Chapter 9.45
PROHIBITING DISCRIMINATION AGAINST FAMILIES IN THE RENTAL OR LEASING OF PROPERTY
Sections:
9.45.010 “Housing accommodation” defined.
9.45.030 Establishment of rentals.
9.45.040 Requirements of financial obligations not prohibited.
9.45.010 “Housing accommodation” defined.
“Housing accommodation” means a residential rental unit consisting of one or more rooms in which cooking facilities are available. (Ord. 1531 § 1, 1983).
9.45.020 Prohibited activity.
It shall be unlawful for the owner, lessor, lessee, sublessee, real estate broker, assignee, or other person having the right of ownership, the right of possession, or the right to rent or lease any housing accommodation, or any agent or employee of such person to terminate any existing tenancy in such accommodations or refuse to rent to any persons solely because the person or persons holding or seeking such tenancy or right to possession has a minor child or children who shall occupy the leased or rented premises with such person. For the purposes of this chapter, the right to possession of such accommodations shall not be terminated solely by reason of the expiration of a lease for a term. (Ord. 1531 § 2, 1983).
9.45.030 Establishment of rentals.
Nothing in this chapter shall be construed in any manner to restrict or abridge the right of the owner or lessor of real property to establish rentals in accordance with law. In the event, however, that a tenancy of a person with a minor child or children is terminated and the premises are within 90 days thereafter leased or rented to a person without child or children and at a rental rate less than 110 percent of the evicted tenant’s rental rate, then it shall be rebuttably presumed that such new leasing or rental was made for the purpose of evading the provisions of this chapter. Evidence of the failure to offer the same terms of rental to the person whose tenancy is terminated for similar or like rental units shall be evidence of an intent to evade the provisions of this chapter. (Ord. 1531 § 3, 1983).
9.45.040 Requirements of financial obligations not prohibited.
This chapter shall not prohibit the person having the right to rent or lease the premises from requiring the same financial obligations of prospective tenants with minor children as he or she may require of prospective tenants without children. However, no discrimination in the amount or manner of payment of said financial obligation shall be permitted. (Ord. 1531 § 4, 1983).
9.45.050 Civil remedy.
Any person who willfully violates the provisions of this chapter shall be liable to each person injured by such violation for reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs as determined by the court, plus the amount of actual damages, plus a civil penalty not to exceed $500.00. Any person aggrieved by any violation of this chapter may enforce the civil remedy herein provided in any court of competent jurisdiction. (Ord. 1531 § 5, 1983).