Can landlords legally not accept Section 8 tenants?

As of 2015, the rules that govern landlord behavior towards Section 8 tenants differ by state. In California, landlords are legally allowed to refuse Section 8 tenants, while in Oregon, a law passed in 2014 made rejecting Section 8 tenant applications illegal.

While landlords in California are allowed to discriminate against renters based on their Section 8 status, they must apply the same screening standards that are used on other applicants. Section 8 renters in California are also protected once they have moved into a property and may not be kicked out without just cause. On average, Section 8 renters typically put up to 30 percent of their income toward rent.