california residential-lease fair-housing-acts
Is occupation distinct from &quot;source of income&quot;?
<p>As per <a href="http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/displaycode?section=gov&amp;group=12001-13000&amp;file=12955-12956.2">California Government Code, section 12955</a>, it's illegal to discriminate housing accommodation based on the source of income.</p>

<p>However, what about the occupation itself?  For example, is it possible to have an apartment complex dedicated to those in the field of engineering?  Or where all occupants are engaged in (unrelated) technical startups?</p>

<p><a href="http://law.onecle.com/california/government/12927.html" rel="nofollow">The Code defines "Source of income" as</a>:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>lawful, verifiable income paid directly to a tenant or paid to a representative of a tenant.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>There's nothing to suggest that the occupation is a relevant consideration otherwise. What it would mean is that if the occupation of a person is relevant to their source of income, it would be illegal to discriminate on that basis.</p>

<p>I would consider occupation distinct from source of income - I could (but don't) have a family trust that is my source of income, and my occupation is volunteer work. My occupation is very clearly <strong>not</strong> my source of income.</p>
