Cal. Civ. Code § 910-2-8-4

Use of words, phrases, symbols, and visual aids

In Force
Verified 10/26/2026 · Next check 11/2/2026
effective 10/15/2026IndianaFair Housing & Anti-Discrimination

Operative Text

Cal. Civ. Code § 910-2-8-4
Sec. 4. The words, phrases, symbols, and forms listed in this section typify those most often used in residential real estate advertising to convey either overt or tacit discriminatory preferences or limitations. In considering a complaint under IC 22-9.5, the ICRC will normally consider the use of the following comparable words, phrases, symbols, and forms to indicate a possible violation of IC 22-9.5 and to establish a need for further proceedings on the complaint if it is apparent from the context of the usage that discrimination within the meaning of IC 22-9.5 is likely to result:
(1) Words descriptive of dwelling, landlord, and tenants, including, but not limited to, the following:
(A) White private home.
(B) Colored home.
(C) Jewish home.
(D) Hispanic residence.
(E) Adult building.

(2) Words indicative of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, including, but not limited to, the following:
(A) Words indicative of race, including, but not limited to:
(i) Negro.
(ii) Black.
(iii) Caucasian.
(iv) Oriental.
(v) American Indian.

(B) Words indicative of color, including, but not limited to, the following:
(i) White.
(ii) Black.
(iii) Colored.

(C) Words indicative of religion, including, but not limited to, the following:
(i) Protestant.
(ii) Christian.
(iii) Catholic.
(iv) Jew.

(D) Words indicative of national origin, including, but not limited to, the following:
(i) Mexican American.
(ii) Puerto Rican.
(iii) Philippine.
(iv) Polish.
(v) Hungarian.
(vi) Irish.
(vii) Italian.
(viii) Chicano.
(ix) African.
(x) Hispanic.
(xi) Chinese.
(xii) Indian.
(xiii) Latino.

(E) The exclusive use of words in advertisements, including those involving the rental of separate units in a single-family or multiple-family dwelling, stating or tending to imply that the housing being advertised is available to persons of only one (1) sex and not the other, except where sharing living areas is involved. Nothing in this rule restricts advertisement of a dwelling used exclusively for dormitory facilities by educational institutions.
(F) Words indicative of handicap, including, but not limited to, the following:
(i) Crippled.
(ii) Blind.
(iii) Deaf.
(iv) Mentally ill.
(v) Mentally retarded.
(vi) Impaired.
(vii) Handicapped.
(viii) Physically fit.

Nothing in this rule restricts the inclusion of information about the availability of accessible housing in advertising a dwelling.
(G) Words indicative of familial status, including, but not limited to, the following:
(i) Adults.
(ii) Children.
(iii) Singles.
(iv) Mature persons.

Nothing in this rule restricts advertisement of a dwelling which is intended and operated for occupancy by older persons and which constitutes housing for older persons as defined in IC 22-9.5-3-4.
(H) Words and phrases, such as any of the following used in a discriminatory context should be avoided:
(i) Restricted.
(ii) Exclusive.
(iii) Private.
(iv) Integrated.
(v) Traditional.
(vi) Board approval.
(vii) Membership approval.

(3) A symbol or logotype which imply [sic., implies] or suggest [sic., suggests] any of the following:
(A) Race.
(B) Color.
(C) Religion.
(D) Sex.
(E) Handicap.
(F) Familial status.
(G) National origin.

(4) Words or phrases used regionally or locally which imply or suggest any of the following:
(A) Race.
(B) Color.
(C) Religion.
(D) Sex.
(E) Handicap.
(F) Familial status.
(G) National origin.

(5) Directions which imply a discriminatory preference, limitation, or exclusion. The following are examples:
(A) A reference to a real estate location made in terms of a significant landmark of racial or national origin such as:
(i) an existing black development which may be a signal to blacks; or
(ii) an existing development known for its exclusion of minorities which may be a signal to whites.

(B) Specific directions which make a reference to a significant area of racial or national origin may indicate a racial preference.
(C) A reference to a synagogue, congregation, or parish may indicate a religious preference.

(6) Names of facilities which cater to a particular racial, national origin, or religious group such as country club or private school designations or names of facilities which are used exclusively by one (1) sex may indicate a preference.
Source: Legislative text reproduced verbatim
Plain English

910 IAC 2 § 910-2-8-4 identifies specific words, phrases, symbols, and visual aids that commonly signal discriminatory preferences or limitations in residential real estate advertising. When the Indiana Civil Rights Commission (ICRC) reviews a complaint under IC 22-9.5, the presence of these terms or images in an advertisement — viewed in context — can indicate a possible fair-housing violation and trigger further proceedings. The rule covers a broad range of protected characteristics, including race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, and national origin, while carving out narrow exceptions such as housing for older persons and dormitory facilities.

Written by anthropic/claude-sonnet-4.6 · Reviewed on October 15, 2026

Plain English — not legal advice.

For Property Managers

Under 910 IAC 2 § 910-2-8-4, compliant property owners and managers review all advertising copy — including online listings, print ads, and signage — to ensure it describes the dwelling itself rather than the type of person expected or preferred as a resident. Operators generally avoid the specific words, phrases, symbols, and directional references enumerated in this section, as well as regionally understood coded language that could imply a preference based on a protected characteristic. Advertising that highlights accessible features or that legitimately qualifies a property as housing for older persons under IC 22-9.5-3-4 remains permissible under the rule's stated exceptions.

General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.

For Tenants

910 IAC 2 § 910-2-8-4 establishes that residential advertisements using certain words, phrases, symbols, or directional cues in a discriminatory context can constitute evidence of a fair-housing violation under IC 22-9.5. Tenants who encounter advertising they believe contains such language or imagery may file a complaint with the Indiana Civil Rights Commission (ICRC), which is authorized to evaluate whether the content indicates a possible violation and warrants further proceedings. Tenant-rights organizations and fair-housing councils can help individuals understand what types of advertising content may be covered by this provision and what complaint options are generally available.

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 15, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.

Effective Timeline

Current
Oct 15, 2026
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References Out

Rules and statutes cited by this regulation

Ind. Code § 22-9.5-3-4
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References In

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Related Rules

§ 5.106
§ 5.106 Equal access in accordance with the individual's gender identity in community planning and development programs.
§ 5.109
§ 5.109 Equal participation of faith-based organizations in HUD programs and activities.
§ 2
Policies; recommendations

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