Volo — Title 6 Ch. 5 Discrimination in Housing § 6-5-2
Definitions
Operative Text
Unless a different meaning clearly appears from the context, the following terms, as used in this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed in this section: Decent, Sanitary, Healthful Standard Living Quarters: Housing which is in sound, clean, and weathertight condition in conformance with applicable local, state, and national Codes. Discriminate; Discrimination: Any difference expressed in any way toward a person or persons in the terms of the sale, exchange, lease, rental or financing for housing accommodation and/or real property in regard to such sale, exchange, rental, lease or finance because of race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, creed, physical or mental handicap, age, marital status, military status, familial status, sexual orientation and unfavorable discharge from the military of such person. Financial Institution: Any person, institution or business entity of any kind which loans money to persons and receives as security for said loans a secured interest of any kind in the real property of the borrower. Housing Accommodation: Any building, structure, or portion thereof which is used or occupied, maintained, arranged or designed to be used or occupied as a home, residence or sleeping place of one (1) or more human beings, or any real estate so used, designed or intended for such use. Owner: Any person/persons who hold legal or equitable title to, or own any beneficial interest in any real property or who hold legal or equitable title to shares of, or hold any beneficial interest in, any real estate cooperative which owns any real property and/or housing accommodations. Real Estate Broker: Any person, partnership, association, corporation and/or agent thereof who, for a fee or other valuable consideration, offers, sells, purchases, exchanges or rents, or negotiates for the sale, purchase, exchange or rental of a housing accommodation and/or real property of another, or collects rental for the use of a housing accommodation and/or real property of another. Real Property: Any real estate, vacant land, building, structure or housing accommodations within the corporate limits of the Village.
Section 6-5-2 of Volo's Title 6, Chapter 5 establishes the working definitions that govern the entire anti-discrimination-in-housing chapter. Key terms—including 'Discrimination,' 'Housing Accommodation,' 'Owner,' 'Real Estate Broker,' and 'Real Property'—are given specific meanings that apply whenever those words appear throughout the chapter. Notably, the definition of 'Discrimination' covers differences in treatment across a broad range of protected characteristics, including race, religion, sex, age, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, and military status, among others, in the context of sales, rentals, leases, exchanges, and financing.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating within Volo should be familiar with the definitions set out in § 6-5-2, because those definitions determine the scope of obligations and prohibitions throughout Chapter 5. The term 'Owner' is defined broadly to include those holding legal or equitable title as well as beneficial interests, meaning a wide range of ownership arrangements fall under the chapter's requirements. Compliant operators generally ensure that their practices in renting, leasing, or selling housing accommodations do not treat any person differently on the basis of the protected characteristics enumerated in the 'Discrimination' definition.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 6-5-2 provides the foundational definitions that shape what counts as unlawful discrimination under Volo's housing chapter, and understanding these terms helps tenants recognize when a situation may fall within the chapter's protections. The definition of 'Discrimination' is broad, covering differential treatment in rentals, leases, and financing based on characteristics such as race, sex, age, familial status, sexual orientation, and military discharge status, among others. Tenants who believe they have experienced treatment that fits within these definitions may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid resource to understand what options the chapter makes available.
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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