Massena, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 152 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 152-3
Discrimination in the sale or rental of housing
Operative Text
Except as exempted by § 152-6 , it shall be unlawful within the Village of Massena: 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, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin. B. To discriminate against any person in the terms, conditions, or privileges of sale or rental of a dwelling, or in the provision of services or facilities in connection therewith, because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin. C. To make, print, or 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, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, or an intention to make any such preference, limitation, or discrimination. D. To represent to any person because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin 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, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin.
Massena, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 152 § 152-3 prohibits a broad range of discriminatory practices in the sale or rental of housing within the Village of Massena. Covered protected characteristics include race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, and national origin. The rule bars not only outright refusals to sell or rent, but also discriminatory terms, misleading statements about availability, biased advertising, and blockbusting — the practice of steering owners to sell by stoking fears about neighborhood demographic change. Exemptions described in § 152-6 may apply in certain limited circumstances.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Massena, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 152 § 152-3, compliant housing providers apply consistent criteria to all applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin. This means advertising language, quoted rental or sale terms, and representations about unit availability are kept uniform and free of any preference or limitation tied to protected characteristics. Operators also avoid any communications — written, printed, or verbal — that could be construed as steering, blockbusting, or signaling a discriminatory intent, and they ensure that staff and agents handling inquiries follow the same non-discriminatory standards.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 152-3 of Massena's housing code gives residents the right to seek housing free from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, covering everything from initial negotiations to the terms of an existing tenancy. If a tenant or prospective tenant believes a landlord has violated § 152-3 — for example, by misrepresenting availability or offering different lease terms based on a protected characteristic — that violation may be raised as a defense in a housing proceeding or as the basis for a complaint. Tenant-rights organizations and fair housing agencies can explain the range of options available, including local complaint processes and federal fair housing channels through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
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