West Seneca, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 71 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 71-8
Court action
Operative Text
Any person claiming to be aggrieved by an unlawful discriminatory practice, as defined in § 71-3 of this chapter, shall have a cause of action in any court of competent jurisdiction within one (1) year from the date of occurrence for damages and such other remedies as may be appropriate. The court may: A. Award actual damages, including but not limited to damages for mental anguish, embarrassment and humiliation; B. Award punitive damages; C. Award reasonable attorney's fees in the case of a prevailing plaintiff; and/or D. Grant as relief, as it deems appropriate, any permanent or temporary injunction, temporary restraining order or other order. No bond shall be required prior to the issuance of injunctive relief.
West Seneca, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 71 § 71-8 establishes a private right of action in court for anyone who believes they have been subjected to an unlawful discriminatory practice as defined in § 71-3 of the same chapter. A claim must be filed within one year of the date the alleged discriminatory act occurred. If a court finds in favor of the claimant, it may award actual damages (including those for mental anguish, embarrassment, and humiliation), punitive damages, and reasonable attorney's fees, and it may also issue injunctive or other equitable relief without requiring a bond.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under West Seneca, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 71 § 71-8, property owners and managers who are found to have engaged in unlawful discriminatory practices face exposure to actual damages, punitive damages, and the prevailing plaintiff's attorney's fees, as well as potential court-ordered injunctions. Operators who maintain consistent, documented, non-discriminatory policies and practices in line with § 71-3 generally reduce the risk of court action being brought against them. Keeping thorough records of rental decisions, communications, and policy applications is a common practice among compliant housing providers.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
West Seneca, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 71 § 71-8 gives individuals who believe they have experienced unlawful housing discrimination a direct path to file a lawsuit in a court of competent jurisdiction within one year of the discriminatory act. If successful, a court can award a range of remedies including compensation for emotional harm, punitive damages, attorney's fees, and injunctive relief. Tenants exploring this provision may find it helpful to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid office to understand the full range of options available under § 71-8 and related provisions.
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
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation