Somerville Code of Ordinances ch. 7, art. III § 7-41
Fair housing policy
Operative Text
It is hereby declared to be the public policy of the city that each individual regardless of race, color, creed, religion, sex, handicap , children, marital status, family or relationship structure , sexual preference, source of income, military status, age, ancestry and/or national origin shall have equal access to housing accommodations , facilities, services and financial aid, and to encourage and bring about mutual understanding and respect among all individuals in the city by the elimination of prejudice and discrimination in the area of housing. (Code 1963, § 17-1; Ord. No. 2023-12 , 5-25-2023 )
Somerville Code of Ordinances ch. 7, art. III § 7-41 establishes the city's foundational fair housing policy, declaring that every person has an equal right to access housing, related facilities, services, and financial aid regardless of characteristics such as race, religion, sex, disability, family structure, source of income, age, or national origin, among others. The provision frames the elimination of housing discrimination and prejudice as an explicit goal of city government. It sets the overarching values that guide the more specific anti-discrimination rules found elsewhere in Article III.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Somerville Code of Ordinances ch. 7, art. III § 7-41, operators of housing accommodations in Somerville generally conduct their rental and sales practices in a manner consistent with the city's declared policy of equal access for all protected classes. Compliant operators typically apply uniform standards across advertising, screening, and leasing without regard to characteristics like source of income, family or relationship structure, or military status. Familiarity with this policy provision helps property managers understand the broad scope of protected characteristics that the city's fair housing framework is designed to cover.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Somerville Code of Ordinances ch. 7, art. III § 7-41 affirms that residents have a right to equal access to housing regardless of a wide range of personal characteristics, including source of income, marital status, family structure, and sexual preference. Tenants who believe they have encountered discriminatory treatment in housing may consider raising this provision when engaging with Somerville's local enforcement processes, filing a complaint with a relevant fair housing agency, or reaching out to a tenant-rights organization familiar with local ordinances. Understanding this policy section can help tenants identify the protected characteristics that the city's broader fair housing rules are intended to safeguard.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 13, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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