N.Y.C. Admin. Code tit. 8, ch. 1 § 8-101
Policy (New York City Human Rights Law)
Operative Text
In the city of New York, with its great cosmopolitan population, there is no greater danger to the health, morals, safety and welfare of the city and its inhabitants than the existence of groups prejudiced against one another and antagonistic to each other because of their actual or perceived differences, including those based on race, color, creed, age, national origin, immigration or citizenship status, gender, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, partnership status, caregiver status, sexual and reproductive health decisions, uniformed service, height, weight, any lawful source of income, status as a victim of domestic violence or as a victim of sex offenses or stalking, whether children are, may be or would be residing with a person or conviction or arrest record. The council hereby finds and declares that prejudice, intolerance, bigotry, and discrimination, bias-related violence or harassment and disorder occasioned thereby threaten the rights and proper privileges of its inhabitants and menace the institutions and foundation of a free democratic state. The council further finds and declares that gender-based harassment threatens the terms, conditions and privileges of employment. A city agency is hereby created with power to eliminate and prevent discrimination from playing any role in actions relating to employment, public accommodations, and housing and other real estate, and to take other actions against prejudice, intolerance, bigotry, discrimination, sexual harassment and bias-related violence or harassment as herein provided; and the commission established hereunder is hereby given general jurisdiction and power for such purposes. (Am. L.L. 2016/001, 1/5/2016, eff. 5/4/2016; Am. L.L. 2017/119, 7/22/2017, eff. 11/19/2017; Am. L.L. 2018/099, 5/9/2018, eff. 5/9/2018; Am. L.L. 2019/020, 1/20/2019, eff. 5/20/2019; Am. L.L. 2020/058, 6/29/2020, eff. 8/28/2020; Am. L.L. 2023/061, 5/26/2023, eff. 11/22/2023) Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 1991/039 and L.L. 2008/010 .
N.Y.C. Admin. Code §§ 8-101 et seq. establishes the foundational policy of New York City's human rights law, declaring that discrimination based on a broad range of characteristics — including race, color, creed, age, national origin, immigration status, gender, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, and many others — poses a serious threat to the city's welfare. The provision recognizes that prejudice, bigotry, bias-related violence, and harassment undermine the rights of all city residents. To address this, the law creates a city agency — the Commission on Human Rights — with broad jurisdiction to eliminate and prevent discrimination in employment, public accommodations, housing, and other real estate.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under N.Y.C. Admin. Code §§ 8-101 et seq., the city's overarching anti-discrimination policy applies directly to housing and real estate transactions, meaning property owners and managers operating in New York City are subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission on Human Rights. Compliant operators generally ensure that decisions about renting, leasing, or managing property are made without regard to any of the protected characteristics enumerated in this provision, which include source of income, immigration status, and familial status, among many others. Familiarity with the full scope of protected classes under this policy section is a foundational step for anyone involved in New York City housing operations.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
N.Y.C. Admin. Code §§ 8-101 et seq. reflects the city's declared commitment to protecting residents from discrimination in housing across a wide range of characteristics, including race, national origin, immigration status, source of income, disability, and familial status. Tenants who believe they have experienced discriminatory treatment in connection with housing may have recourse through the New York City Commission on Human Rights, which was established under this provision with broad authority to investigate and act on such claims. Tenant-rights organizations and legal aid services can help individuals understand how this policy framework applies to their circumstances and what general options may be available to them.
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 1, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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