Tampico — Title 5 Ch. 5.16 Fair Housing Policy § 5.16.010
Definitions
Operative Text
For the purpose of this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meaning respectively assigned to them: "Familial status": One or more individuals, (who have not attained the age of eighteen years), being domiciled with: A. A parent or other person having legal custody of such individual or individuals; or B. The designee of such parent or other person having such custody, with the written permission of such parent or other person. The protection afforded by this chapter against discrimination on the basis of familial status applies to 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. "Housing accommodations": Includes any improved or unimproved real property, or part thereof, which is used or occupied, or is maintained, arranged or designed to be used or occupied, as the home or residence of one or more individuals. "Lending institution": Any bank, insurance company, savings and loan association, other person in the business of lending money or guaranteeing loans, any person in the business of obtaining, arranging or negotiating loans or guarantees as agent or broker, and any person in the business of buying loans or instruments for the payment of money which are secured by title to or a security interest in real property, but shall not included any religious institution or organization nor any charitable or educational organization operated, supervised or controlled by a religious institution or organization. "Owner": Any person who holds legal or equitable title to, or owns any beneficial interest in, any real property or who holds legal or equitable title to shares of, or holds any beneficial interest in, any real estate cooperative which owns any real property. "Real estate broker or salesman:" A person or entity, whether licensed or not, who, for or with the expectation of receiving a consideration, lists, sells, purchases, exchanges, rents, or leases real property, or who negotiates or attempts to negotiate any of these activities, or who holds himself or herself out as engaged in these. "Real estate transaction:" Includes the sale , exchange, rental, lease or sublease of real property and also includes the brokering or appraising of real property to be used or used as a housing accommodation and the making or purchasing of loans or providing other financial assistance; A. For purchasing, constructing, improving, repairing or maintaining a dwelling; or B. Secured by residential real estate. "Real property:" Includes buildings, structures, real estate, lands, tenements, leaseholds, interest in real estate cooperatives, condominiums, and hereditament, corporeal and incorporeal, or any interest therein intended to be used or used as a housing accommodation. "Sale:" Includes any contract to sell, exchange, convey, transfer or assign legal or equitable title to or beneficial interest in real property. "Solicitation:" Any conduct designed or intended to induce the owner of any real property to sell, rent, exchange, convey, transfer or list for sale or rental such real property.
Section 5.16.010 of Tampico's Fair Housing Policy establishes the foundational vocabulary used throughout Chapter 5.16. It defines key terms such as "familial status," "housing accommodations," "owner," "real estate transaction," and others to set the precise scope of who and what is covered by the chapter's fair housing protections. Notably, "familial status" extends protection not only to households with minor children but also to pregnant individuals and those in the process of obtaining legal custody of a minor. These definitions determine how the chapter's anti-discrimination rules are applied across sales, rentals, lending, and brokerage activities.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under Tampico Title 5, Chapter 5.16 should be familiar with the definitions in § 5.16.010, as they establish the boundaries of who qualifies as an "owner," what constitutes a "housing accommodation," and which transactions fall under the chapter's coverage. Because "familial status" explicitly includes pregnant individuals and those pursuing legal custody of minors, compliant operators treat these groups with the same consideration as any other prospective or current resident. Understanding these definitions helps ensure that screening, leasing, and communication practices align with the full scope of the chapter's protections.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 5.16.010 of Tampico's fair housing ordinance defines the terms that underpin all of the protections in Chapter 5.16, including who is covered under "familial status" — a category that includes not just households with children under 18, but also pregnant individuals and those in the process of gaining legal custody of a minor. Tenants who believe they have been treated differently in a rental, sale, or financing situation may find that these definitions are relevant to whether their experience falls within the chapter's scope. Those seeking to understand their rights or explore potential violations can consult local tenant-rights organizations or housing agencies familiar with Tampico's fair housing framework.
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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