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A. The Commission on Human Relations of the Division of Urban Affairs in the Department of Human Resources shall be authorized to preliminarily receive and investigate, in confidence, any and all complaints of violations of this article. Such complaints shall be made under oath, and the Commission shall have the power to hold private or public hearings on such complaints and take the testimony of persons under oath with the aid of their counsel. B. After such investigation is completed, the Commission shall recommend to the Director of Urban Affairs whether the complaint should be dismissed or prosecuted further by reference to an appropriate governmental agency. C. The reports of the hearing or hearings conducted by the Commission, inclusive of a sum...

[Adopted 9-21-1999, effective 10-4-1999; amended in its entirety 9-17-2002, effective 9-30-2002]

The following terms and words are applicable to this article and shall have the meaning and effect as follows:

CREED In addition to its ordinary meaning: religion or religious practice.

NATIONAL ORIGIN In addition to its ordinary meaning, means ancestry.

DISABILITY Physical, mental or medical impairment resulting from anatomical, physiological or neurological conditions which prevents the exercise of a normal bodily function or is demonstrable by medically accepted clinical or laboratory diagnostic techniques.

AGE Applies to persons 60 years of age or older.

SEXUAL ORIENTATION A person's actual or perceived homosexuality, heterosexuality, or bisexuality.

CIVIL RIGHTS A. Applying for or enjoying employment, or any prerequisite thereof; B. Applying for, enrolling in or attending any school or college; C. Applying for, using or occupying housing accommodations and commercial space; D. Using and enjoying the goods, services, facilities, privileges or advantages of any public accommodation as defined in state or federal law, and all public conveyances operated on land or water or in the air as well as the stations and terminals thereof; E. Using public streets, roads, highways, bridges, alleys, avenues, driveways, sidewalks, thoroughfares, boardwalks, parks and public spaces; F. Applying for, participating in or enjoying any benefit, service, privilege, program, facility or activity provided or ad...

GENDER IDENTITY AND EXPRESSION Includes a person's actual or perceived gender, as well as a person's gender identity, self-image, appearance, expression or behavior, whether or not that gender identity, self-image, appearance, expression or behavior is different from that traditionally associated with the person's sex at birth.

The Common Council of the City of Buffalo hereby finds that the declared policy of the City of Buffalo is to eliminate group prejudice, intolerance, bigotry and discrimination within the City and to encourage equality of treatment for, and prevent discrimination against, persons of all races, ethnic backgrounds, religions, genders, gender identity and expression, sexual preferences or disabilities, pursuant to the powers of the City of Buffalo to maintain order and preserve and care for the safety, health, comfort and general welfare of its inhabitants and visitors.

[Amended 10-13-2015] Any person who, with the intent to deprive an individual or group of individuals of the exercise of their civil rights because of the individual's or individuals' race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity and expression, disability, age, or sexual orientation, commits an unlawful discriminatory practice in violation of an individual's civil rights, or causes damage to the property of another or causes physical injury or death to another shall be liable, in a civil action or proceeding maintained by such individual or group of individuals for injunctive relief, damages, or any other appropriate relief in law or equity. In any such action or proceeding, the court, in its discretion, may allow the party commencing such a...

[Adopted 5-2-2006, effective 5-17-2006; amended in its entirety 6-24-2025]

It is the goal of the City of Buffalo to continue efforts to revitalize and strengthen its neighborhoods. The City finds it necessary to protect the rights of its citizens to equal access to housing, which will help prevent the decline in property values yet ensure housing choices for all residents.

As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

ADVERTISING Printing, circulating, placing or publishing or causing to be placed or published any written statement, including electronic media, with respect to the availability for sale or rent of housing or the listing of housing with any person, business or entity which maintains a referral list of available housing.

COMPLAINANT Means the person who files a complaint with the Fair Housing Officer.

DISABILITY A. A physical, mental or medical impairment resulting from anatomical, physiological, genetic or neurological conditions which prevents the exercise of a normal bodily function, which substantially limits one or more major life activities; or is demonstrable by medically accepted clinical or laboratory diagnostic techniques; or B. A record of having such an impairment; or a condition regarded by others as such an impairment; or an association with a person with such an impairment.

DWELLING Any building, structure, or portion thereof which is occupied as, or designed or intended for occupancy as, a residence by one 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, located within the City of Buffalo.

FAMILIAL STATUS Any person who is pregnant or has a child or is in the process of obtaining legal custody of an individual who has not attained the age of 18 years; or one or more individuals who have not attained the age of 18 years domiciled with a parent or another person having legal custody of such individual or the designee thereof.