Stillwater, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 93 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 93-6
Exemptions
Operative Text
A. Sales/rental by owners. Nothing in § 93-3 other than Subsection C shall apply to: (1) Any single-family house sold or rented by an owner; provided that such private individual owners does not own more than three such single-family houses at any one time. Provided, further, that in the case of the sale of any such single-family house by a private individual owner not residing in such house at the time of such sale or who was not the recent resident of such house prior to such sale, the exemption granted by this subsection shall apply only with respect to one such sale within any twenty-four-month period. Provided, further, that such bona fide private individual owner does not own any interest in, nor is there owned or reserved on his behalf, under any express or voluntary agreement, title to any right to all or a portion of the proceeds from the sale or rental of more than three such single-family houses at any one time. Provided, further, that the sale or rental of any such single-family house shall be excepted from the application of this chapter only if such house is sold or rented: A) without the use in any manner of the sales or rental facilities or the sales or rental services of any real estate broker, agent, or salesman, or of such facilities or services of any person in the business of selling or renting dwellings, or of any employee or agent of any such broker, agent, salesman, or person; and B) without the publication, posting or mailing, after notice of any advertisement or written notice in violation of § 93-3 of this chapter; but nothing in this proviso shall prohibit the use of attorneys, escrow agents, abstractors, title companies, and other such professional assistance as necessary to perfect or transfer the title; or (2) Rooms or units in dwellings containing living quarters occupied or intended to be occupied by no more than four families living independently of each other, if the owner actually maintains and occupies one of such living quarters as his residence. For the purpose of this exemption, a person shall be deemed to be in the business of selling or renting dwellings if: (a) He has, within the preceding 12 months, participated as principal in three or more transactions involving the sale or rental of any dwelling or any interest therein, or (b) He has, within the preceding 12 months, participated as agent, other than in the sale of his own personal residence, in providing sales or rental facilities or sales or rental services in two or more transactions involving the sale or rental of any dwelling or any interest therein, or (c) He is the owner of any dwelling designed or intended for occupancy by, or occupied by, five or more families. B. Sales/rentals by religious organizations. Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit a religious organization, association, or society, or any nonprofit institution or organization operated, supervised or controlled by or in conjunction with a religious organization, association, or society, from limiting the sale, rental, or occupancy of dwellings which it owns or operates for other than a commercial purpose to persons of the same religion, or from giving preference to such persons, unless membership in such religion is restricted on account of race, color, sex, or national origin. Nor shall anything in this chapter prohibit a private club not in fact open to the public, which as an incident to its primary purpose or purposes provides lodgings which it owns or operates for other than a commercial purpose, from limiting the rental or occupancy of such lodgings to its members or from giving preference to its members.
Section 93-6 of Stillwater, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 93 carves out specific situations where the fair-housing requirements of § 93-3 do not apply. Private individual owners of no more than three single-family homes may be exempt when selling or renting without using a real estate broker or publishing discriminatory advertising, subject to additional conditions on how often and under what circumstances the exemption applies. Owners of small owner-occupied buildings with no more than four units, religious organizations limiting occupancy to members of their faith (unless that faith restricts membership by race, color, sex, or national origin), and qualifying private clubs are also covered by these exemptions.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 93-6 of Stillwater's ch. 93, operators who believe they qualify for an exemption — such as small-portfolio private owners or owner-occupants of buildings with four or fewer units — generally document that they meet every stated condition, including limits on the number of properties owned, the absence of broker involvement, and compliance with the advertising restrictions still imposed by § 93-3(C). Owners who do not reside in a single-family home at the time of sale should be aware that the exemption for non-resident sellers is limited to one transaction within any twenty-four-month period. Religious organizations and private clubs relying on the § 93-6(B) exemption typically confirm that any membership or occupancy preference is not based on race, color, sex, or national origin.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 93-6 of Stillwater ch. 93 defines the boundaries of who is and is not shielded from the chapter's fair-housing rules, which means tenants and prospective buyers can assess whether a landlord or seller actually qualifies for a claimed exemption. If a property owner uses a real estate broker, posts discriminatory advertising, or owns more than three single-family homes, the § 93-6 exemption may not apply, and the full protections of § 93-3 could remain in effect. Tenants who believe an exemption has been improperly claimed may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider familiar with Stillwater's local ordinances to understand available options.
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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