San Jose Mun. Code Chapter 17.23 § 17.23.169
Rental voucher unit (San Jose Apartment Rent Ordinance and Tenant Protection Ordinance)
Operative Text
"Rental Voucher Unit" means a Rental Unit that is restricted to occupancy by lower income households by a contract where the Tenant pays no more than 35% of their income towards the Rent, the remainder being paid with a government agency or a nonprofit administering government agency's funds, and where the rent is not increased on an annual basis, but only where allowed under the rules of the government agency.
Under San José Municipal Code Chapter 17.23 § 17.23.169, a 'Rental Voucher Unit' is a specific category of rental housing reserved for lower-income households under a contract arrangement. In such units, the tenant's share of rent is capped at 35% of their income, with the remaining balance covered by a government agency or a nonprofit that administers government funds. Rent increases in these units are not permitted on a routine annual basis; they may only occur when the governing rules of the participating government agency expressly allow it.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 17.23.169, operators of Rental Voucher Units are generally bound by the terms of their contract with the relevant government agency or administering nonprofit, which sets the framework for tenant rent contributions and the landlord's total allowable rent. Compliant operators typically limit any rent increases to those expressly permitted under the applicable agency's rules, rather than applying standard annual adjustments. Keeping thorough records of the governing contract and any agency-approved rent change notices is a practice commonly associated with maintaining compliance under this definition.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 17.23.169 of the San José Municipal Code establishes that tenants in Rental Voucher Units are entitled to pay no more than 35% of their income toward rent, with the balance funded through a government agency or administering nonprofit. Rent in these units can only be increased when the rules of the relevant government agency specifically permit it, meaning routine annual increases are not authorized under this provision. Tenants who believe a rent increase has been applied outside those permitted circumstances may consider raising the issue with the San José Rent Program, consulting a local tenant-rights organization, or reviewing the terms of the governing voucher contract for further guidance.
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 4, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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