[R.O. 2007 § 230.010; Ord. No. 2331 § 1, 7-27-1995]
The Board of Aldermen of the City of St. Peters, Missouri, hereby declares it to be the public policy of the City to eliminate discrimination and safeguard the right of any person to see, purchase, lease, rent or obtain real property without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, ancestry, religion or disability, and without regard to familial status. This Article shall be deemed an exercise of the Police powers of the City of St. Peters, Missouri, for the protection of the public welfare, prosperity, health, and peace of the people of St. Peters, Missouri.
A. 
The purposes of this Chapter are:
1. 
To secure for all individuals within the City freedom from any discriminatory practice made unlawful by Article II of this Chapter.
2. 
To implement within the City the policies embodied in Missouri and Federal human rights legislation and to promote cooperation between the City and the State and Federal agencies enforcing that legislation.
For the purposes of this Chapter, the following terms shall be deemed to have the meanings indicated below:
BECAUSE or BECAUSE OF
As it relates to the adverse decision or action, the protected criterion which was the motivating factor.
COMMISSION
The Missouri Commission on Human Rights.
COMPLAINANT
A person who has filed a complaint with the Commission alleging that another person has engaged in a prohibited discriminatory practice.
DISABILITY
A physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one (1) or more of a person's major life activities, being regarded as having such an impairment, or a record of having such an impairment, which with or without reasonable accommodation does not interfere with performing the job, utilizing the place of public accommodation, or occupying the dwelling in question. For purposes of this Chapter, the term "disability" does not include current, illegal use of or addiction to a controlled substance as such term is defined by Section 195.010, RSMo.; however, a person may be considered to have a disability if that person:
1. 
Has successfully completed a supervised drug rehabilitation program and is no longer engaging in the illegal use of, and is not currently addicted to, a controlled substance or has otherwise been rehabilitated successfully and is no longer engaging in such use and is not currently addicted;
2. 
Is participating in a supervised rehabilitation program and is no longer engaging in illegal use of controlled substances; or
3. 
Is erroneously regarded as currently illegally using, or being addicted to, a controlled substance.
DISCRIMINATION
Conduct proscribed herein, taken because of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, or age as it relates to employment, disability or familial status as it relates to housing.
DWELLING
Any building, structure or portion thereof which is occupied as, or designed or intended for occupancy as, a residence by one (1) or more families, and any vacant land which is offered for sale or lease for the construction or location thereon of any such building, structure or portion thereof.
FAMILIAL STATUS
1. 
One (1) or more individuals who have not attained the age of eighteen (18) years being domiciled with:
a. 
A parent or another person having legal custody of such individual; or
b. 
The designee of such parent or other person having such custody, with the written permission of such parent or other person.
2. 
The protection afforded against discrimination because of familial status shall apply to any person who is pregnant or is in the process of securing legal custody of any individual who has not attained the age of eighteen (18) years.
HOUSING FOR OLDER PERSONS
1. 
Housing:
a. 
Provided under any State or Federal program that the Commission determines is specifically designed and operated to assist elderly persons, as defined in the State or Federal program;
b. 
Intended for, and solely occupied by, persons sixty-two (62) years of age or older; or
c. 
Intended and operated for occupancy by at least one (1) person fifty-five (55) years of age or older per unit.
2. 
Housing qualifies as housing for older persons under this Chapter if:
a. 
The housing has significant facilities and services specifically designed to meet the physical or social needs of older persons, or if the provision of such facilities and services is not practicable, that such housing is necessary to provide important housing opportunities for older persons; and
b. 
At least eighty percent (80%) of the units are occupied by at least one (1) person fifty-five (55) years of age or older per unit; and
c. 
The owner or manager of the housing has published and adhered to policies and procedures which demonstrate an intent by said owner or manager to provide housing for persons fifty-five (55) years of age or older.
PERSON
Includes one (1) or more individuals, corporations, partnerships, associations, organizations, labor organizations, legal representatives, mutual companies, joint-stock companies, trusts, trustees, trustees in bankruptcy, receivers, fiduciaries or other organized groups of persons.
PLACES OF PUBLIC ACCOMMODATION
All places or businesses offering or holding out to the general public goods, services, privileges, facilities, advantages or accommodations for the peace, comfort, health, welfare and safety of the general public or such public places providing food, shelter, recreation and amusement, including, but not limited to:
1. 
Any inn, hotel, motel or other establishment which provides lodging to transient guests, other than an establishment located within a building which contains not more than five (5) rooms for rent or hire and which is actually occupied by the proprietor of such establishment as his/her residence;
2. 
Any restaurant, cafeteria, lunchroom, lunch counter, soda fountain or other facility principally engaged in selling food for consumption on the premises, including, but not limited to, any such facility located on the premises of any retail establishment;
3. 
Any gasoline station, including all facilities located on the premises of such gasoline station and made available to the patrons thereof;
4. 
Any motion-picture house, theater, concert hall, sports arena, stadium or other place of exhibition or entertainment;
5. 
Any public facility owned, operated or managed by or on behalf of this State or any agency or subdivision thereof, or any public corporation; and any such facility supported in whole or in part by public funds;
6. 
Any establishment which is physically located within the premises of any establishment otherwise covered by this Section or within the premises of which is physically located any such covered establishment, and which holds itself out as serving patrons of such covered establishment.
RENT
Includes to lease, to sublease, to let and otherwise to grant for consideration the right to occupy premises not owned by the occupant.
RESPONDENT
A person who is alleged to have engaged in a prohibited discriminatory practice in a complaint filed with the Commission.
UNLAWFUL DISCRIMINATORY PRACTICE
Any act that is unlawful under this Chapter.
A. 
It shall be an unlawful housing practice:
1. 
To refuse to sell or rent after the making of a bona fide offer, to refuse to negotiate for the sale or rental of, to deny or otherwise make unavailable a dwelling to any person because of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, disability or familial status.
2. 
To discriminate against any person in the terms, conditions or privileges of sale or rental of a dwelling, or in the provision of services or facilities in connection therewith, because of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, disability or familial status.
3. 
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 that indicates any preference, limitation or discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, disability or familial status, or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.
4. 
To represent to any person because of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, disability or familial status that any dwelling is not available for inspection, sale or rental when such dwelling is in fact so available.
5. 
To induce or attempt to induce any person to sell or rent any dwelling by representations regarding the entry or prospective entry into the neighborhood of a person or persons because of a particular race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, disability or familial status.
6. 
To discriminate in the sale or rental, or to otherwise make unavailable or deny, a dwelling to any buyer or renter because of a disability of:
a. 
That buyer or renter;
b. 
A person residing in or intending to reside in that dwelling after it is so sold, rented or made available; or
c. 
Any person associated with that buyer or renter.
7. 
To discriminate against any person in the terms, conditions or privileges of sale or rental of a dwelling, or in the provision of services or facilities in connection with such dwelling, because of a disability of:
a. 
That person;
b. 
A person residing in or intending to reside in that dwelling after it is so sold, rented or made available; or
c. 
Any person associated with that person.
B. 
For purposes of Sections 225.040, 225.050, and 225.060, "discrimination" includes:
1. 
A refusal to permit, at the expense of the person with the disability, reasonable modifications of existing premises occupied or to be occupied by such person if such modifications may be necessary to afford such person full enjoyment of the premises, except that, in the case of a rental, the landlord may, where it is reasonable to do so, condition permission for a modification on the renter's agreeing to restore the interior of the premises to the condition that existed before the modification, reasonable wear and tear excepted;
2. 
A refusal to make reasonable accommodations in rules, policies, practices or services when such accommodations may be necessary to afford such person equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling; or
3. 
In connection with the design and construction of covered multifamily dwellings for first occupancy after March 13, 1991, a failure to design and construct those dwellings in such a manner that:
a. 
The public use and common use portions of such dwellings are readily accessible to and usable by persons with a disability;
b. 
All the doors designed to allow passage into and within all premises within such dwellings are sufficiently wide to allow passage by persons with a disability in wheelchairs; and
c. 
All premises within such dwellings contain the following features of adaptive design:
(1) 
An accessible route into and through the dwelling;
(2) 
Light switches, electrical outlets, thermostats and other environmental controls in accessible locations;
(3) 
Reinforcements in bathroom walls to allow later installation of grab bars; and
(4) 
Usable kitchens and bathrooms such that an individual in a wheelchair can maneuver about the space.
C. 
As used in Subsection (B)(3) of this Section, the term "covered multifamily dwelling" means:
1. 
Buildings consisting of four (4) or more units if such buildings have one (1) or more elevators; and
2. 
Ground floor units in other buildings consisting of four (4) or more units.
D. 
Compliance with the appropriate requirements of the American National Standard for Buildings and Facilities providing accessibility and usability for people with physical disabilities, commonly cited as "ANSI A117.1," suffices to satisfy the requirements of Subsection (B)(3)(a) of this Section.
It shall be unlawful for any bank, building and loan association, insurance company or other corporation, association, firm or enterprise whose business consists in whole or in part in the making of commercial real estate loans to deny a loan or other financial assistance because of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, disability or familial status to a person applying therefor for the purpose of purchasing, construction, improving, repairing or maintaining a dwelling, or to discriminate against him/her in fixing of the amount, interest rate, duration or other terms or conditions of such loan or other financial assistance because of the race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, disability or familial status of such person or of any person associated with him/her in connection with such loan or other financial assistance, or of the present or prospective owners, lessees, tenants or occupants of the dwellings in relation to which such loan or other financial assistance is to be made or given.
It shall be unlawful to deny any person access to or membership or participation in any multiple listing service, real estate brokers' organization or other service organization or facility relating to the business of selling or renting dwellings because of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, disability or familial status.
A. 
All persons within the City of St. Peters are free and equal and shall be entitled to the full and equal use and enjoyment within this State of any place of public accommodation, as hereinafter defined, without discrimination or segregation because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, ancestry or disability.
B. 
It is an unlawful discriminatory practice for any person, directly or indirectly, to refuse, withhold from or deny any other person or to attempt to refuse, withhold from or deny any other person any of the accommodations, advantages, facilities, services or privileges made available in any place of public accommodation, as defined in Section 225.030 and this Section, or to segregate or discriminate against any such person in the use thereof because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, ancestry or disability.
C. 
The provisions of this Section shall not apply to a private club, a place of accommodation owned by or operated on behalf of a religious corporation, association or society or other establishment which is not in fact open to the public, unless the facilities of such establishments are made available to the customers or patrons of a place of public accommodation as defined in Section 225.030 and this Section.
A. 
It shall be an unlawful discriminatory practice:
1. 
To aid, abet, incite, compel or coerce the commission of acts prohibited under this Chapter or to attempt to do so;
2. 
To retaliate or discriminate in any manner against any other person because such person has opposed any practice prohibited by this Chapter or because such person has filed a complaint, testified, assisted or participated in any manner in any investigation, proceeding or hearing conducted pursuant to this Chapter;
3. 
For the City to discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, ancestry, age, as it relates to employment, disability or familial status as it relates to housing; or
4. 
To discriminate in any manner against any other person because of such person's association with any person protected by this Chapter.
A. 
Nothing in this Chapter shall be construed to invalidate or limit any law of the State or of the City that requires dwellings to be designed and constructed in a manner that affords persons with disabilities greater access than is required by this Chapter.
B. 
Nothing in Sections 225.040, 225.050 and 225.060:
1. 
Requires that a dwelling be made available to an individual whose tenancy would constitute a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals or whose tenancy would result in substantial physical damage to the property of others.
2. 
Limits the applicability of any reasonable local restriction regarding the maximum number of occupants permitted to occupy a dwelling, nor does any provision of said Sections regarding familial status apply with respect to housing for older persons.
3. 
Shall prohibit conduct against a person because such person has been convicted by any court of competent jurisdiction of the illegal manufacture or distribution of a controlled substance, as defined by Section 195.010, RSMo.
C. 
Nothing in this Chapter shall prohibit a religious organization, association or society or any non-profit institution or organization operated, supervised or controlled by or in conjunction with a religious organization, association or society from limiting the sale, rental or occupancy of dwellings which it owns or operates for other than a commercial purpose to persons of the same religion, or from giving preference to such persons, unless membership in such religion is restricted on account of race, color or national origin. Nor shall anything in this Chapter prohibit a private club not in fact open to the public, which as an incident to its primary purpose or purposes provides lodging which it owns or operates for other than a commercial purpose, from limiting the rental or occupancy of such lodging to its members or from giving preference to its members.
D. 
Nothing in this Chapter, other than the prohibitions against discriminatory advertising in Subsection (A)(3) of Section 225.040, shall apply to:
1. 
The sale or rental of any single-family house by a private individual owner, provided the following conditions are met:
a. 
The private individual owner does not own or have any interest in more than three (3) single-family houses at any one time; and
b. 
The house is sold or rented without the use of a real estate broker, agent or salesperson or the facilities of any person in the business of selling or renting dwellings and without publication, posting or mailing of any advertisement. If the owner selling the house does not reside in it at the time of the sale or was not the most recent resident of the house prior to such sale, the exemption in this Section applies to only one (1) such sale in any twenty-four (24) month period.
2. 
Rooms or units in dwellings containing living quarters occupied or intended to be occupied by no more than four (4) families living independently of each other, if the owner actually maintains and occupies one (1) of such living quarters as his/her residence.
[Ord. No. 5956 § 1, 7-25-2013]
A. 
Purpose.
1. 
This Section implements the policy of the City of St. Peters on requests for reasonable accommodation in its rules, policies and procedures for persons with disabilities as required by the Fair Housing Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C. Section 3604(f)(3)(B) and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 12132. The policy of the City of St. Peters is to comply fully with the provisions of the Fair Housing Act and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
2. 
Any person with disabilities and eligible under the Fair Housing Act or Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act may request a reasonable accommodation with respect to the various land use or zoning laws, rules, policies, practices and/or procedures of the City as provided by the Fair Housing Act and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act pursuant to the procedures set out in this Section.
3. 
Nothing in this Section requires persons with disabilities or operators of group homes for persons with disabilities acting or operating in accordance with applicable zoning, licensing or land use laws or practices to seek reasonable accommodation under this Section.
B. 
Definitions. For the purposes of this Section, certain terms and words are hereby defined as follows:
ACTS
Collectively, the FHA and the ADA.
ADA
Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. § 12131 et seq., and its implementing regulations, 28 CFR Part 35.
APPLICANT
An individual, group or entity making a request for reasonable accommodation pursuant to this Section.
CODE
The St. Peters City Code.
DEPARTMENT
The Planning Department of the City of St. Peters.
DISABLED PERSON
Any person who is "handicapped" within the meaning of 42 U.S.C. Section 3602(h) or a "qualified individual with a disability" within the meaning of 42 U.S.C. Section 12131(2).
DWELLING
A "dwelling" as defined in 42 U.S.C. Section 3602(b).
FHA
The Fair Housing Act, Title III of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, as amended by the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988, 42 U.S.C. Sections 3601 et seq., as may be amended.
C. 
Notice To The Public Of Availability Of Accommodation Process. The department shall prominently display a notice at the counter in the department advising those with disabilities or their representatives that they may request a reasonable accommodation in accordance with the procedures established in this Section.
D. 
Requesting Reasonable Accommodation. In order to make specific housing available to one (1) or more individuals with disabilities, a disabled person or a person acting on his or her behalf at his or her request (collectively, the "applicant") may request a reasonable accommodation relating to the various land use or zoning rules, policies, practices and/or procedure of the City applicable to such housing.
1. 
A request by an applicant for reasonable accommodation relating to land use or zoning rules, policies, practices and/or procedures shall be made orally or in writing on a reasonable accommodation request form provided by the department. The form shall contain:
a. 
The current zoning for the property;
b. 
The name, phone number and address of the owner of the fee interest of the property (if other than the applicant);
c. 
The nature of the disability that requires the reasonable accommodation. In the event that the specific individuals who are expected to reside at the property are not known to the applicant in advance of making the application, the applicant shall not be precluded from filing the application, but shall submit details describing the range of disabilities that prospective residents are expected to have to qualify for the housing. The applicant shall notify the department, in the event the residents at the location are not within the range described. The department shall then determine if an amended application and subsequent determination of reasonable accommodation is appropriate;
d. 
The specific type of accommodation requested by the applicant. To the extent practicable, this portion should include information concerning the impact of the reasonable accommodation on the adjoining properties and area, the number of people who are expected to be availing themselves of the reasonable accommodation, the estimated number of people in an average week who will be necessary to provide services to the person(s) with disabilities at the property on an on-going basis, whether or not this type of reasonable accommodation is required to obtain a license from any State or County authority to operate, and any other information the applicant thinks would assist in determining the reasonableness of the accommodation;
e. 
The applicant should also note, if known, whether this accommodation requires any additional licensure from the City (e.g., business license); and
f. 
Whether the accommodation requested may be necessary to afford one (1) or more disabled persons equal opportunity to use and enjoy a specific dwelling.
The department will assist the applicant with furnishing the department all information necessary for processing the reasonable accommodation request, including that information which the department deems necessary to complete a reasonable accommodation request form. Upon the City's receipt of the necessary information to process the applicant's request for reasonable accommodation, the department shall use the information to complete a reasonable accommodation request form.
2. 
The department will provide the assistance necessary to an applicant in making a request for reasonable accommodation. The department will provide the assistance necessary to any applicant wishing to appeal a denial of a request for reasonable accommodation to ensure the process is accessible to the applicant. The applicant is entitled to be represented at all stages of the proceedings identified in this Section by a person designated by the applicant.
3. 
Should the information provided by the applicant to the department include medical information or records of the applicant, including records indicating the medical condition, diagnosis or medical history of the applicant, the applicant may, at the time of submitting such medical information, request that the department, to the extent allowed by law, treat such medical information as confidential information of the applicant.
4. 
The department shall provide written notice to the applicant, and any person designated by the applicant to represent the applicant in the application proceeding, of any request received by the department for disclosure of the medical information or documentation which the applicant has previously requested be treated as confidential by the department. The department will cooperate with the applicant, to the extent allowed by law, in actions initiated by the applicant to oppose the disclosure of such medical information or documentation.
E. 
Jurisdiction.
1. 
Director/designee. The director of the department, or his/her designee ("director/designee"), shall have the authority to consider and act on requests for reasonable accommodation. When a request for reasonable accommodation is filed with the department, it will be referred to the director/designee for review and consideration. The director/designee shall issue a written determination within thirty (30) days of the date of receipt of a completed application and may:
a. 
Grant the accommodation request, or
b. 
Deny the request, in accordance with Federal law.
Any such denial shall be in writing and shall state the grounds therefor. All written determinations shall give notice of the right to appeal and the right to request reasonable accommodation in the appeals process. The notice of determination shall be sent to the applicant by certified mail, return receipt requested and by regular mail.
2. 
If reasonably necessary to reach a determination on the request for reasonable accommodation, the director/designee may, prior to the end of said thirty (30) day period, request additional information from the applicant, specifying in detail what information is required. The applicant shall have fifteen (15) days after the date of the request for additional information to provide the requested information. In the event a request for additional information is made, the thirty (30) day period to issue a written determination shall be stayed. The director shall issue a written determination within thirty (30) days after receipt of the additional information. If the applicant fails to provide the requested additional information within said fifteen (15) day period, the director shall issue a written determination within thirty (30) days after expiration of said fifteen (15) day period.
F. 
Findings For Reasonable Accommodation. The following findings, while not exhaustive of all considerations and findings that may be relevant, must be made before any action is taken to approve or deny a request for reasonable accommodation and must be incorporated into the record relating to such approval or denial:
1. 
Whether the accommodation requested may be necessary to afford one (1) or more persons with disabilities equal opportunity to use and enjoy a specific dwelling;
2. 
Whether the requested accommodation would require a fundamental alteration to the City's zoning scheme; and
3. 
Whether the requested accommodation would impose undue financial or administrative burdens on the City.
A request for a reasonable accommodation shall not be denied for reasons which violate the provisions of the Acts. This ordinance does not obligate the City to grant any accommodation request unless required by the provisions of the Acts or applicable Missouri State law.
G. 
Appeals.
1. 
Within thirty (30) days after the date the director/designee mails a written adverse determination, under Subsection (E) of this Section, to the applicant, the applicant requesting reasonable accommodation may appeal the adverse determination.
2. 
All appeals shall contain a statement of the grounds for the appeal.
3. 
If an individual applicant needs assistance in appealing a determination, the department will provide the assistance necessary to ensure that the appeal process is accessible to the applicant. All applicants are entitled to be represented at all stages of the appeal proceeding by a person designated by the applicant.
4. 
Appeals shall be to the Board of Adjustment who shall hear the matter and render a determination as soon as reasonably practicable, but in no event later than forty-five (45) days after an appeal has been filed. All determinations on appeal shall address and be based upon the findings identified in Subsection (F) of this Section and shall be consistent with the acts.
5. 
An applicant may request reasonable accommodation in the procedure by which an appeal will be conducted.
H. 
Fee. The City shall not impose any additional fees or costs in connection with a request for reasonable accommodation under the provisions of this Section or an appeal of a denial of such request by the director/designee. Nothing in this Section obligates the City to pay an applicant's attorney fees.
I. 
Stay Of Enforcement. While an application for reasonable accommodation or appeal of a denial of said application is pending before the City, the City will not enforce the subject zoning ordinance against the applicant.
J. 
Recordkeeping. The City shall maintain records of all oral and written requests submitted under the provisions of this Section, and the City's responses thereto, as required by State law.