Owego, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 55 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 55-4
Discrimination in sale or rental of housing
Operative Text
Except as exempted by § 55-7 , it shall be unlawful within the Town of Owego to: A. 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. Discriminate against any person in the terms, conditions, or privileges of sale or rental of a dwelling, or in the provisions of services or facilities in connection therewith, because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin. C. 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 any intention to make any such preference, limitation, or discrimination. D. 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, induce or attempt to induce any person to sell or rent any dwelling by representations regarding the entry or prospective entry into neighborhood of a person or persons of a particular race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or natural origin.
Section 55-4 of Owego's Code of Ordinances ch. 55 makes it unlawful within the Town of Owego to refuse, deny, or place discriminatory conditions on the sale or rental of housing based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin. The provision also prohibits discriminatory advertising, misrepresenting a dwelling's availability, and the practice of 'blockbusting'—profiting by steering owners to sell through fear-based representations about who is moving into a neighborhood. Exemptions to these prohibitions exist under § 55-7.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 55-4 of Owego's Code of Ordinances ch. 55, compliant property owners and managers apply consistent, non-discriminatory criteria when evaluating offers, setting lease terms, providing services, and communicating availability to all prospective buyers or renters. Advertising and listing language is reviewed to ensure it contains no stated or implied preferences based on any of the protected characteristics named in the ordinance. Operators also avoid any representations—whether to current owners or prospective tenants—that reference the demographic composition of a neighborhood as a basis for a housing decision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 55-4 of Owego's Code of Ordinances ch. 55 establishes that residents and housing seekers in the Town of Owego have the right to be free from discrimination in the sale, rental, terms, advertising, and availability of dwellings on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin. If a person believes they have experienced a violation of this provision, general enforcement paths can include filing a complaint with a local or state fair housing agency, contacting the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, or reaching out to a tenant-rights or fair housing organization for guidance. Reviewing the exemptions listed in § 55-7 may also be relevant when assessing a particular situation.
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