Somerville Code of Ordinances ch. 7, art. III § 7-43
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 City of Somerville Fair Housing Commission, its agents and employees. Discriminate includes designing, promoting, implementing or carrying out any policy, practice or act which by design or effect segregates, separates, distinguishes or has a disproportionate impact according to 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. Handicap means any condition or characteristic that renders a person a handicapped person as defined in Title 45, Subtitle 84.3(j) of the Code of Federal Regulations. Housing accommodation includes any building or structure or portion thereof or any parcel of land, developed or undeveloped, which is occupied or to be developed for occupancy as the home, residence or commercial business for one or more persons. Person includes one or more individuals, partnerships, associations, corporations, legal representatives, trustees, trustees in bankruptcy, receivers, and the city and all boards, commissions, offices and agencies thereof. (Code 1963, § 17-3; Ord. No. 2023-12 , 5-25-2023 ) Cross reference(s) - Definitions and rules of construction, § 1-4 .
Somerville Code of Ordinances ch. 7, art. III § 7-43 establishes the working definitions for key terms used throughout Somerville's fair housing article. Notably, 'discriminate' is defined broadly to cover not only intentional acts but also policies or practices that produce a disproportionate impact based on characteristics such as race, source of income, family structure, or sexual preference. 'Housing accommodation' is defined expansively to include virtually any building, structure, or parcel of land used or intended for residential or commercial occupancy, and 'person' encompasses a wide range of legal entities, including the city itself.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating in Somerville should be aware that the definitions in Somerville Code of Ordinances ch. 7, art. III § 7-43 set the interpretive foundation for the entire fair housing article. Because 'discriminate' explicitly covers policies that have a disproportionate impact—not just intentional bias—compliant operators generally review their screening criteria, advertising practices, and lease terms to ensure they do not produce disparate outcomes across any of the protected characteristics listed. Understanding that 'housing accommodation' covers a broad range of structures and that 'person' includes corporate entities means these definitions apply to a wide variety of rental operations in Somerville.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants in Somerville benefit from knowing that the definitions in Somerville Code of Ordinances ch. 7, art. III § 7-43 underpin all of the fair housing protections in this article. Because 'discriminate' includes policies that have a disproportionate impact—not just overt, intentional acts—tenants who believe a landlord's practice has harmed them based on a protected characteristic such as source of income or family structure may have grounds to raise a concern. General enforcement paths can include filing a complaint with the City of Somerville Fair Housing Commission, raising a violation as a defense in a housing proceeding, or consulting a local tenant-rights organization for guidance.
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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