Goshen, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 59 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 59-8
Construal; procedures to be exclusive
Operative Text
The provisions of this chapter shall be construed liberally for the accomplishment of the purposes thereof. Nothing contained in this chapter shall be deemed to repeal any of the provisions of the civil rights laws or any other law of this state relating to discrimination because of race, creed, color or national origin. The procedure herein provided shall, while pending, be exclusive, and the final determination therein shall exclude any other action, civil or criminal, based on the same grievance of the individual concerned. If such individual institutes any action based on such grievance without resorting to the procedure provided in this chapter, he may not subsequently resort to the procedure herein.
Goshen, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 59 § 59-8 establishes that the chapter's rules are to be read broadly in favor of their protective purposes. It clarifies that the chapter does not override or repeal state civil rights laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, creed, color, or national origin. Crucially, the chapter creates an either/or framework: once a person chooses a path to resolve a grievance—either the chapter's internal procedure or an outside civil or criminal action—that choice is binding, and the other path is no longer available for the same complaint.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under ch. 59 § 59-8, property owners and managers should be aware that the chapter's provisions are interpreted broadly, meaning ambiguities tend to be resolved in favor of the chapter's protective goals. Compliant operators generally familiarize themselves with both the chapter's internal complaint procedure and the state civil rights laws that run alongside it, understanding that neither set of protections cancels the other. Knowing that a complainant's procedural election is exclusive can help operators anticipate which forum a dispute may be resolved in.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 59-8 of Goshen's ch. 59 preserves your rights under state civil rights laws even while the chapter's own procedures are in effect, meaning those broader protections are not waived by filing under this chapter. However, the provision contains an important procedural fork: if you pursue a grievance through an outside civil or criminal action rather than the chapter's internal procedure, you generally cannot later switch to the chapter's procedure for the same complaint—and vice versa. Tenants facing a grievance may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney to understand which forum best fits their situation before taking action.
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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