W. Va. Code § 16B-17 § 16B-17-2
Declaration of policy.
Operative Text
It is the public policy of the State of West Virginia to provide all of its citizens equal opportunity for employment, equal access to places of public accommodations, and equal opportunity in the sale, purchase, lease, rental and financing of housing accommodations or real property. Equal opportunity in the areas of employment and public accommodations is hereby declared to be a human right or civil right of all persons without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, blindness, or disability. Equal opportunity in housing accommodations or real property is hereby declared to be a human right or civil right of all persons without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, blindness, disability, or familial status. The denial of these rights to properly qualified persons by reason of race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, blindness, disability, or familial status is contrary to the principles of freedom and equality of opportunity and is destructive to a free and democratic society.
West Virginia Code § 16B-17-2 establishes the state's foundational public policy that all persons have an equal right to buy, sell, lease, rent, and finance housing without discrimination based on race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, blindness, disability, or familial status. The provision frames equal housing opportunity as a human right and civil right, not merely a regulatory preference. Denying these rights on any of the listed bases is declared contrary to the principles of freedom and equality that underpin a democratic society.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Section § 16B-17-2 of the West Virginia Human Rights Act sets the overarching policy framework within which all housing transactions in the state operate. Operators who comply with this policy generally apply consistent, non-discriminatory criteria across all aspects of renting, selling, and financing — covering protected classes that include race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, blindness, disability, and familial status. Understanding this declaration helps property owners recognize that subsequent, more specific provisions in Chapter 16B, Article 17 flow from these foundational civil-rights commitments.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under § 16B-17-2, West Virginia law recognizes equal access to housing as a fundamental human right for all persons, regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, blindness, disability, or familial status. If a tenant believes this policy has been violated in a rental or housing transaction, general enforcement paths include filing a complaint with the West Virginia Human Rights Commission or consulting a tenant-rights or civil-rights organization familiar with state law. This declaration of policy also provides important context for understanding the specific protections and remedies found elsewhere in Chapter 16B, Article 17.
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 26, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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