Cal. Gov't Code § 12955.5

California Government Code

In Force
Verified 6/11/2026 · Next check 7/11/2026
effective 1/1/1993CaliforniaPrivacy & Tenant Data

Operative Text

Cal. Gov't Code § 12955.5
Nothing in this part shall preclude the government from establishing programs to collect information relating to discriminatory housing practices.
Source: Legislative text reproduced verbatim
Plain English

Cal. Gov't Code § 12955.5 clarifies that the broader set of fair housing rules in this part of California law does not prevent government agencies from creating and operating programs designed to gather data about discriminatory housing practices. In other words, the statute preserves governmental authority to monitor, study, and document housing discrimination even where other provisions might otherwise seem to limit such activity. The rule functions as a savings clause, ensuring that information-collection efforts remain a permissible tool for public agencies.

Written by anthropic/claude-sonnet-4.6 · Reviewed on September 3, 2026

Plain English — not legal advice.

For Property Managers

Under Cal. Gov't Code § 12955.5, government agencies retain the authority to run programs that collect information about discriminatory housing practices, which means property owners and managers may be subject to data-gathering inquiries or audits conducted by those agencies. Operators who maintain thorough, consistent records of their rental decisions, tenant communications, and application processes are generally better positioned to respond accurately to any such governmental information requests. Familiarity with this provision helps property managers understand that compliance extends beyond avoiding discriminatory acts to also cooperating appropriately with lawful government monitoring efforts.

General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.

For Tenants

Cal. Gov't Code § 12955.5 preserves the right of government agencies to establish programs that collect information about housing discrimination, which can serve as a resource for tenants who believe they have experienced discriminatory treatment. Tenants may report suspected discriminatory housing practices to agencies such as the California Civil Rights Department, which can use such reports as part of its information-gathering function under this framework. Those seeking to understand their options can also reach out to local tenant-rights organizations or fair housing councils for general guidance on how reporting and complaint processes work.

General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.

Generated September 3, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.

Effective Timeline

Current
Jan 1, 1993
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Related Rules

§ 5.210
§ 5.210 Purpose, applicability, and Federal preemption.
§ 5.212
§ 5.212 Compliance with the Privacy Act and other requirements.
§ 5.510
§ 5.510 Documents of eligible immigration status.

Source Information