(a) "Board" means the Fair Housing Review Board.
(b) "Covered multi-family dwellings" means buildings consisting of four or more units, if such buildings have one or more elevators, and ground floor units in other buildings consisting of four or more units.
(c) “Discriminate" or "discrimination" means to segregate or separate persons in a particular manner solely or in part because of race, religion color, sex, national origin, age, disability or handicap, familial status or ancestry. However, it does not include special outreach efforts conducted by, or under the authority of units of local government or non-profit fair housing corporations or agencies to administer the programs and activities relating to housing and urban development in a manner which affirmatively furthers the policy of this chapter.
(d) "Dwelling" means a building or structure, or part thereof, used or designed or intended to be used for residential purposes.
(e) “Handicap" means a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, including the functions of caring for one’s self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, and working; a record of a physical or mental impairment; or being regarded as having a physical or mental impairment, but such term does not include current, illegal use of or addiction to, a controlled substance, as defined in 21 U.S.C. Section 802. The term "disabled" or "disability" may be used in place of, or may be interchangeable with, the term "handicap."
(f) "Familial status" refers to the status of:
(1) One or more individuals (who have not attained the age of 18 years) being domiciled with:
A. Parent or other person having legal custody of such individual or individuals; or
B. The designees of such parent or other persons having such custody, with the written permission of such parent or other persons.
(2) Any person who is pregnant or is in the process of securing legal custody of any individual who has not attained the age of eighteen years.
(g) "Housing accommodations" or housing or dwelling means any building which is used or occupied or is intended be used or occupied as the home residence, dwelling unit, or sleeping place of one or more individuals, groups, or families whether or not living independently of each other, and any vacant land zoned residential and offered for sale or lease. It also includes any housing accommodations held or offered for sale or rent by a real estate broker.
(h) "Housing for older persons" means housing: (1) Provided under any State or Federal program that the Secretary of HUD determines is specifically designed and operated to assist elderly persons (as defined in the State or Federal program); or (2) Intended for, and solely occupied by, persons sixty-two (62) years of age or older; or (3) Intended and operated for occupancy by at least one person fifty-five (55) years or older per unit. The determination as to whether housing qualifies as housing for older persons under this subsection shall be consistent with regulations promulgated by the Secretary of HUD, providing at least the following factors: (a) The existence of significant facilities and services specifically designed to meet the physical or social needs of older persons, or if the provision of such facilities and services is not practicable, that such housing is necessary to provide important housing opportunities for older persons; and (b) That at least eighty percent (80%) of the units are occupied by at least one (1) person fifty-five (55) years of age or older per unit; and (c) The publication of, and adherence to, policies and procedures which demonstrate an intent by the owner or manager to provide housing for persons fifty-five (55) years of age or older. Housing shall not fail to meet the requirements of housing for older persons by reason of: (i) Persons residing in such housing as of the date of enactment of the Fair Housing Act of 1988 who do not meet the age requirements of this subsection; provided that the new occupants of such housing meet such age requirements; or (ii) Unoccupied units; provided that such units are reserved for occupancy by persons who meet the age requirements of this subsection.
(i) “Lending institutions” means any bank, savings and loan association, insurance company, or other organization or person regularly engaged in the business of lending money, guaranteeing loans for profit, or otherwise providing financial assistance or insurance in connection with the purchase, sale or rental of dwellings.
(j) "Person" means one (1) or more individuals, corporations, partnerships, associations, labor organizations, legal representatives, mutual companies, joint stock companies, trusts, unincorporated organizations, trustees, trustees in bankruptcy, receivers or fiduciaries.
(k) "Protected group" or "protected class" refers to persons who are or may be discriminated against on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, national origin, disability or handicap, familial status or ancestry.
(l) "Purchase" means to obtain a dwelling through sale.
(m) "Real Estate Broker" means a real estate agent or salesperson, or a limited real estate broker or salesperson, as defined in Ohio R.C. 4735.01.
(n) "Rent" or "Rental" means to lease, sublease, assign or otherwise grant or obtain the right to occupy a dwelling not owned by the occupant in return for consideration, or a contract or option to do any of the foregoing.
(o) "Sale" or "Sell" means to convey, exchange, transfer or assign legal or equitable title to, or beneficial interest in, a dwelling in return for consideration, or a contract or option to do any of the foregoing.
(p) "Sexual orientation" means a person’s actual or perceived homosexuality, bisexuality or heterosexuality, by orientation or practice.