Waterford, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 81 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 81-3
Discrimination in sale or rental of housing
Operative Text
Except as exempted by § 81-4 , it shall be unlawful within the Town of Waterford: A. To refuse to sell or rent after the making of a bona fide offer, or to refuse to negotiate for the sale or rental of, or otherwise make unavailable or deny, a dwelling to any person because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin. B. To discriminate against any person in the terms, conditions, or privileges of sale or rental of a dwelling, or in the provision of services or facilities in connection therewith, because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin. C. To make, print, or publish, or cause to be made, printed or published, any notice, statement, or advertisement with respect to the sale or rental of a dwelling that indicates any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, or an intention to make such preference, limitation, or discrimination. D. To represent to any person because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin that any dwelling is not available for inspection, sale, or rental when such dwelling is in fact so available. E. For profit, to induce or attempt to induce any person to sell or rent any dwelling by representations regarding the entry or prospective entry into the neighborhood of a person or persons of a particular race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin.
Waterford, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 81 § 81-3 prohibits a range of discriminatory practices in the sale and rental of housing within the Town of Waterford. Covered protected characteristics include race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, and national origin. The rule bars not only outright refusals to sell or rent, but also discriminatory terms, misleading statements about availability, biased advertising, and blockbusting—the practice of steering owners to sell by stoking fears about neighborhood demographic change. Exemptions described in § 81-4 apply to certain situations.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Waterford, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 81 § 81-3, compliant property owners and managers apply consistent, documented criteria when evaluating offers, setting lease terms, and communicating availability to all prospective buyers or renters regardless of protected characteristics. Advertising and listing language is reviewed to ensure it contains no stated or implied preferences based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin. Operators also avoid any representations—whether to current owners or prospective tenants—that reference neighborhood demographic changes as a reason to sell or rent.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 81-3 of Waterford's housing code gives residents grounds to challenge a wide variety of discriminatory acts, from a landlord's refusal to negotiate after a genuine offer to discriminatory advertising or false claims that a unit is unavailable. Tenants or prospective renters who believe they have experienced a violation may document the conduct and explore options such as filing a complaint with a relevant fair-housing agency or raising the violation through available local or state enforcement channels. Consulting a tenant-rights organization familiar with Waterford and New York State fair-housing law can help clarify which remedies may be available under § 81-3 and related provisions.
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 10, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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