Waterford, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 81 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 81-4
Discrimination in financing of housing
Operative Text
It shall be unlawful within the Town of Waterford, for any bank, building and loan association, insurance company, or other corporation, association, firm, or enterprise whose business consists in whole or in part in the making of commercial real estate loans to deny a loan or other financial assistance to a person applying thereof for the purpose of purchasing, constructing, improving, repairing, or maintaining a dwelling; or to discriminate against him in the fixing of the amount, interest rate, duration or other terms or conditions of such loan or other financial assistance because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin of such person or of any person associated with him in connection with such loan or other financial assistance, or the purpose of such loan or other financial assistance, or of the present or prospective owners, lessees, tenants, or occupants of the dwelling or dwellings in relation to which such loan or other financial assistance is to be made or given, provided, that nothing contained in this section shall impair the scope or effectiveness of the exception contained in § 81-6 .
Section 81-4 of Waterford, N.Y., Code of Ordinances Chapter 81 prohibits lenders — including banks, savings institutions, insurance companies, and similar financial enterprises — from denying or discriminating in the terms of real estate loans based on the race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin of an applicant or anyone associated with the transaction. This applies to loans sought for purchasing, constructing, improving, repairing, or maintaining a dwelling. The rule covers not only the applicant but also persons connected to the loan and the current or prospective occupants of the property involved.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers in Waterford who seek financing for residential properties should be aware that under § 81-4, lenders operating in the town are prohibited from varying loan amounts, interest rates, durations, or other terms on the basis of protected characteristics. Compliant lenders evaluate applications on neutral, non-discriminatory criteria regardless of the race, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin of any party connected to the transaction. Owners who encounter differential treatment in financing terms may have recourse under this local ordinance in addition to any applicable state or federal fair lending laws.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under § 81-4 of Waterford's Code of Ordinances, tenants and prospective occupants of a dwelling are among the protected parties — meaning a lender cannot use the characteristics of current or future residents as a basis for denying or altering the terms of a real estate loan. Individuals who believe a lender has discriminated against them in connection with housing financing in Waterford may consider documenting the treatment and exploring complaint options through local, state, or federal fair housing agencies. Tenant-rights organizations and fair housing councils can help explain what remedies may be available under this provision and related laws.
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 10, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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Rules and statutes that cite this regulation