Mount Carmel — Ch. 8½ Discrimination § 8½-15
Selected definitions
Operative Text
Commission: The human relations commission of this municipality (or any other agency designated by the city council to administer this article). Dwelling: Any building or portion thereof containing one or more dwelling units, or any parcel of land offered for sale or lease for the construction or placement of such building. Dwelling unit: One or more rooms designed or used as living quarters by one family. Financial institution: Any bank, savings and loan association, insurance company, or any other person or firm whose business consists, in whole or in part, of making or guaranteeing loans. Housing: Synonym for "dwelling." Person: Any individual, firm, association, organization, or corporate body acting in any capacity. Rent: To lease, sublease, let or otherwise grant or receive for consideration the right to occupy any dwelling not owned by the occupant.
Section 8½-15 of Mount Carmel's anti-discrimination chapter establishes the foundational vocabulary used throughout the article. It defines key terms such as "dwelling," "dwelling unit," "financial institution," "person," and "rent" to set the scope of who and what is covered by the municipality's housing discrimination rules. The Human Relations Commission—or any agency the city council designates—is identified as the body responsible for administering the article.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 8½-15, property owners and managers should understand that the definitions here determine whether their properties and business activities fall within the scope of Mount Carmel's discrimination ordinance. Because "dwelling" includes any building or portion thereof with one or more units, as well as land offered for sale or lease for construction, a wide range of rental and sales activity is covered. Operators who lease, sublease, or otherwise grant occupancy rights for consideration are engaging in "rent" as defined by this section, meaning the full article's requirements apply to them.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 8½-15 establishes the definitions that shape the protections available to people living in or seeking housing in Mount Carmel. Because "person" is defined broadly to include individuals and organizations, and "dwelling unit" covers any space designed or used as living quarters by one family, most residential renters fall within the article's protections. Tenants who believe their rights under this chapter have been violated may consider reaching out to the Human Relations Commission—the body named in § 8½-15 as the administrator of this article—or a local tenant-rights organization for general information about 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.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
No inbound references recorded yet for this provision.