Grand Rapids — Ch. 160 Discrimination in Real Property Transactions § 9.369
Elderly Housing
Operative Text
It shall not be unlawful for a property owner to give preference to elderly persons in the rental of housing accommodation(s) when the proposed rental accommodation(s) is located in a building which contains housing accommodations for more than one (1) family and all rental units will be occupied by elderly persons.
Under Grand Rapids Ch. 160 § 9.369, a specific exception to the city's general anti-discrimination rules in real property transactions applies to certain housing developments. When a multi-family building is intended to be occupied entirely by elderly persons, a property owner is permitted to give preference to elderly applicants in renting units there. This carve-out means that favoring elderly tenants in such a setting does not constitute unlawful discrimination under the ordinance.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Grand Rapids Ch. 160 § 9.369 provides property owners operating all-elderly multi-family buildings with a recognized exception to the ordinance's broader non-discrimination requirements. Compliant operators of such buildings typically document that every rental unit in the building is designated for and occupied by elderly persons, ensuring the preference policy aligns with the statutory conditions. Maintaining clear records of the building's occupancy composition helps demonstrate that any age-based preference falls within this lawful exception.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Grand Rapids Ch. 160 § 9.369 establishes that elderly-preference policies are lawful only in multi-family buildings where all units are occupied by elderly persons. Tenants who believe a landlord is improperly invoking this exception—for example, in a building that is not exclusively elderly-occupied—may have grounds to raise a fair housing concern under the broader Chapter 160 framework. Tenant-rights organizations and the city's relevant administrative offices can provide information about how to pursue a complaint if the conditions of this exception do not appear to be met.
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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