Grand Rapids — Ch. 160 Discrimination in Real Property Transactions § 9.363
Definitions
Operative Text
For the purposes of this Chapter: (1) Real property includes buildings, structures, real estate, lands, tenements, leaseholds, interests in real estate cooperatives, condominiums, and hereditaments, corporeal and incorporeal, or any interest therein. (2) Real estate transaction includes the sale, exchange, rental or lease of real property. (3) Housing accommodation includes any improved or unimproved real property, or part thereof, which is used or occupied, or is intended, arranged or designed to be used or occupied, as the home or residence of one (1) or more individuals. (4) Real estate broker or salesperson means a person, 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 activities, or who negotiates or attempts to negotiate a loan secured or to be secured by mortgage or other encumbrance upon real property, or who is engaged in the business of listing real property in a publication; or a person employed by or acting on behalf of any of these. (5) Family means a person living alone, or two (2) or more persons customarily living together as a single housekeeping unit in a dwelling unit as distinguished from a group occupying a hotel, club, religious or institutional building, boarding or lodging house, or fraternity or sorority house. (6) Disabled or Disability status means with respect to a person: a. A physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one (1) or more of such person's major life activities; or b. A record of having such an impairment or being regarded as having such an impairment; or c. A disability, as defined in a. or b. above, if the handicap is one affecting a person residing in or using, or intending to reside in or use, the real property subject to this Chapter, or any person related to or associated with the person engaging in the real estate transaction. (7) Familial status means one (1) or more individuals (who have not attained the age of eighteen (18) years) being domiciled with: a. A parent or another person having legal custody of such individual or individuals; or b. The designee or such parent or other person having such custody, with the written permission of such parent or other person. c. The protections afforded against discrimination on the basis of familial status shall apply to any person who is pregnant or is in the process of securing legal custody of any individual who had not attained the age of eighteen (18) years. (8) Elderly means a person who is at least sixty-two (62) years of age. (9) Source of lawful income means consistent income derived from wages, social security, supplemental security income, all forms of Federal, State or local assistance payments or subsidies, Section 8 assistance, child support, alimony and public assistance which can be verified and substantiated.
Grand Rapids Chapter 160, § 9.363 establishes the foundational vocabulary used throughout the city's anti-discrimination rules for real property transactions. It defines key terms such as 'real property,' 'housing accommodation,' 'familial status,' 'disability,' and 'source of lawful income,' among others, so that the protections and prohibitions in the rest of the chapter apply consistently. For example, 'source of lawful income' is defined broadly to include wages, public assistance, Section 8 subsidies, child support, and alimony, while 'familial status' covers households with minors, pregnant individuals, and those in the process of obtaining legal custody.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under Grand Rapids Ch. 160 § 9.363 should be familiar with these definitions because they determine the scope of who and what is covered by the chapter's anti-discrimination requirements. A compliant operator generally applies the broad definition of 'real estate transaction'—which covers sales, exchanges, rentals, and leases—and recognizes that 'source of lawful income' encompasses a wide range of income types, including housing subsidies and public assistance. Understanding that 'real estate broker or salesperson' includes unlicensed individuals acting on behalf of a property owner helps operators ensure that anyone representing them in a transaction is also acting in accordance with the chapter.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Grand Rapids Ch. 160 § 9.363 sets out definitions that determine whether a person or situation falls within the chapter's anti-discrimination protections. Tenants should be aware that 'disability,' 'familial status,' and 'source of lawful income' are each defined broadly—meaning protections may extend to people with a record of impairment, households expecting a child, and renters who rely on Section 8 or other assistance programs. Those who believe they have experienced discrimination in a housing transaction may consider contacting a local tenant-rights organization or the appropriate municipal authority to understand how these definitions apply to their circumstances.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 13, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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