Cal. Civ. Code § 66.1011
Local equal opportunities.
Operative Text
66.1011 Local equal opportunities. (1) Declaration of policy. The right of all persons to have equal opportunities for housing regardless of their sex, race, color, disability, as defined in s. 106.50 (1m) (g), sexual orientation, as defined in s. 111.32 (13m), religion, national origin, marital status, family status, as defined in s. 106.50 (1m) (k), status as a victim of domestic abuse, sexual assault, or stalking, as defined in s. 106.50 (1m) (u), lawful source of income, age, or ancestry is a matter both of statewide concern under ss. 101.132 and 106.50 and also of local interest under this section and s. 66.0125. The enactment of ss. 101.132 and 106.50 by the legislature does not preempt the subject matter of equal opportunities in housing from consideration by political subdivisions, and does not exempt political subdivisions from their duty, nor deprive them of their right, to enact ordinances that prohibit discrimination in any type of housing solely on the basis of an individual being a member of a protected class. (1m) Definitions. In this section: (a) “Aggrieved person” has the meaning given in s. 106.50 (1m) (b). (b) “Complainant” has the meaning given in s. 106.50 (1m) (c). (c) “Discriminate” has the meaning given in s. 106.50 (1m) (h). (d) “Member of a protected class” has the meaning given in s. 106.50 (1m) (nm). (e) “Political subdivision” means a city, village, town or county. (2) Antidiscrimination housing ordinances. Political subdivisions may enact ordinances prohibiting discrimination in housing within their respective boundaries solely on the basis of an individual being a member of a protected class. An ordinance may be similar to ss. 101.132 and 106.50 or may be more inclusive in its terms or in respect to the different types of housing subject to its provisions. An ordinance establishing a forfeiture as a penalty for violation may not be for an amount that is less than the statutory forfeitures under s. 106.50 (6) (h). An ordinance may permit a complainant, aggrieved person or respondent to elect to remove the action to circuit court after a finding has been made that there is reasonable cause to believe that a violation of the ordinance has occurred. An ordinance may authorize the political subdivision, at any time after a complaint has been filed alleging an ordinance violation, to file a complaint in circuit court seeking a temporary injunction or restraining order pending final disposition of the complaint. (3) Contingency restriction. No political subdivision may enact an ordinance under sub. (2) that contains a provision making its effective date or the operation of any of its provisions contingent on the enactment of an ordinance on the same or similar subject matter by one or more other political subdivisions.
Wisconsin Statute § 66.1011 establishes that equal housing opportunity — free from discrimination based on characteristics such as race, sex, disability, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, marital status, family status, domestic-abuse victim status, lawful source of income, age, or ancestry — is both a statewide and a local concern. The statute expressly authorizes cities, villages, towns, and counties to enact their own anti-discrimination housing ordinances, which may mirror or go beyond the protections in state law. Any local ordinance that imposes a forfeiture penalty must set that penalty at or above the minimum amounts established under the state fair housing statute, and local ordinances cannot be made contingent on other jurisdictions passing similar laws.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Wis. Stat. § 66.1011, property owners and managers operating in Wisconsin must comply not only with state fair housing law but also with any local anti-discrimination ordinance enacted by the city, village, town, or county where their properties are located. Because local ordinances may cover additional protected classes or housing types beyond those in state law, compliant operators typically review the specific ordinances of each jurisdiction where they operate. Local ordinances may authorize injunctive relief in circuit court even while a complaint is still pending, so operators generally maintain consistent, documented non-discriminatory practices across all stages of the rental process.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Wis. Stat. § 66.1011 means that tenants in Wisconsin may have fair housing protections beyond those found in state law, depending on the city, village, town, or county where they live, since local governments are permitted to enact broader anti-discrimination ordinances. If a tenant believes they have experienced housing discrimination, they may have the option to pursue a complaint through a local enforcement process, and some local ordinances allow a case to be moved to circuit court after a finding of reasonable cause. Tenants seeking to understand which protections apply to them can consult their local government's housing office, a tenant-rights organization, or a legal aid provider familiar with both state and local ordinances.
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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