
IA
Iowa
State limits local lawsIowa limits local voucher-protection laws. Check the property’s program requirements too.
No statewide protection. Ordinances in Des Moines, Iowa City and Marion became void on January 1, 2023.
- Law or reference
- Iowa Code §§ 331.304(13), 364.3(13) bar county and city ordinances on refusal of federal Housing Choice Vouchers · Effective 2021; existing ordinances void from January 1, 2023
- Filing time limit
- No voucher-specific filing deadline is confirmed in this entry. Contact the appropriate agency or legal aid promptly.
KS
Kansas
State limits local lawsKansas limits local voucher-protection laws. Check the property’s program requirements too.
No statewide protection. Lawrence's source-of-income ordinance, the only one in Kansas, became void on July 1, 2026 under SB 391.
- Law or reference
- 2026 Kan. Sess. Laws ch. 152 (SB 391), enacted over the governor's veto · Effective July 1, 2026 (preemption)
- Filing time limit
- No voucher-specific filing deadline is confirmed in this entry. Contact the appropriate agency or legal aid promptly.
References · Oct 3, 2026
Link to this stateKY
Kentucky
State limits local lawsKentucky limits local voucher-protection laws. Check the property’s program requirements too.
No statewide protection. State law nullified the Louisville and Lexington ordinances that covered federal housing assistance.
- Law or reference
- KRS 65.874 (HB 18, 2024, enacted over veto) · Effective 2024 (preemption)
- Filing time limit
- No voucher-specific filing deadline is confirmed in this entry. Contact the appropriate agency or legal aid promptly.
LA
Louisiana
No statewide voucher law foundOur references do not identify a statewide voucher-specific law in Louisiana.
The cited national research does not identify a statewide voucher-specific protection here. That does not establish that a particular refusal is lawful: federal fair housing rules, local measures or the property’s funding conditions may still apply. Check the property and locality with a fair housing agency or legal aid.
- Filing time limit
- No voucher-specific filing deadline is confirmed in this entry. Contact the appropriate agency or legal aid promptly.
Some coverage or enforcement details need confirmation. Use the linked agency or legal aid before relying on this summary.
ME
Maine
Local or limited protectionMaine has no statewide rule that reliably covers vouchers. Some cities and counties have their own.
State law bars refusing a tenant primarily because they receive public assistance, but under Dussault v. RRE Coach Lantern Holdings (2014) a landlord may decline the voucher program's lease requirements. Portland's ordinance covers program requirements. Bills to fix the state law (LD 847, LD 1036) did not pass.
- Law or reference
- Maine Human Rights Act, 5 M.R.S. §§ 4581-A(4), 4582 (status as a recipient of public assistance)
- Localities listed in our research
- Portland. Check the local rule and whether it covers this property.
- Filing time limit
- 300 days (Commission); 2 years for a civil action
Some coverage or enforcement details need confirmation. Use the linked agency or legal aid before relying on this summary.
MD
Maryland
State law · exceptions applyMaryland has statewide voucher protections. Coverage and exceptions matter.
State law names Housing Choice Vouchers as a protected source of income. File with the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights.
- Law or reference
- HOME Act, Md. Code, State Gov't §§ 20-701(j), 20-704, 20-705 · Effective October 1, 2020
- Coverage and exceptions
- For voucher income only: rooms in the owner's principal residence, and apartments in an owner-occupied dwelling with five or fewer rental units.
- Localities listed in our research
- Annapolis · Anne Arundel County · Baltimore City · Baltimore County · Frederick · Frederick County · Howard County · Montgomery County · Prince George's County. Check the local rule and whether it covers this property.
- Filing time limit
- 1 year from the act
MA
Massachusetts
State law · exceptions applyMassachusetts has statewide voucher protections. Coverage and exceptions matter.
Landlords may not discriminate against recipients of housing subsidies or because of any requirement of the subsidy program. File with MCAD.
- Law or reference
- Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 151B, § 4(10) · Effective 1971 (amended 1989 to cover program requirements)
- Localities listed in our research
- Boston · Cambridge · Quincy · Revere. Check the local rule and whether it covers this property.
- Filing time limit
- 300 days from the last discriminatory act (MCAD). Ask MCAD or legal aid about any exception; do not assume the deadline is extended.
Some coverage or enforcement details need confirmation. Use the linked agency or legal aid before relying on this summary.
MI
Michigan
State law · exceptions applyMichigan has statewide voucher protections. Coverage and exceptions matter.
Landlords with five or more units may not deny or advertise against tenants because they use a Housing Choice Voucher or HUD-VASH. File with the Michigan Department of Civil Rights or sue in circuit court.
- Law or reference
- MCL 554.601c (2024 PA 178) and Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act, MCL 37.2502 (2024 PA 180) · Effective April 2, 2025
- Coverage and exceptions
- Does not apply to a landlord, counting related entities, with fewer than five rental units in the state.
- Localities listed in our research
- Ann Arbor · Detroit · East Lansing · Ferndale · Grand Rapids · Hazel Park · Holland · Jackson · Kalamazoo · Kentwood · Lansing · Oak Park · Pontiac · Royal Oak · Westland · Wyoming. Check the local rule and whether it covers this property.
- Filing time limit
- 180 days following the alleged discriminatory act (MDCR).
Some coverage or enforcement details need confirmation. Use the linked agency or legal aid before relying on this summary.
References · Oct 3, 2026
Filing deadline checked Oct 14, 2026.
- 1. PRRAC state and local law survey
- 2. legislature.mi.gov
- 3. legislature.mi.gov
- 4. Michigan MDCR jurisdiction
MN
Minnesota
Local or limited protectionMinnesota has no statewide rule that reliably covers vouchers. Some cities and counties have their own.
State law protects 'status with regard to public assistance', but Edwards v. Hopkins Plaza (Minn. App. 2010) held landlords may decline Section 8 for business reasons; MDHR disagrees with that ruling. Minneapolis's ordinance expressly covers vouchers and was upheld by the Minnesota Supreme Court in 2025.
- Law or reference
- Minnesota Human Rights Act, Minn. Stat. §§ 363A.03, 363A.09 (status with regard to public assistance)
- Localities listed in our research
- Minneapolis. Check the local rule and whether it covers this property.
- Filing time limit
- 1 year from the act
Some coverage or enforcement details need confirmation. Use the linked agency or legal aid before relying on this summary.
References · Oct 3, 2026
Link to this stateMS
Mississippi
No statewide voucher law foundOur references do not identify a statewide voucher-specific law in Mississippi.
The cited national research does not identify a statewide voucher-specific protection here. That does not establish that a particular refusal is lawful: federal fair housing rules, local measures or the property’s funding conditions may still apply. Check the property and locality with a fair housing agency or legal aid.
- Filing time limit
- No voucher-specific filing deadline is confirmed in this entry. Contact the appropriate agency or legal aid promptly.
Some coverage or enforcement details need confirmation. Use the linked agency or legal aid before relying on this summary.
MO
Missouri
State limits local lawsMissouri limits local voucher-protection laws. Check the property’s program requirements too.
No statewide protection. A 2025 law voided ordinances in Kansas City, St. Louis, Columbia, Clayton and Webster Groves that barred refusing housing assistance.
- Law or reference
- Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.043 (HB 595, 2025) · Effective 2025 (preemption)
- Filing time limit
- No voucher-specific filing deadline is confirmed in this entry. Contact the appropriate agency or legal aid promptly.
References · Oct 3, 2026
Link to this stateMT
Montana
No statewide voucher law foundOur references do not identify a statewide voucher-specific law in Montana.
The cited national research does not identify a statewide voucher-specific protection here. That does not establish that a particular refusal is lawful: federal fair housing rules, local measures or the property’s funding conditions may still apply. Check the property and locality with a fair housing agency or legal aid.
- Filing time limit
- No voucher-specific filing deadline is confirmed in this entry. Contact the appropriate agency or legal aid promptly.
Some coverage or enforcement details need confirmation. Use the linked agency or legal aid before relying on this summary.
NE
Nebraska
No statewide voucher law foundOur references do not identify a statewide voucher-specific law in Nebraska.
The cited national research does not identify a statewide voucher-specific protection here. That does not establish that a particular refusal is lawful: federal fair housing rules, local measures or the property’s funding conditions may still apply. Check the property and locality with a fair housing agency or legal aid.
- Filing time limit
- No voucher-specific filing deadline is confirmed in this entry. Contact the appropriate agency or legal aid promptly.
Some coverage or enforcement details need confirmation. Use the linked agency or legal aid before relying on this summary.
NV
Nevada
No statewide voucher law foundOur references do not identify a statewide voucher-specific law in Nevada.
The cited national research does not identify a statewide voucher-specific protection here. That does not establish that a particular refusal is lawful: federal fair housing rules, local measures or the property’s funding conditions may still apply. Check the property and locality with a fair housing agency or legal aid.
- Filing time limit
- No voucher-specific filing deadline is confirmed in this entry. Contact the appropriate agency or legal aid promptly.
Some coverage or enforcement details need confirmation. Use the linked agency or legal aid before relying on this summary.
NH
New Hampshire
No statewide voucher law foundOur references do not identify a statewide voucher-specific law in New Hampshire.
The cited national research does not identify a statewide voucher-specific protection here. That does not establish that a particular refusal is lawful: federal fair housing rules, local measures or the property’s funding conditions may still apply. Check the property and locality with a fair housing agency or legal aid.
- Filing time limit
- No voucher-specific filing deadline is confirmed in this entry. Contact the appropriate agency or legal aid promptly.
Some coverage or enforcement details need confirmation. Use the linked agency or legal aid before relying on this summary.
NJ
New Jersey
State law · exceptions applyNew Jersey has statewide voucher protections. Coverage and exceptions matter.
New Jersey protects rental assistance, including Section 8. The Attorney General’s current guidance explains that minimum-income and financial standards must use only the tenant-paid portion of rent. File a source-of-income discrimination complaint with the Division on Civil Rights.
- Law or reference
- Law Against Discrimination, N.J.S.A. 10:5-12(g) · Effective 2002
- Filing time limit
- 180 days (DCR)
References · Oct 3, 2026
Income screening and filing deadline checked Oct 14, 2026.
Link to this stateNM
New Mexico
Local or limited protectionNew Mexico has no statewide rule that reliably covers vouchers. Some cities and counties have their own.
No statewide law (HB 339 failed in 2025). Albuquerque, Bernalillo County, Las Cruces and Santa Fe have local source-of-income protections.
- Localities listed in our research
- Albuquerque · Bernalillo County · Las Cruces · Santa Fe. Check the local rule and whether it covers this property.
- Filing time limit
- No voucher-specific filing deadline is confirmed in this entry. Contact the appropriate agency or legal aid promptly.
NY
New York
State law under court reviewNew York’s state voucher law is under court review. NYC has separate protections.
State law includes Section 8 in lawful source of income. In Commons West (March 5, 2026), the Third Department ruled against the Section 8 refusal provision. The appeal remained pending as of October 14, 2026; the court’s calendar lists argument for October 20, subject to change. On May 21 the Court of Appeals denied a separate stay motion as unnecessary, citing the automatic-stay statute. Ask DHR or legal aid about current enforcement and the effect on your situation. NYC’s local law is separate.
- Law or reference
- N.Y. Exec. Law §§ 292(36), 296(5) (Lawful Source of Income Non-Discrimination Act of 2019) · Effective April 2019
- Coverage and exceptions
- Coverage depends on the property and the claim. DHR describes limited exceptions for certain owner-occupied arrangements; the senior-housing exception concerns age and familial status, not a blanket exemption from voucher protections.
- Localities listed in our research
- Buffalo · Erie County · Hamburg · Nassau County · New York City · Rochester · Suffolk County · Syracuse · Westchester County · West Seneca. Check the local rule and whether it covers this property.
- Filing time limit
- 3 years from the most recent act, for acts on or after February 15, 2024
Some coverage or enforcement details need confirmation. Use the linked agency or legal aid before relying on this summary.
References · Oct 3, 2026
Court developments and DHR filing deadline checked Oct 14, 2026.
- 1. PRRAC state and local law survey
- 2. NYS DHR filing instructions
- 3. Commons West opinion · March 2026
- 4. prrac.org
- 5. dhr.ny.gov
- 6. Official Commons West decision
- 7. Court of Appeals stay order
- 8. September 2026 court orders
- 9. October 2026 argument calendar
NC
North Carolina
Local or limited protectionNorth Carolina has no statewide rule that reliably covers vouchers. Some cities and counties have their own.
No statewide law. A few local policies require only housing built with city or county support to accept vouchers.
- Localities listed in our research
- Charlotte (city-supported properties only) · Mecklenburg County (county-supported properties only) · Raleigh (city-supported properties only) · Winston-Salem (city-supported properties only). Check the local rule and whether it covers this property.
- Filing time limit
- No voucher-specific filing deadline is confirmed in this entry. Contact the appropriate agency or legal aid promptly.
Some coverage or enforcement details need confirmation. Use the linked agency or legal aid before relying on this summary.
ND
North Dakota
Voucher coverage needs confirmationNorth Dakota has a statewide source-of-income law, but we could not confirm that it covers housing vouchers.
State law bars refusing to rent because a person receives public assistance, defined to include rental assistance or rent supplements; no agency statement or court ruling confirming it covers Housing Choice Vouchers was found. File with the Department of Labor and Human Rights.
- Law or reference
- N.D.C.C. §§ 14-02.4-02(19), 14-02.5-02 (status with regard to public assistance) · Effective 1983 (Human Rights Act); 1999 (Housing Discrimination Act)
- Coverage and exceptions
- General exemption for an owner of three or fewer single-family houses renting without a broker; none specific to public assistance.
- Filing time limit
- 1 year from the last alleged discriminatory event to file with the Department of Labor and Human Rights.
Some coverage or enforcement details need confirmation. Use the linked agency or legal aid before relying on this summary.
OH
Ohio
Local or limited protectionOhio has no statewide rule that reliably covers vouchers. Some cities and counties have their own.
No statewide law (HB 135 stalled in 2025). More than 20 Ohio cities have local source-of-income ordinances; file with the city's fair housing or community relations office.
- Localities listed in our research
- Akron · Athens · Bexley · Chauncey · Cincinnati · Cleveland Heights · Columbus · Dayton · Gahanna · Grandview Heights · Linndale · Lorain · Reynoldsburg · South Euclid · Toledo · University Heights · Upper Arlington · Warrensville Heights · Westerville · Whitehall · Wickliffe · Worthington · Yellow Springs. Check the local rule and whether it covers this property.
- Filing time limit
- No voucher-specific filing deadline is confirmed in this entry. Contact the appropriate agency or legal aid promptly.
OK
Oklahoma
No statewide voucher law foundOur references do not identify a statewide voucher-specific law in Oklahoma.
Oklahoma's statute only bars refusing to count public assistance as income when done because of race, religion, sex or another protected class; it is not a stand-alone ban on refusing vouchers, although PRRAC lists it among state source-of-income laws.
- Law or reference
- 25 O.S. § 1452(A)(8) (public assistance income) · Effective 1985
- Filing time limit
- No voucher-specific filing deadline is confirmed in this entry. Contact the appropriate agency or legal aid promptly.
Some coverage or enforcement details need confirmation. Use the linked agency or legal aid before relying on this summary.
References · Oct 3, 2026
Link to this stateOR
Oregon
State law · exceptions applyOregon has statewide voucher protections. Coverage and exceptions matter.
Source of income includes Section 8 and any other local, state or federal housing assistance. File with BOLI's Civil Rights Division.
- Law or reference
- ORS 659A.421(1)(d) (HB 2639, 2013) · Effective July 1, 2014
- Coverage and exceptions
- A landlord may still refuse based on past conduct or inability to pay rent, counting the assistance as income.
- Filing time limit
- 1 year from the act (BOLI); 2 years for a civil action
References · Oct 3, 2026
Link to this statePA
Pennsylvania
Local or limited protectionPennsylvania has no statewide rule that reliably covers vouchers. Some cities and counties have their own.
No statewide law. Philadelphia and State College have local protections; Pittsburgh's ordinance was struck down by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court in 2021.
- Localities listed in our research
- Philadelphia · State College. Check the local rule and whether it covers this property.
- Filing time limit
- No voucher-specific filing deadline is confirmed in this entry. Contact the appropriate agency or legal aid promptly.
RI
Rhode Island
State law · exceptions applyRhode Island has statewide voucher protections. Coverage and exceptions matter.
Lawful source of income includes Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and any requirement of the program. File a charge with the Commission for Human Rights.
- Law or reference
- Rhode Island Fair Housing Practices Act, R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 34-37-3, 34-37-4, 34-37-4.6 · Effective April 15, 2021
- Coverage and exceptions
- Owner-occupied buildings of three units or fewer are exempt.
- Localities listed in our research
- Providence. Check the local rule and whether it covers this property.
- Filing time limit
- 1 year from the act
SC
South Carolina
No statewide voucher law foundOur references do not identify a statewide voucher-specific law in South Carolina.
The cited national research does not identify a statewide voucher-specific protection here. That does not establish that a particular refusal is lawful: federal fair housing rules, local measures or the property’s funding conditions may still apply. Check the property and locality with a fair housing agency or legal aid.
- Filing time limit
- No voucher-specific filing deadline is confirmed in this entry. Contact the appropriate agency or legal aid promptly.
Some coverage or enforcement details need confirmation. Use the linked agency or legal aid before relying on this summary.
SD
South Dakota
No statewide voucher law foundOur references do not identify a statewide voucher-specific law in South Dakota.
The cited national research does not identify a statewide voucher-specific protection here. That does not establish that a particular refusal is lawful: federal fair housing rules, local measures or the property’s funding conditions may still apply. Check the property and locality with a fair housing agency or legal aid.
- Filing time limit
- No voucher-specific filing deadline is confirmed in this entry. Contact the appropriate agency or legal aid promptly.
Some coverage or enforcement details need confirmation. Use the linked agency or legal aid before relying on this summary.
TN
Tennessee
Local or limited protectionTennessee has no statewide rule that reliably covers vouchers. Some cities and counties have their own.
No statewide voucher protection is identified in the cited research. Memphis’s fair housing ordinance includes Section 8 in its source-of-income definition. Confirm current coverage and the complaint process with the city.
- Localities listed in our research
- Memphis. Check the local rule and whether it covers this property.
- Filing time limit
- No voucher-specific filing deadline is confirmed in this entry. Contact the appropriate agency or legal aid promptly.
Some coverage or enforcement details need confirmation. Use the linked agency or legal aid before relying on this summary.
TX
Texas
State limits local lawsTexas limits local voucher-protection laws. Check the property’s program requirements too.
Texas limits local voucher-protection ordinances, with exceptions for veterans and voluntary programs. Property owners' associations may not prohibit owners from renting to voucher holders. TDHCA-funded or administered multifamily housing, including housing-tax-credit properties, cannot exclude applicants because they use Housing Choice Vouchers (§ 2306.269; checked October 8, 2026). Other program or contract requirements may also apply; ordinary screening and agency approval still matter.
- Law or reference
- Tex. Local Gov't Code § 250.007 (SB 267, 2015); Tex. Prop. Code § 202.024 (HB 1193, 2023); Tex. Gov't Code § 2306.269 (TDHCA housing) · Effective 2015 (preemption); September 1, 2023 (HOA rule)
- Filing time limit
- No voucher-specific filing deadline is confirmed in this entry. Contact the appropriate agency or legal aid promptly.
UT
Utah
Voucher coverage needs confirmationUtah has a statewide source-of-income law, but we could not confirm that it covers housing vouchers.
Source of income is defined as receiving federal, state or local assistance, including rental assistance or rent supplements; UALD's page does not mention Section 8 by name. File with UALD.
- Law or reference
- Utah Fair Housing Act, Utah Code §§ 57-21-2, 57-21-5 (source of income) · Effective 1993
- Filing time limit
- 180 days for UALD investigation. UALD describes referring complaints received on days 181–365 to HUD; a voucher-only claim is not automatically covered by federal law. Contact UALD promptly.
Some coverage or enforcement details need confirmation. Use the linked agency or legal aid before relying on this summary.
References · Oct 3, 2026
Filing process and deadline checked Oct 14, 2026.
- 1. PRRAC state and local law survey
- 2. codes.findlaw.com
- 3. nlihc.org
- 4. Utah UALD fair housing guidance
VT
Vermont
State law · exceptions applyVermont has statewide voucher protections. Coverage and exceptions matter.
The Human Rights Commission treats refusing Section 8 as illegal discrimination against a recipient of public assistance. File with the Vermont Human Rights Commission.
- Law or reference
- 9 V.S.A. § 4503(a) (recipient of public assistance) · Effective 1987-1988
- Coverage and exceptions
- Owner-occupied buildings of three or fewer units are exempt (general exemption).
- Filing time limit
- 1 year from the most recent act
References · Oct 3, 2026
Filing deadline checked Oct 14, 2026.
- 1. PRRAC state and local law survey
- 2. legislature.vermont.gov
- 3. hrc.vermont.gov
- 4. Vermont complaint process
- 5. Vermont fair housing questions
VA
Virginia
State law · exceptions applyVirginia has statewide voucher protections. Coverage and exceptions matter.
'Source of funds' covers any governmental or private assistance, benefit or subsidy program. File with the Virginia Fair Housing Office.
- Law or reference
- Virginia Fair Housing Law, Va. Code §§ 36-96.1:1, 36-96.2, 36-96.3 (source of funds) · Effective July 1, 2020
- Coverage and exceptions
- Owners of four or fewer rental units in Virginia are exempt (unless holding more than a 10% interest in more than four), and a landlord may deny if the voucher is not approved within 15 days of the tenancy-approval request.
- Localities listed in our research
- Alexandria · Arlington County · Norfolk · Richmond. Check the local rule and whether it covers this property.
- Filing time limit
- 1 year from the act; 2 years for a civil action
References · Oct 3, 2026
Agency filing deadline checked Oct 14, 2026.
- 1. PRRAC state and local law survey
- 2. law.lis.virginia.gov
- 3. law.lis.virginia.gov
- 4. Virginia fair housing guidance
WA
Washington
State law · exceptions applyWashington has statewide voucher protections. Coverage and exceptions matter.
RCW 59.18.255 prohibits source-of-income discrimination and provides a civil-action remedy. Local agencies, such as Seattle’s, may also enforce local rules. Contact legal aid about the appropriate route and deadline for your claim.
- Law or reference
- RCW 59.18.255 (Residential Landlord-Tenant Act) · Effective September 30, 2018
- Coverage and exceptions
- The statute has an inspection-related exception only when all three conditions apply: assistance requires an inspection, a written repair estimate exceeds $1,500, and the landlord has not received landlord-mitigation funds for the work.
- Localities listed in our research
- Bellevue · Bellingham · Kent · King County (unincorporated) · Kirkland · Olympia · Redmond · Renton · Seattle · Spokane · Tumwater · Vancouver. Check the local rule and whether it covers this property.
- Filing time limit
- No voucher-specific filing deadline is confirmed in this entry. Contact the appropriate agency or legal aid promptly.
Some coverage or enforcement details need confirmation. Use the linked agency or legal aid before relying on this summary.
References · Oct 3, 2026
Statutory protection and inspection exception checked Oct 14, 2026.
Link to this stateWV
West Virginia
No statewide voucher law foundOur references do not identify a statewide voucher-specific law in West Virginia.
The cited national research does not identify a statewide voucher-specific protection here. That does not establish that a particular refusal is lawful: federal fair housing rules, local measures or the property’s funding conditions may still apply. Check the property and locality with a fair housing agency or legal aid.
- Filing time limit
- No voucher-specific filing deadline is confirmed in this entry. Contact the appropriate agency or legal aid promptly.
Some coverage or enforcement details need confirmation. Use the linked agency or legal aid before relying on this summary.
WI
Wisconsin
Local or limited protectionWisconsin has no statewide rule that reliably covers vouchers. Some cities and counties have their own.
Wisconsin's lawful-source-of-income protection has been read not to cover Section 8 vouchers (Knapp v. Eagle Property Management, 7th Cir. 1995). Dane County, Madison and Milwaukee County ordinances do cover vouchers.
- Law or reference
- Wis. Stat. § 106.50 (lawful source of income) · Effective 1980
- Localities listed in our research
- Dane County · Madison · Milwaukee County. Check the local rule and whether it covers this property.
- Filing time limit
- 1 year from the act
References · Oct 3, 2026
Link to this stateWY
Wyoming
No statewide voucher law foundOur references do not identify a statewide voucher-specific law in Wyoming.
The cited national research does not identify a statewide voucher-specific protection here. That does not establish that a particular refusal is lawful: federal fair housing rules, local measures or the property’s funding conditions may still apply. Check the property and locality with a fair housing agency or legal aid.
- Filing time limit
- No voucher-specific filing deadline is confirmed in this entry. Contact the appropriate agency or legal aid promptly.
Some coverage or enforcement details need confirmation. Use the linked agency or legal aid before relying on this summary.
These categories describe the research, not the outcome of an individual case. Local rules, funding conditions, exceptions and court decisions can change the answer for a particular apartment.
New York City
NYC has its own
voucher protections.
Most NYC rental properties are covered by the city’s source-of-income protections. That includes assistance such as Section 8, CityFHEPS and HASA. Some owner-occupied and shared living arrangements have exceptions.
Read CCHR’s coverage guidanceCity sources checked October 14, 2026
Income and credit requirements
NYC’s guidance explains when income tests, guarantor demands and credit requirements can discriminate against voucher holders. Save the criteria you were given and ask CCHR how they apply to your voucher.
NYC tenant questions and answersContact the Commission on Human Rights
Call 212-416-0197 or 311. For a source-of-income complaint, the city generally requires filing within one year of the last discriminatory act. An online tip is not a formal complaint.
CCHR filing instructionsAcross the country
Federal housing protections.
A state’s voucher-law category does not describe every housing right you have.
The federal Fair Housing Act
The federal Fair Housing Act protects against discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status and disability. Voucher use is not a separate protected class under that Act. A voucher-related refusal may still involve another protected characteristic. State and local laws, and rules for certain federally assisted properties, can provide additional voucher protections.
HUD’s fair housing overviewHOME and tax-credit housing
HOME tenant-selection rules bar excluding an applicant because they hold a Housing Choice Voucher. Low-Income Housing Tax Credit commitments also include voucher protections. These rules do not waive other lawful eligibility requirements.
Ask HUD about a federal discrimination complaint.
The Fair Housing Act’s administrative filing period is generally one year after the alleged discrimination occurred or ended. Other laws and court routes can differ.
42 U.S.C. § 3610Before you contact an agency
Have these details nearby.
Share sensitive documents only through the receiving agency’s approved process.
- Apartment address and listing link
- Dates, names and contact information
- The exact statement or written reason for denial
- Your application and screening criteria
- Relevant messages, notices and screenshots
- Voucher program and administering agency
Help with the next step
Practical guides for documenting a problem and finding the appropriate help.
New York
Commons West Ruling: Does It Apply to NYC Section 8?The state court case, the appeal and NYC’s separate local law.
United States
How to dispute errors on a tenant screening reportReview a rental screening report and dispute inaccurate information.
Common questions
Questions about voucher rights.
Start here, then use the guidance for the apartment’s location.
Explore housing resourcesDo all landlords have to accept Section 8?
There is no single nationwide rule covering every private rental. State or local law may protect voucher use, and certain properties have obligations tied to their funding. The property’s location, ownership and program participation matter. Start with your state entry and its sources.
Find your stateDoes having a voucher guarantee an apartment?
No. Voucher protections address discrimination; they do not guarantee a particular apartment or replace lawful screening and agency approval. Ask for the reason for a denial in writing and keep the notice with your application records.
Rental applications and housing helpCan a landlord require income equal to three times the full rent?
The answer depends on the applicable law. Do not assume a full-rent income test is valid for a voucher applicant. NYC publishes specific income and credit guidance, and New Jersey’s current guidance bases financial standards on the tenant-paid share. Ask the local enforcement agency about your situation.
Read NYC’s income and credit guidanceShould I report a voucher refusal to HUD?
A voucher-only refusal is not automatically a federal Fair Housing Act claim. HUD may be the right place when the facts involve a federally protected characteristic or another law it enforces. State and local agencies may handle voucher-specific protections. Describe all the facts when asking where to file.
See what HUD investigatesDoes reporting a listing to VoucherMatch file a legal complaint?
No. Reporting a listing asks VoucherMatch to review activity on the platform. It does not file with a government agency, preserve a court claim or extend a legal deadline. Use the agency’s process separately.
Contact VoucherMatch supportWhat if my state entry shows no statewide voucher law?
That is not a finding that a particular refusal was lawful. A local measure, the property’s funding conditions or another fair housing protection may apply. A legal aid provider can help you identify the rules that fit the apartment and the facts.
Find legal aid near youSources and review dates
Published by VoucherMatch. State references were reviewed on . Targeted updates on are labeled in the affected entries; they are not a new review of every state and local rule.
Federal and NYC guidance was checked for this update. Each state entry retains its sources and any uncertainty. The national starting reference is PRRAC’s March 2026 law compilation; agency instructions, statutes and court records provide the details.