(a) No person selling or renting real property shall, because of Protected Class:
(1) Refuse to sell or rent property.
(2) Evict from or deny occupancy.
(3) Make any distinction, discrimination or restriction in the eligibility criteria, sale, rental, price, terms, conditions or privileges relating to the sale, rental, lease, occupancy of real property or in the furnishing of any facilities or services in connection therewith.
(4) Fail to provide complete, accurate, and truthful information.
(5) Make unavailable or otherwise attempt to prevent the sale, rental or lease of any real property to a purchaser or renter.
(b) No person selling or renting real property shall publish, circulate, issue or display, or cause to be published, circulated, issued or displayed, any communication, notice, advertisement or sign of any kind relating to the sale, rental or leasing of real property which indicates any preference, limitation or discrimination based on Protected Class.
(c) No person, firm, partnership, association or corporation shall:
(1) Induce, directly or indirectly, or attempt to induce directly or indirectly, the sale or listing for sale of residential property by representing that a change has occurred or may occur in the composition of any Protected Class in the block, neighborhood or area in which the property is located.
(2) Induce, directly or indirectly, or attempt to induce directly or indirectly, the sale or listing for sale of residential real property by representing that the presence or anticipated presence of individuals of any particular Protected Class in the area will or may result in:
A. The lowering of property value;
B. A change in the composition of a Protected Class or Classes in the block, neighborhood or area in which the property is located;
C. An increase in criminal or antisocial behavior in the area; and/or
D. A decline in the quality of the schools serving the area.
(3) Make any representation to any prospective purchaser or renter of real estate that any block, neighborhood or area has, will or might undergo a change with respect to the composition of Protected Class in the block, neighborhood or area for the purpose of discouraging the purchase of residential property in a particular area.
(4) Make any representations or omissions or engage in any other action pertaining to real estate for the purpose of directing or discouraging a potential real estate purchaser or renter from living in a particular unit, building, or neighborhood because of Protected Class.
(5) Place any sign advertising the sale or rental of real property on any City owned property without authority.
(6) Refer to Protected Class in any showing, advertisement, or other communication offering residential property for sale or rental.
(7) Engage in, hire or conspire with any other or others to commit acts or activities of any nature, the purpose of which is to incite fear of any Protected Class among property owners.
(d) No financial institution shall discriminate, as defined herein, in the granting, extending or renewing of any financial assistance or in the fixing of rates, terms or conditions of any financial assistance, sought by any person applying for the purchase, construction, rehabilitation, repair or maintenance of any real property, or improvements thereon.
(e) No person shall conspire, assist, aid or abet, induce, incite or coerce another person to commit an act or engage in a practice that violates this section, or engage in economic or other reprisals against a person or business firm for complying with this section.
(f) As used in this section, "familial status" discrimination shall include discrimination based upon the occupancy of real property by children of a purchaser or renter of the property and/or discrimination against a renter/purchaser or potential renter/ purchaser based upon the renter/purchaser or potential renter/ purchaser having children.
(g) As used in this section, "military status" shall include the status of being a veteran, active, or reserve member of any branch of the Armed Forces of the United States. The term "Armed Forces" shall include the United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, the reserve components thereof, the Air National Guard, and Army National Guard.
(h) As used in this Section source of income discrimination shall include refusal to cooperate in the process of accepting section 8 housing choice voucher assistance or payments from other rental assistance programs, including but not limited to refusal to cooperate in housing quality standards inspections by the housing authority.
(Ord. 498-18/490-20. Passed 12-15-20.)