New Haven, Conn., Code of Ordinances ch. 12½, art. III § 12½-42

Definitions

In Force
Verified 11/11/2026 · Next check 12/11/2026
New HavenFair Housing & Anti-Discrimination

Operative Text

New Haven, Conn., Code of Ordinances ch. 12½, art. III § 12½-42
(a) Minor child means any person less than eighteen (18) years of age.
(b) Elderly person means any person who has attained the age of sixty (60) or more years.
(c) Lessor means the owner, real estate broker, assignee or other person having the right of ownership, the right of possession or the right to rent or lease any housing accommodation, or any agent or employee of such person.
(d) Dwelling means any building, structure, mobile manufactured home park or portion thereof which is occupied as, or designed or intended for occupancy as, a residency 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, mobile manufactured home park or portion thereof.
(e) Family includes a single individual.
(f) Person includes one (1) or more individuals, corporations, partnerships, associations, labor organizations, legal representatives, mutual companies, joint-stock companies, trusts, unincorporated organizations, trustees, receivers and fiduciaries.
(g) To ren t includes to lease, to sublease, to let and otherwise to grant for a consideration the right to occupy premises not owned by the occupant.
(h) Disability means, with respect to a person:
(1) A physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one (1) or more of such person's major life activities;
(2) A record of having such an impairment; or
(3) Being regarded as having such an impairment, but such term does not include current, illegal use of or addiction to a controlled substance.
(i) Aggrieved person includes any person who:
(1) Claims to have been injured by a discriminatory housing practice; or
(2) Believes that such person will be injured by a discriminatory housing practice that is about to occur.
(j) Complainant means the person (including the executive director) who files a complaint under section 12 ½-6.
(k) Familial status means one (1) or more individuals who have not attained the age of eighteen (18) years being domiciled with:
(1) A parent or other person having legal custody of such individual or individuals; or
(2) The designee of such parent or other person having such custody, with the written permission of such parent or other person; or
(3) 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. The protection afforded against discrimination on the basis 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.
(l) Conciliation means the attempted resolution of issues raised by complaint, or by the investigation of such complaint, through informal negotiation involving the aggrieved person, the respondent, and the chairperson.
(m) Conciliation agreement means a written agreement setting forth the resolution of the issues in conciliation.
(n) Respondent means:
(1) The person or other entity accused in a complaint of an unfair housing practice; and
(2) Any other person or entity identified in the course of investigation and notified as required with respect to respondents so identified under section 12 ½-6(a).
(o) Residential real estate-related transaction means:
(1) The making or purchasing of loans or providing other financial assistance for purchasing, constructing, improving, repairing or maintaining a dwelling or secured by residential real estate; or
(2) The selling, brokering or appraising of residential real property.
Source: Legislative text reproduced verbatim
Plain English

Section 12½-42 of the New Haven Code of Ordinances establishes the foundational vocabulary used throughout Article III's fair housing framework. It defines key terms — such as 'dwelling,' 'lessor,' 'familial status,' 'disability,' and 'aggrieved person' — that determine who is covered by the ordinance and what transactions fall within its scope. These definitions shape how every other provision in the article is interpreted and applied, including who may file a complaint and who may be named as a respondent.

Written by anthropic/claude-sonnet-4.6 · Reviewed on November 11, 2026

Plain English — not legal advice.

For Property Managers

Under § 12½-42, the term 'lessor' is defined broadly to include not just property owners but also brokers, assignees, agents, and employees — meaning fair housing obligations under Article III extend to a wide range of people involved in managing or renting housing. Operators who understand that 'familial status' covers households with children under 18, pregnant individuals, and those seeking legal custody are better positioned to apply consistent, non-discriminatory practices across their portfolio. Reviewing these definitions helps property managers identify which transactions and which prospective residents fall within the ordinance's protections.

General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.

For Tenants

Section 12½-42 defines 'aggrieved person' to include anyone who believes they have been or are about to be harmed by a discriminatory housing practice, which establishes a broad basis for bringing a complaint under the New Haven fair housing framework. The definition of 'disability' in this section encompasses not only documented impairments but also having a record of one or being regarded as having one, which may be relevant to understanding the scope of protection available. Tenants who believe they may qualify as an aggrieved person under § 12½-42 can explore options such as filing a complaint under § 12½-6 or reaching out to a local tenant-rights organization for general information about the process.

General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.

Generated November 11, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.

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