Morris — Ch. 22 Human Relations and Social Services § 22-20
Definitions
Operative Text
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning: Decent, sanitary, healthful standard living quarters means housing which is in a sound, clean and weathertight condition in conformance with applicable local, state and national codes. Discriminate or discrimination means any difference expressed in any way toward a person in the terms of the sale, exchange, lease, rental or financing for housing accommodation and/or real property in regard to such sale, exchange, rental, lease or finance because of race, color, religion, sex, creed, ancestry, national origin, or physical or mental disability of such person. Financial institution means any person, institution or business entity of any kind which loans money to persons and receives as security for said loans a secured interest of any kind in the real property of the borrower. Housing accommodation means and includes any building, structure, or portion thereof which is used or occupied, maintained, arranged or designed to be used or occupied as a home, residence or sleeping place of one or more human beings, or any real estate so used, designed or intended for such use. Owner means any persons who hold legal or equitable title to or owns any beneficial interest in any real property or who hold legal or equitable title to shares of or hold any beneficial interest in any real estate cooperative which owns any real property and/or housing accommodations. Real estate broker means any person, partnership, association, corporation and/or agent thereof, who for a fee or other valuable consideration offers, sells, purchases, exchanges or rents, or negotiates for the sale, purchase, exchange or rental of a housing accommodation and/or real property of another, or collects rental for the use of a housing accommodation and/or real property of another. Real property means any real estate, vacant land, building, structure or housing accommodations within the corporate limits of the city.
Morris Ch. 22 § 22-20 establishes the foundational vocabulary used throughout the city's human relations and social services article. It defines key terms—such as 'housing accommodation,' 'discrimination,' 'owner,' and 'real estate broker'—so that the same words carry consistent legal meaning wherever they appear in the article. The definitions cover a broad range of housing-related actors and properties, including buildings, cooperatives, financial institutions, and vacant land within Morris city limits.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating in Morris should be familiar with the definitions set out in § 22-20, as these terms shape how the rest of the human relations article applies to their properties and conduct. The definition of 'owner' is notably broad, encompassing those who hold legal or equitable title as well as beneficial interests, including cooperative shareholders. Understanding how 'housing accommodation' and 'real property' are defined under this section helps operators recognize which of their holdings fall within the article's scope.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section § 22-20 of Morris Ch. 22 defines 'discrimination' to include any difference in treatment related to the sale, rental, lease, or financing of housing based on characteristics such as race, religion, sex, national origin, or physical or mental disability. Tenants who believe they have experienced such differential treatment in connection with a housing accommodation as defined here may have grounds to raise a violation under the broader article. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with Morris's human relations ordinance can help individuals understand how these definitions apply to their circumstances and what complaint or enforcement paths may be available.
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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