It is the policy of the Council to provide, within constitutional limitations,
for fair housing throughout the City of Oconto Falls.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
DISCRIMINATORY HOUSING PRACTICE
A.
To refuse to sell or rent, after making a bona fide offer, or to refuse
to negotiate for the sale or rental of or make unavailable or deny a dwelling
to any person because of race, national origin, ancestry, color, religion,
sex, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, lawful source of income,
disability, or age.
B.
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, national origin, ancestry, color,
religion, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, lawful source
of income, disability, or age.
C.
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
based on race, national origin, ancestry, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation,
marital status, family status, lawful source of income, disability, or age.
D.
To represent to any person because of race, national origin, ancestry,
color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, lawful
source of income, disability, or age that any dwelling is not available for
inspection, sale or rental when such dwelling is, in fact, so available.
E.
For any bank, building and loan association, insurance company or other
corporation, association, firm or enterprise whose business consists in the
making of commercial real estate loans to deny a loan or other financial assistance
to a person applying therefor for the purpose of purchasing, constructing,
improving or maintaining a dwelling or to discriminate against him in the
fixing of the amount, interest rate, duration, or terms or conditions of such
loan or other financial assistance because of race, national origin, ancestry,
color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, lawful
source of income, disability, or age of such person or persons.
F.
To deny any person access to or membership or participation in any multiple-listing
service, real estate broker's organization or other service organization or
facility relating to the business of selling or renting dwellings or to discriminate
against such person in terms or conditions of such access, membership or participation
on account of race, national origin, ancestry, color, religion, sex, sexual
orientation, marital status, family status, lawful source of income, disability,
or age.
DWELLING
Any building, structure, or portion thereof which is occupied as,
or designed for occupancy as, a residence by one or more families and any
vacant land which is offered for sale or lease for the construction thereon
of any such building or structure.
FAMILY
Includes one or more individuals, corporations, partnerships, associations,
labor organizations, legal representatives, mutual companies, joint-stock
companies, trusts, unincorporated organizations, trustees, trustees in bankruptcy
and receivers.
PERSON
Includes a single individual.
TO RENT
Includes to lease, sublease, to let and otherwise grant for a consideration
the right to occupy premises not owned by the occupant.
Whenever the Commission is unable to eliminate or correct an alleged
discriminatory housing practice by informal means, it may request the City
Attorney to commence and prosecute a civil action to enforce the provisions
of this chapter. The City Attorney may bring civil action in Circuit Court
by filing with the Court a complaint setting forth the facts and requesting
such preventive relief, including an application for a temporary or permanent
injunction, restraining order or such other order, as he deems necessary to
ensure the full enjoyment of the rights granted by this chapter.