Cal. Civ. Code § DWD 220.02
Definitions.
Operative Text
DWD 220.02 Definitions. In addition to those terms defined in s. 106.50, Stats., the following are definitions for terms used in this chapter: (1) “Act” means s. 106.50, Stats., unless the context requires otherwise. (2) “Administrative law judge” means the examiner appointed to conduct hearings under s. 106.50, Stats. (3) “Conciliation agreement” means a written agreement setting forth the resolution of the issues in conciliation. (4) “Day”, when used in time computations in this chapter, means a calendar day, except that if the last day of the time period is a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, the last day shall be the next business day. (5) “Department” means the department of workforce development. (6) “Division” means the equal rights division of the department. (7) “Filing” means the physical receipt of a document at any division office. (8) “Lawful source of income” includes, but is not limited to, lawful compensation or lawful remuneration in exchange for goods or services provided; profit from financial investments; any negotiable draft, coupon or voucher representing monetary value such as food stamps; social security; public assistance; unemployment compensation or worker’s compensation payments. (9) “Licensing or chartering agencies” means those regulatory agencies established under state law to license persons to perform activities which are covered by the act. (10) “Person” includes, but is not limited to, one or more individuals, partnerships, associations, corporations, joint-stock companies, trusts, unincorporated organizations, legal representatives, trustees, or trustees or receivers in bankruptcy. (11) “Probable cause” means a reasonable ground for belief, supported by facts and circumstances strong enough in themselves to warrant a prudent person to believe, that discrimination probably has been or is being committed. In making a determination of probable cause, the department shall consider whether the facts concerning the alleged discrimination are sufficient to warrant the initiation of a civil action. (12) “Reasonable cause,” when used in s. 106.50 (6m) (d), Stats., means probable cause, as defined in sub. (11). (13) “Receipt of service” means either the date that a document is delivered by certified mail or the date that the division is notified by the U.S. postal service that it was unable to deliver the document by certified mail. (14) “Test” means a simulation of any transaction covered by the act for the purpose of comparing the responses given by persons such as landlords, sellers of real estate, and lenders of money for real estate to individuals such as renters or buyers of real estate or borrowers of money for real estate, to determine whether housing discrimination as defined under s. 106.50 (2), (2m) or (2r), Stats., is being or has been committed.
Wisconsin Administrative Code § DWD 220.02 establishes the working vocabulary for the state's fair housing enforcement rules administered under Wis. Stat. § 106.50. Key terms defined include 'lawful source of income,' which broadly covers wages, investment income, food stamps, Social Security, public assistance, unemployment compensation, and workers' compensation. The section also clarifies procedural concepts such as how 'filing' and 'receipt of service' are measured, and defines 'probable cause' as a reasonable, fact-supported belief that housing discrimination has likely occurred. These definitions govern how complaints are interpreted, processed, and resolved throughout the chapter.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § DWD 220.02, property owners and managers operating in Wisconsin should be aware that 'lawful source of income' is defined broadly to include not just wages but also public assistance, Social Security, food stamps, and similar benefits. Compliant operators generally do not screen out prospective tenants solely because their income derives from these sources, since such conduct may constitute discrimination under the Act (Wis. Stat. § 106.50). Familiarity with the procedural definitions in § DWD 220.02—such as how 'filing' and 'receipt of service' are calculated—can also help operators understand the timelines that apply if a complaint is ever filed against them.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Wisconsin Administrative Code § DWD 220.02 defines the terms that shape how fair housing complaints are handled by the Equal Rights Division of the Department of Workforce Development. Notably, the broad definition of 'lawful source of income' means that tenants whose income comes from sources like Social Security, public assistance, or unemployment compensation may have protections against landlords who refuse to rent on that basis. Tenants who believe they have experienced such discrimination can file a complaint with the Equal Rights Division, and the definitions of 'probable cause' in § DWD 220.02(11) and procedural terms like 'filing' and 'receipt of service' will govern how that complaint is evaluated; consulting a tenant-rights organization can help in understanding these processes.
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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