Cal. Civ. Code § 910-2-2-5
Discriminatory advertisements, statements, and notices
Operative Text
Sec. 5. (a) It shall be unlawful 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 which indicates any preference, limitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, or an intention to make any such preference, limitation, or discrimination. (b) The prohibition in this section shall apply to all written or oral notices or statements by a person engaged in the sale or rental of a dwelling. Written notices and statements include any applications, flyers, brochures, deeds, signs, banners, posters, billboards, or documents used with respect to the sale or rental of a dwelling. (c) Discriminatory notices, statements, and advertisements include, but are not limited to, the following: (1) Using words, phrases, photographs, illustrations, symbols, or forms which convey that dwellings are available or not available to a particular group of persons because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin. (2) Expressing to agents, brokers, employees, prospective sellers, renters, or any other person a preference for or limitation on any purchaser or renter because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin. (3) Selecting media or locations for advertising the sale or rental of a dwelling which denies particular segments of the housing market information about housing opportunities because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin. (4) Refusing to publish advertising for the sale or rental of a dwelling or requiring a different charge or term for such advertising because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin. (d) 910 IAC 2-7 provides information to assist a person in advertising a dwelling in a nondiscriminatory manner and describes matters the ICRC will review in evaluating compliance with IC 22-9.5 and in investigating complaints alleging discriminatory housing practices involving advertising.
Under 910 IAC 2 § 910-2-2-5, it is unlawful for anyone involved in the sale or rental of a dwelling to produce, distribute, or publish any notice, statement, or advertisement—written or oral—that signals a preference for or against prospective buyers or renters based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin. The prohibition is broad, covering everything from application forms and flyers to billboards and verbal statements to agents or brokers. Even indirect signals—such as choosing advertising outlets that systematically exclude certain demographic groups—can constitute a violation under this rule.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under 910 IAC 2 § 910-2-2-5 generally ensure that all marketing materials—including online listings, signage, flyers, and application forms—use neutral language and imagery that does not suggest any group is preferred or excluded. Compliant operators also review their choice of advertising channels to confirm that no segment of the housing market is systematically denied access to information about available units. The Indiana Civil Rights Commission (ICRC) offers guidance through 910 IAC 2-7 to help operators structure advertising practices that meet the nondiscrimination standards set out in IC 22-9.5.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
910 IAC 2 § 910-2-2-5 protects prospective renters from discriminatory messaging at every stage of the housing search, including ads, application materials, and verbal statements made by landlords or their agents. If a tenant encounters advertising or statements that appear to signal a preference or limitation based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, that conduct may constitute a fair housing violation subject to review by the Indiana Civil Rights Commission (ICRC). Individuals who believe they have encountered such discrimination can explore filing a complaint with the ICRC or consulting a tenant-rights organization familiar with Indiana fair housing law.
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 15, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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