Trenton — Ch. 20 Human Relations and Social Services § 20-20
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 is housing which is in sound, clean, and weather tight 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 or real property in regard to such sale, exchange, rental, lease or finance because of race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, creed or 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 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 person who holds 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 or housing accommodations. Real estate broker means any person, partnership, association, corporation 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 or real property of another or collects rental for the use of housing accommodation 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.
Section 20-20 of Trenton's Chapter 20 establishes the foundational vocabulary used throughout the city's human relations and fair housing article. It defines key terms — including 'discrimination,' 'housing accommodation,' 'owner,' 'real estate broker,' and 'real property' — so that the rules applying to the sale, rental, and financing of housing are interpreted consistently. Notably, the definition of discrimination under § 20-20 covers differences in treatment based on race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, creed, or disability across a broad range of housing transactions.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating within Trenton should be familiar with the definitions set out in § 20-20, because these terms govern how the rest of the human relations article applies to their activities. The definition of 'owner' in § 20-20 is broad, encompassing those who hold legal title, equitable title, or a beneficial interest — meaning a wide range of ownership arrangements fall within the article's scope. Operators who understand how 'housing accommodation' and 'real property' are defined here are better positioned to recognize which transactions and properties are covered by Trenton's anti-discrimination requirements.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants in Trenton benefit from understanding the definitions in § 20-20, because these terms set the boundaries of who and what is protected under the city's human relations article. The definition of 'discrimination' in § 20-20 is broad, covering differences in treatment during rental, lease, and financing transactions based on characteristics such as race, sex, disability, and religion, among others. Tenants who believe they have experienced unequal treatment in a housing transaction may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or local fair housing agency to understand how these definitions apply to their circumstances.
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 9, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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