Brookhaven, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 21A (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 21A-4
Prohibited acts; nonapplicability
Operative Text
No person or agent acting on his own behalf or on behalf of another shall: A. Refuse to sell, rent or lease any housing accommodation or land to any person or group of persons or refuse to negotiate for the sale, rental or lease of any housing accommodation or land to any person or group of persons because of race, creed, color or national origin of such person or persons or represent that any housing accommodation or land is not available for inspection, sale, rental or lease when in fact it is so available or otherwise deny or withhold any housing accommodation or land or any facilities of any housing accommodation or land from any person or group of persons because of the race, creed, color or national origin of such person or persons. B. Discriminate against any person because of his race, creed, color, ancestry or national origin in the terms, conditions or privileges of the sale, rental or lease of any housing accommodations or in the furnishing of facilities or services in connection therewith. C. Print or circulate or cause to be printed or circulated any statement, advertisement or publication or use any form or application for the purchase, rental or lease of any housing accommodation or land or make any record of inquiry in connection with the prospective purchase, rental or lease of any housing accommodation or land which expresses, directly or indirectly, any limitation, specification or discrimination as to race, creed, color or national origin or any intent to make such limitation, specification or discrimination. D. The provisions of this section shall not apply to: (1) The rental of a housing accommodation in a building which contains housing accommodations for not more than two families living independently of each other if the owner or members of his family reside in one of such housing accommodations. (2) The rental of a room or rooms in a housing accommodation of not more than four individuals at any one time if such rental is by the occupant of the housing accommodation or by the owner of the housing accommodation and he or members of his family reside in such housing accommodation.
Brookhaven, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 21A § 21A-4 prohibits any person or their agent from refusing to sell, rent, or lease housing or land based on race, creed, color, ancestry, or national origin. It also bars discriminatory terms or conditions in housing transactions and forbids publishing or circulating any advertisement or application that expresses such limitations. Two narrow exemptions exist: owner-occupied two-family buildings and owner-occupied dwellings where the owner rents rooms to no more than four individuals at a time are not covered by this section.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Brookhaven, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 21A § 21A-4, compliant property owners and managers apply consistent, non-discriminatory criteria when advertising, showing, and negotiating housing accommodations. This means ensuring that all marketing materials, rental applications, and inquiry records are free of any language that signals preferences or limitations based on race, creed, color, ancestry, or national origin. Operators who believe their property may qualify for one of the section's two owner-occupancy exemptions typically document their occupancy status carefully, as the exemptions are narrowly defined.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Brookhaven, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 21A § 21A-4 gives prospective and current tenants the right to be free from discrimination in the sale, rental, or lease of housing based on race, creed, color, ancestry, or national origin. If a tenant or applicant believes a landlord has violated this provision—for example, by misrepresenting availability or imposing discriminatory terms—general enforcement paths can include filing a complaint with a local or state fair housing agency or consulting a tenant-rights organization familiar with Brookhaven's ordinances. Tenants should be aware that the two owner-occupancy exemptions in this section may limit its reach in certain small, owner-occupied properties.
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 9, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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