Utah Code § 57-21 § 57-21-2
Definitions.
Operative Text
Definitions. As used in this chapter: (1) "Affiliate" means the same as that term is defined in Section 16-6a-102. (2) "Aggrieved individual" means an individual who: (a) claims to have been injured by a discriminatory housing practice; or (b) believes that the individual will be injured by a discriminatory housing practice that is about to occur. (3) "Biological sex at birth" means the same as that term is defined in Section 26B-8-101. (4) "Commission" means the Labor Commission. (5) "Complainant" means an aggrieved individual, including the director, who commences a complaint with the division. (6) "Conciliation" means the attempted resolution of an issue raised in a complaint of discriminatory housing practices by the investigation of the complaint through informal negotiations involving the complainant, the respondent, and the division. (7) "Conciliation agreement" means a written agreement setting forth the resolution of the issues in conciliation. (8) "Conciliation conference" means the attempted resolution of an issue raised in a complaint or by the investigation of a complaint through informal negotiations involving the complainant, the respondent, and the division which is not subject to Title 63G, Chapter 4, Administrative Procedures Act. (9) "Covered multifamily dwelling" means: (a) a building consisting of four or more dwelling units if the building has one or more elevators; and (b) the ground floor units in other buildings consisting of four or more dwelling units. (10) "Director" means the director of the division or the director's designee. (11) (a) "Disability" means a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits an individual's major life activities, including an individual having a record of such an impairment or being regarded as having such an impairment. (b) "Disability" does not include current illegal use of, or addiction to, any federally controlled substance, as defined in Section 102 of the Controlled Substances Act, 21 U.S.C. Sec. 802. (12) "Discriminate" includes segregate or separate. (13) "Discriminatory housing practice" means an act that is unlawful under this chapter. (14) "Division" means the Division of Antidiscrimination and Labor established under the commission. (15) "Dwelling" means: (a) a building or structure, or a portion of a building or structure, occupied as, designed as, or intended for occupancy as a residence of one or more families; or (b) vacant land that is offered for sale or lease for the construction or location of a dwelling as described in Subsection (15)(a). (16) (a) "Familial status" means one or more individuals who have not attained the age of 18 years old being domiciled with: (i) a parent or another person having legal custody of the one or more individuals; or (ii) the designee of the parent or other person having custody, with the written permission of the parent or other person. (b) "Familial status" includes protections afforded against discrimination of an individual who: (i) is pregnant; (ii) is in the process of securing legal custody of any individual who has not attained the age of 18 years; or (iii) is a single individual. (17) "Gender identity" has the same meaning as provided in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5) which an individual may show by providing evidence, including: (a) medical history; (b) care or treatment of the gender identity; (c) consistent and uniform assertion of the gender identity; or (d) other evidence that the gender identity is sincerely held, part of the individual's core identity, and asserted for a proper purpose. (18) "National origin" means the place of birth of an individual or of any lineal ancestors. (19) "Presiding officer" has the same meaning as provided in Section 63G-4-103. (20) "Real estate broker or salesperson" means a principal broker, an associate broker, or a sales agent as those terms are defined in Section 61-2f-102. (21) "Respondent" means a person against which a complaint of housing discrimination is initiated. (22) "Sex" means gender and includes pregnancy, childbirth, and disabilities related to pregnancy or childbirth. (23) "Sexual orientation" means an individual's actual or perceived orientation as heterosexual, homosexual, or bisexual. (24) "Single-sex housing" means housing accommodations designated for occupancy exclusively by individuals of the same biological sex at birth, where residents share a bedroom or a bathroom. (25) "Source of income" means the verifiable condition of being a recipient of federal, state, or local assistance, including medical assistance, or of being a tenant receiving federal, state, or local subsidies, including rental assistance or rent supplements.
Utah Code Ann. § 57-21-2 establishes the foundational vocabulary for Utah's Fair Housing Act chapter, defining the key terms used throughout the law. It identifies protected characteristics—such as disability, familial status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, and source of income—and clarifies what counts as a 'dwelling,' a 'discriminatory housing practice,' and a 'covered multifamily dwelling.' The definitions also outline the roles of the parties and agencies involved in the complaint process, including the Division of Antidiscrimination and Labor and the Labor Commission.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under Utah Code Ann. § 57-21-2 should be familiar with the full list of defined terms, since these definitions govern how the rest of the chapter is interpreted and enforced. Compliant operators generally ensure their policies and practices do not treat individuals differently based on any of the characteristics defined here, including source of income, familial status, disability, and sexual orientation. Understanding what qualifies as a 'dwelling' or 'covered multifamily dwelling' under this section also helps operators determine which accessibility and anti-discrimination obligations apply to their specific properties.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Utah Code Ann. § 57-21-2 defines the protected classes and key concepts that underpin housing discrimination claims in Utah, which means the definitions here directly shape whether a particular experience may qualify as a 'discriminatory housing practice' under the law. Individuals who believe they have been harmed—or are about to be harmed—by such a practice may qualify as an 'aggrieved individual' and may be eligible to file a complaint with the Division of Antidiscrimination and Labor. Tenant-rights organizations and legal aid resources can help individuals understand how these definitions apply to their circumstances and what complaint or conciliation processes may be available.
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 16, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References Out
Rules and statutes cited by this regulation
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation
Related Rules
Source Information
Use this in your app
Access this data programmatically via our API