How long do I have to report housing discrimination in California?

One year, for the administrative route: a housing discrimination complaint under the Fair Employment and Housing Act must be filed with the California Civil Rights Department within one year of the discriminatory practice (Government Code section 12980). A civil lawsuit under the federal Fair Housing Act may be filed within two years (42 U.S.C. § 3613).

Housing discrimination (refusing to rent or sell, imposing different terms, harassment, or denying reasonable accommodations based on race, disability, familial status, source of income including Section 8 vouchers, and other protected characteristics (Government Code section 12955)) can be pursued through several doors with different clocks. The administrative complaint to the California Civil Rights Department must be filed within one year of the practice (Government Code section 12980); the CRD investigates, conciliates, and can litigate. The federal administrative route through HUD also runs one year (42 U.S.C. § 3610). Going straight to court under the federal Fair Housing Act allows two years from the occurrence or termination of the discriminatory practice (42 U.S.C. § 3613). A continuing violation, an ongoing policy rather than a single refusal, can extend accrual. Keep the listing, your application, texts with the landlord or agent, and notes of what was said and when; the paper trail usually decides these cases.

Authority: Cal. Gov. Code § 12980