Rosendale, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 36A (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 36A-2
Definitions
Operative Text
When used herein, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated: DISCRIMINATION or DISCRIMINATORY HOUSING PRACTICE Any difference in treatment based upon race, color, religion, sex, or national origin; or any act that is unlawful under this chapter. FINANCIAL INSTITUTION Includes any person, as defined herein, engaged in the business of lending money or guaranteeing losses. HOUSING ACCOMMODATION or DWELLING Any building, mobile home or trailer, structure, or portion thereof which is occupied as or designed or intended for occupancy as a residence by one or more families, and any vacant land which is offered for sale or lease for the construction or location thereon of any such building, mobile home or trailer, structure, or portion thereof or any real property, as defined herein, used or intended to be used for any of the purposes set forth in this subsection. MORTGAGE BROKER An individual who is engaged in or who performs the business or services of a mortgage broker as the same are defined by New York State statutes. OPEN MARKET The market which is informed of the availability for sale, purchase, rental or lease of any housing accommodation, whether informed through a real estate broker or by advertising by publication, signs or by any other advertising methods directed to the public or any portion thereof, indicating that the property is available for sale, purchase, rental or lease. OWNER Includes a lessee, sublessee, cotenant, assignee, managing agent or other person having the right of ownership or possession, or the right to sell, rent or lease any housing accommodation. PERSON Includes individuals, children, firms, associations, joint ventures, partnerships, estates, trusts, business trusts, syndicates, fiduciaries, corporations and all other groups or combinations. REAL ESTATE BROKER or REAL ESTATE SALESPERSON Includes any individual, qualified by law, who, for a fee, commission, salary or for other valuable consideration, or who with the intention or expectation of receiving or collecting same, lists, sells, purchases, rents, or leases any housing accommodations, including options thereupon, or who negotiates or attempts to negotiate such activities; or who advertises or holds himself out as engaged in such activities; or who negotiates or attempts to negotiate a loan, secured by a mortgage or other encumbrance, upon transfer of any housing accommodation; or who is engaged in the business of charging an advance fee or contracting for collection of a fee in connection with a contract whereby he undertakes to promote the sale, purchase, rental or lease of any housing accommodation through its listing in a publication issued primarily for such purpose; or an individual employed by or acting on behalf of any of these. REAL PROPERTY Includes buildings, structures, lands, tenements, leaseholds, cooperatives and condominiums.
Section 36A-2 of Rosendale, N.Y., Code of Ordinances Chapter 36A establishes the foundational vocabulary for the town's fair housing rules. It defines key terms — including 'discrimination,' 'housing accommodation,' 'owner,' 'person,' 'real estate broker,' and others — that govern how the rest of the chapter is interpreted and applied. These definitions are intentionally broad; for example, 'owner' extends beyond titleholders to include lessees, managing agents, and others with rights of possession or sale, and 'person' covers a wide range of individuals and legal entities.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners, managers, and anyone else who falls within the broad definition of 'owner' under § 36A-2 should be aware that Rosendale's fair housing chapter applies to a wide range of actors and transactions. Because 'discrimination' is defined to include any difference in treatment based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, operators generally ensure that their rental, sale, and leasing practices are applied uniformly across all applicants. Understanding these definitions helps clarify which activities and entities are covered by the chapter's substantive requirements.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants in Rosendale benefit from the broad scope established by the definitions in § 36A-2, which extend fair housing protections across a wide range of housing types and actors — including not just property owners but also managing agents, lessees, and others with control over housing accommodations. If a tenant believes they have experienced differential treatment based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, the definitions in this section help clarify that such conduct may constitute a 'discriminatory housing practice' under the chapter. Tenants who believe their rights may have been affected can explore options such as filing a complaint with a relevant fair housing agency or consulting a tenant-rights organization familiar with Rosendale's local ordinances.
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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