Greenfield, Mass., Code of Bylaws ch 136 § 136-1
Policy (Greenfield Human Rights Commission)
Operative Text
[Amended 4-17-2019 by Order No. FY 19-125 ] It is hereby declared to be the public policy of the City to protect and promote the constitutional, civil and human rights of all people within the City from any actions or incidences occurring within the City. Further, the City asserts that: A. All people have certain inalienable rights, including the rights to life, liberty, property, the pursuit of happiness and equal justice under the laws of the United States, the commonwealth and the City of Greenfield. B. No person shall have these rights constrained, reduced, ignored or violated; all people shall be protected in the exercise of these human and civil rights. C. No person shall be unlawfully discriminated against, in matters of housing, employment, education, or public accommodations, on the basis of: age, ancestry, color, disability, national origin, race, religious creed, sex or sexual orientation. D. The Greenfield Human Rights Commission shall work toward mutual respect and understanding among all individuals and groups of the City through improving the quality of public discourse and eliminating unlawful discrimination.
Greenfield, Mass., Code of Bylaws CH. 136 § 136-1 establishes the city's foundational public policy on civil and human rights. It affirms that all people within Greenfield hold inalienable rights — including rights related to life, liberty, property, and equal justice — and that no person may be unlawfully discriminated against in housing, employment, education, or public accommodations on the basis of characteristics such as age, race, sex, disability, national origin, or sexual orientation, among others. The Greenfield Human Rights Commission is designated as the body responsible for advancing mutual respect and working to eliminate unlawful discrimination throughout the city.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under CH. 136 § 136-1, Greenfield's public policy explicitly prohibits unlawful discrimination in housing on the basis of protected characteristics including age, ancestry, color, disability, national origin, race, religious creed, sex, and sexual orientation. Property owners and managers operating in Greenfield generally align their tenant screening, lease terms, and property management practices with these stated protections. The Greenfield Human Rights Commission is the local body charged with addressing discrimination concerns, and operators familiar with its role are better positioned to understand the city's enforcement landscape.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
CH. 136 § 136-1 affirms that Greenfield residents have a right to be free from unlawful discrimination in housing based on characteristics such as race, disability, sex, sexual orientation, and several other protected categories. Tenants who believe their rights under this provision have been violated may consider reaching out to the Greenfield Human Rights Commission, which is specifically tasked under this section with working to eliminate unlawful discrimination within the city. Tenant-rights organizations and legal aid resources can also help individuals understand what options may be available when these protections are at issue.
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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