Chatham, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 41 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 41-3
Discriminatory practices
Operative Text
All discriminatory practices described and contained in §§ 296 and 296-a of the Executive Law of the State of New York as pertain to fair housing are hereby incorporated by reference as the provisions of this chapter. The procedure delineated in §§ 296 and 296-a of the Executive Law of the State of New York as pertain to fair housing is hereby replaced by the procedure set forth in § 41-6 of this chapter for the handling and processing of complaints for alleged violations of this chapter.
Section 41-3 of Chatham's Code of Ordinances adopts New York State's fair housing prohibitions — found in Executive Law §§ 296 and 296-a — as the local standard for what counts as a discriminatory housing practice. While the substantive definitions of discrimination are drawn directly from state law, the local ordinance substitutes its own complaint-handling procedure (set out in § 41-6) in place of the state procedure. This means the same categories of conduct that are unlawful under state fair housing law are also unlawful under Chatham's local code, but complaints are processed through the local mechanism.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 41-3, property owners and managers in Chatham are held to the same fair housing standards established by New York Executive Law §§ 296 and 296-a, covering areas such as refusals to rent, discriminatory terms, and related conduct. Compliant operators generally maintain non-discriminatory policies in advertising, tenant screening, and lease terms that align with those state-law standards as incorporated locally. When a complaint is filed, it will be handled through the local procedure described in § 41-6 rather than the state enforcement pathway.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 41-3 gives Chatham residents the same substantive fair housing protections that exist under New York Executive Law §§ 296 and 296-a, meaning the same categories of prohibited discrimination apply locally. If a tenant believes a discriminatory housing practice has occurred, the avenue for filing a complaint is the local procedure set out in § 41-6 of the Chatham Code rather than the state process. Tenants may also wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider to understand how the local and state protections interact in 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 10, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation