CHAPTER 93: FAIR HOUSING
Section
   93.01   Policy
   93.02   Definitions
   93.03   Unlawful practice
   93.04   Discrimination in sales or rentals
   93.05   Discrimination in housing financing
   93.06   Discrimination in brokerage services
   93.07   Exemption
   93.08   Administration and enforcement
   93.09   Investigations; subpoena and evidence
   93.10   Interference, coercion or intimidation
   93.11   Prevention of intimidation
 
   93.99   Penalty
§ 93.01 POLICY.
   It is the policy of the county to provide, within constitutional limitations, for fair housing throughout the county.
(2001 Code, § 90.01) (Ord. passed 8-14-1990)
§ 93.02 DEFINITIONS.
   For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
   DISCRIMINATORY HOUSING PRACTICE. An act that is unlawful under §§ 93.04 through 93.06.
   DWELLING, Any building, structure or portion thereof which is occupied as, or designed or intended for occupancy as, a residence by one or more families, and any vacant land which is offered for sale or lease for the construction or location thereon of any building, structure or portion thereof.
   FAMILY. Includes a single individual.
   PERSON. One or more individuals, corporations, partnerships, associations, labor organizations, legal representatives, mutual companies, joint stock companies, trusts, unincorporated organizations, trustees, trustees in bankruptcy, receivers and fiduciaries.
   TO RENT. Includes to lease, to sublease, to let and otherwise to grant for a consideration the right to occupy premises owned by the occupant.
(Ord. passed 8-14-1990)
§ 93.03 UNLAWFUL PRACTICE.
   Subject to the provisions of division (B) below and § 93.07, the prohibitions against discrimination in the sale or rental of housing set forth herein shall apply to:
   (A)   All dwellings, except as exempted by division (B) below;
   (B)   Nothing in § 93.04 shall apply to:
      (1)   Any single-family house sold or rented by an owner, provided that:
         (a)   The private individual owner does not own more than three single-family houses at any one time;
         (b)   In the case of the sale of any single-family house by a private individual owner not residing in the house at the time of the sale or who was not the most recent resident of the house prior to the sale, the exemption granted by this division (B)(1) shall apply only with respect to one sale within any 24-month period;
         (c)   The bona fide private individual owner does not own any interest in, nor is there owned or reserved on his or her behalf, under any express or voluntary agreement, title to or any right to all or a portion of the proceeds from the sale or rental of more than three single-family houses any one time; or
         (d)   The sale or rental of any single-family house shall be excepted from the application of this chapter only if the house is sold or rented:
            1.   Without the use in any manner of the sales or rental facilities or the sales or rental services of any real estate broker, agent or salesperson or of the facilities or services of any person in the business of selling or renting dwellings, or of any employee or agent of any broker, agent, salesperson or person; or
            2.   Without the publication, posting or mailing, after notice of any advertisement or written notice in violation of § 93.04, but nothing in this provision shall prohibit the use of attorneys, escrow agents, abstractors, title companies and other professional assistance as necessary to perfect or transfer the title.
      (2)   Rooms or units in dwellings containing living quarters occupied or intended to be occupied by no more than four families living independently of each other, if the owner actually maintains and occupies one of the living quarters as his or her residence.
   (C)   For the purposes of division (B) above, a person shall be deemed to be in the business of selling or renting dwellings if:
      (1)   He or she has, within the preceding 12 months, participated as principal in three or more transactions involving the sale or rental of any dwelling or any interest therein;
      (2)   He or she has, within the preceding 12 months, participated as agent, other than in the sale of his or her own personal residence in providing sales or rental facilities or sales or rental services in two or more transactions involving the sale or rental of any dwelling or any interest therein; or
      (3)   He or she is the owner of any dwelling designed or intended for occupancy by, or occupied by, five or more families.
(2001 Code, § 90.03) (Ord. passed 8-14-1990) Penalty, see § 93.99
§ 93.04 DISCRIMINATION IN SALES OR RENTALS.
   As made applicable by § 93.03(A) and except as exempted by §§ 93.03(B) and 93.07, it shall be unlawful:
   (A)   To refuse to sell or rent after the making of a bona fide offer, or to refuse to negotiate for the sale or rental of, or otherwise make unavailable or to deny, a dwelling to any person because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status or handicapped status;
   (B)   To discriminate against any person in the terms, conditions or privileges of sale or rental of a dwelling, or in the provision of services or facilities in connection therewith, because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status or handicapped status;
   (C)   To make, print or publish, or cause to be made, printed or published any notice, statement or advertisement, with respect to the sale or rental of a dwelling that indicates any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status or handicapped state, or an intention to make any preference, limitation or discrimination; and
   (D)   To represent to any person because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status or handicapped status that any dwelling is not available for inspection, sale or rental when the dwelling is in fact so available.
(2001 Code, § 90.04) (Ord. passed 8-14-1990) Penalty, see § 93.99
Loading...