Canton, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 158 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 158-4
Discrimination in the sale or rental of housing
Operative Text
Except as exempted by § 158-6 , it shall be unlawful within the Town of Canton: A. To refuse to sell or rent after the making of a bona fide offer or to refuse to negotiate for the sale or rental of or otherwise make unavailable or deny a dwelling to any person because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, family status or household composition or disability. B. To discriminate against any person in the terms, conditions, privileges of sale or rental of a dwelling or in the provision of services or facilities therewith because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, family status or household composition or disability. C. To make, print, publish or cause to be made, printed or published any notice, statement or advertisement with respect to the sale or rental of a dwelling that indicates any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, family status or household composition or disability or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination. D. To represent to any person because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, family status or household composition or disability that any dwelling is not available for inspection, sale or rental when such dwelling is in fact so available. E. For profit, to induce or attempt to induce any person to sell or rent any dwelling by representations regarding the entry or prospective entry into the neighborhood of a person or persons of a particular race, color, religion, national origin, sex, family status or household composition or disability.
Canton, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 158 § 158-4 prohibits housing discrimination within the Town of Canton on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, family status or household composition, or disability. The rule covers a broad range of conduct: refusing to sell or rent, applying unequal terms or conditions, publishing discriminatory advertisements, misrepresenting a unit's availability, and profiting from blockbusting-style tactics that exploit fears about who is moving into a neighborhood. Certain exemptions exist under § 158-6, but outside those exemptions the prohibition applies to virtually all aspects of the sale and rental process.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Canton, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 158 § 158-4, compliant property owners and managers apply the same screening criteria, lease terms, and service standards to all applicants and residents regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, family status or household composition, or disability. Operators generally review all advertising copy—including online listings—to ensure no language signals a preference for or against any protected class. Accurate and consistent communication about unit availability is also a standard practice, as misrepresenting whether a dwelling is available to a prospective buyer or renter based on a protected characteristic is expressly prohibited by this section.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Canton, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 158 § 158-4 gives residents and prospective residents the right to be free from discriminatory treatment at every stage of the housing process, from initial inquiry through the terms of an active tenancy. If you believe a landlord, seller, or their agent has violated this section—for example, by refusing to negotiate, quoting different terms, or falsely claiming a unit is unavailable—you may have grounds to raise that conduct as a violation under local law. General enforcement paths can include filing a complaint with a local or state fair-housing agency, contacting a tenant-rights or fair-housing organization for guidance, or consulting an attorney familiar with housing discrimination law.
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.
Effective Timeline
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Rules and statutes that cite this regulation