California Fair Housing Statutes & Regulations

All states are required to comply with the federal Fair Housing Act. In addition, the State of California has extended housing discrimination laws to cover other protected groups.

• The Fair Employment and Housing Act (Gov’t. Code §§12900–12996) – General Housing
• The Unruh Civil Rights Act (Civ. Code §51) – Senior Housing

California fair housing laws prohibit discrimination because of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, and disability—just like federal law.

In addition, California outlaws discrimination in housing because of a person’s:

• Source of Income
• Sexual Orientation
• Marital Status
• Age
• Arbitrary Characteristics
• Gender Identity & Gender Expression
• & Others

The Department of Fair Employment and Housing accepts and investigates complaints of illegal housing discrimination in California.