Grand Rapids — Ch. 160 Discrimination in Real Property Transactions § 9.368
Religious Institutions
Operative Text
It shall not be unlawful for a religious institution or organization or a charitable or educational organization operated, supervised or controlled by a religious institution or organization to give preference to members of the same religion in a real property transaction when the property is to be used for religious, charitable or educational purposes.
Under Grand Rapids Ch. 160 § 9.368, religious institutions and their affiliated charitable or educational organizations are permitted to favor members of their own religion when conducting real property transactions, provided the property in question will be used for religious, charitable, or educational purposes. This carve-out means that conduct which would otherwise constitute unlawful discrimination in real property transactions is explicitly allowed within this narrow context. The exemption applies only when both the organizational affiliation and the intended property use meet the criteria set out in the provision.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners or managers operating under the umbrella of a religious institution or a religiously affiliated charitable or educational organization may, under § 9.368, lawfully give preference to co-religionists in real property transactions where the property is designated for religious, charitable, or educational use. Compliant operators generally document the religious or affiliated nature of their organization and the intended use of the property to demonstrate that the transaction falls within this exemption. Transactions that do not satisfy both conditions — organizational type and qualifying property use — would not be shielded by this provision and would remain subject to the broader anti-discrimination requirements of Ch. 160.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Grand Rapids Ch. 160 § 9.368, tenants or prospective occupants should be aware that this provision creates a limited exemption from the general prohibition on religious discrimination in real property transactions, applying only to religiously affiliated organizations dealing in property for religious, charitable, or educational purposes. If a person believes a preference or denial falls outside the narrow boundaries of this exemption — for example, because the property is not being used for a qualifying purpose — the broader protections of Ch. 160 may still apply. Those who believe their rights have been violated can explore filing a complaint with the relevant local civil rights or housing authority, or consult a tenant-rights organization for general information about available enforcement paths.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 13, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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