Burbank — Ch. 7½ Art. I In General (Housing and Human Rights) § 7½-4
Handicap
Operative Text
It is a civil rights violation to refuse to sell or rent or to otherwise make unavailable or deny a dwelling to any buyer or renter because of: (1) A handicap of that buyer or renter, a handicap of a person residing or intending to reside in that dwelling after it is sold, rented or made available or a handicap of any person associated with the buyer or renter. (2) To refuse to permit, at the expense of a handicapped person, 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 agreeing to restore the interior of the premises to the condition that existed before modifications, reasonable wear and tear excepted. The landlord may not increase for handicapped persons any customarily required security deposit. However, where it is necessary in order to ensure with reasonable certainty that funds will be available to pay for the restorations at the end of the tenancy, the landlord may negotiate as part of such a restoration agreement a provision requiring that the tenant pay into an interest bearing escrow account, over a reasonable period, a reasonable amount of money not to exceed the cost of the restorations. The interest in any such account shall accrue to the benefit of the tenant. A landlord may condition permission for a modification on the renter providing a reasonable description of the proposed modifications as well as reasonable assurances that the work will be done in a workmanlike manner and that any required building permits will be obtained. (3) To refuse 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. (4) To fail to design and construct covered multifamily dwellings in such a manner that the public use and common use portions of such dwellings are readily accessible to and usable by handicapped persons; all the doors designed to allow passage into and within all premises within such dwellings are sufficiently wide to allow passage by handicapped persons in wheelchairs; all premises within such dwellings shall feature an accessible route into and through the dwelling, utility controls in accessible locations, reinforcements in bathroom walls for the installation of grab bars and usable kitchens and bathrooms such that an individual in a wheelchair can maneuver about the space.
Burbank Ch. 7½ Art. I § 7½-4 establishes that refusing to sell or rent a dwelling to someone because of a handicap — whether the buyer's, renter's, a future resident's, or an associated person's — constitutes a civil rights violation. The provision also requires that landlords allow disabled occupants to make reasonable modifications at their own expense, though rental properties may include a restoration agreement for the interior. Additionally, housing providers must make reasonable accommodations in rules and policies, and newly constructed covered multifamily buildings must meet specific accessibility design standards, including wide doorways, accessible routes, and bathroom reinforcements for grab bars.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Burbank Ch. 7½ Art. I § 7½-4, compliant housing operators generally permit reasonable modifications requested by handicapped renters, provided the modifications are paid for by the tenant and accompanied by a reasonable description of the work, assurances of workmanlike completion, and confirmation that required permits will be obtained. When a restoration agreement is appropriate, operators typically establish an interest-bearing escrow account — rather than increasing the security deposit — to ensure funds are available for restoring the interior at the end of the tenancy, with accrued interest going to the tenant. Operators of covered multifamily dwellings also ensure that design and construction meet the accessibility standards outlined in § 7½-4, including accessible common areas, sufficiently wide doorways, and bathroom reinforcements.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Burbank Ch. 7½ Art. I § 7½-4 gives renters with handicaps the right to request reasonable modifications to their unit at their own expense and to seek reasonable accommodations in a landlord's rules or policies to ensure equal enjoyment of the dwelling. A landlord cannot raise your security deposit because of a handicap, though they may negotiate a separate restoration escrow arrangement under the conditions described in § 7½-4. Tenants who believe these rights have been violated may consider documenting the refusal or denial, contacting a local fair housing organization, or exploring a complaint through applicable civil rights enforcement channels.
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 10, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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