Centralia — Ch. 10 Human Rights § 10-16
Definitions
Operative Text
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning: Commission means the zoning board of appeals of the city. Discriminate or discrimination means to differentiate in treatment between individuals or groups of individuals on the basis of color, sex, geographical or national ancestry or origin, race, or religion, or any combination thereof, or on the friends or associates of an individual or group of individuals. Housing accommodation includes any building, structure or portion thereof which is used or occupied or is maintained, arranged or designed to be used or occupied as a home, residence or sleeping place of one or more human beings. Real estate agent means any licensed real estate broker, any licensed real estate salesman, or any person who as an employee or agent or otherwise engages in the management or operation of any real property. Real property means any real estate, vacant land, building or structure within the city limits. Unlawful housing practice means the commission of any act prohibited by this article.
Section 10-16 of Centralia's Chapter 10 on Human Rights establishes the working definitions that govern the rest of the article's fair-housing rules. Key terms include 'discrimination,' which covers differential treatment based on color, sex, national origin, race, religion, or association with protected individuals or groups; 'housing accommodation,' which broadly covers any building or space designed or used for human habitation; and 'unlawful housing practice,' which refers to any act the article prohibits. These definitions set the interpretive foundation for all rights and obligations described elsewhere in the article.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating within Centralia's city limits should be aware that under § 10-16, the definitions in Chapter 10 apply broadly — 'real estate agent' includes employees and agents involved in property management, and 'real property' covers all land and structures within city limits. A compliant operator ensures that anyone acting on their behalf in leasing or managing units understands that differential treatment based on race, color, sex, national origin, religion, or a person's associations falls within the article's definition of discrimination. Familiarity with these foundational definitions helps operators recognize which conduct may constitute an 'unlawful housing practice' under the broader article.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under § 10-16 of Centralia's Human Rights ordinance, 'housing accommodation' is defined broadly enough to cover virtually any space used as a home or sleeping place, meaning most renters are protected by the article's anti-discrimination provisions. The definition of 'discrimination' extends not only to a tenant's own protected characteristics — such as race, color, sex, or national origin — but also to their friends or associates, which is a notably broad protection. Tenants who believe they have experienced differential treatment in housing may wish to consult the Centralia zoning board of appeals, identified in § 10-16 as the 'Commission,' or reach out to a local tenant-rights organization to understand available options.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 10, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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