Zion — Ch. 46 Human Relations § 46-54
Limitations in applicability to owner
Operative Text
(a) Nothing in this article shall require an owner to offer property to the public at large before selling or renting it, nor shall this article be deemed to prohibit owners from giving preference to prospective tenants or buyers for any reason other than religion, race, color, sex, creed, ancestry, national origin, or physical or mental handicap. (b) Nothing in this article shall require an owner to offer property for sale or lease to any person if the owner has any reason to believe that such person is not negotiating for the purchase or lease of such property in good faith.
Zion Ch. 46 § 46-54 clarifies the boundaries of the city's human-relations anti-discrimination rules as they apply to property owners. Under this provision, owners are not obligated to market property to the general public before selling or renting, and they may favor certain prospective tenants or buyers for any reason that does not involve religion, race, color, sex, creed, ancestry, national origin, or physical or mental handicap. Additionally, the provision allows owners to decline to deal with any person they have reasonable grounds to believe is not negotiating in good faith for a purchase or lease.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Zion Ch. 46 § 46-54, compliant property owners understand that while they retain flexibility in how they market and offer their properties, any preference given to prospective tenants or buyers must not be based on protected characteristics such as religion, race, color, sex, creed, ancestry, national origin, or physical or mental handicap. Operators who decline to engage with a prospective tenant or buyer typically document the objective, non-discriminatory basis for that decision—such as a good-faith concern about the seriousness of the inquiry—rather than relying on any protected characteristic. Maintaining consistent, well-documented screening and outreach practices helps demonstrate that decisions align with the limits set out in § 46-54.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Zion Ch. 46 § 46-54 preserves important protections for prospective tenants even while granting owners certain discretion: an owner's preference or refusal to deal is only permitted when it is not based on religion, race, color, sex, creed, ancestry, national origin, or physical or mental handicap. If a prospective tenant believes they were passed over or refused for a reason tied to one of those protected characteristics—rather than a legitimate good-faith concern—that may constitute a violation of the broader human-relations article of which § 46-54 is a part. Individuals in that situation may consider contacting a local tenant-rights organization, a fair-housing agency, or the relevant municipal authority to understand what complaint or enforcement options 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 9, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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