Cal. Civ. Code § 22-9.5-5-5
Discrimination based upon disability; scope of term; definitions; compliance with safety rules
Operative Text
Sec. 5. (a) A person may not discriminate in the sale or rental or otherwise make unavailable or deny a dwelling to any buyer or renter because of a disability of: (1) the buyer or renter; (2) a person residing in or intending to reside in the dwelling after the dwelling is sold, rented, or made available; or (3) any person associated with the buyer or renter. (b) A person may not discriminate against any person in the terms, conditions, or privileges of sale or rental of a dwelling or in the provision of services or facilities in connection with the dwelling because of a disability of: (1) the person; (2) a person residing in or intending to reside in the dwelling after the dwelling is sold, rented, or made available; or (3) any person associated with the person. (c) For purposes of this section only, discrimination includes the following: (1) A refusal to permit, at the expense of the person with a disability, reasonable modifications of existing premises occupied or to be occupied by the person if the modifications may be necessary to afford the person full enjoyment of the premises. (2) A refusal to make reasonable accommodations in rules, policies, practices, or services, when the accommodations may be necessary to afford the person equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling. (3) In connection with the design and construction of covered multifamily dwellings for first occupancy after March 13, 1991, a failure to design and construct those dwellings in a manner that: (A) the public use and common use parts of the dwellings are readily accessible to and usable by persons with disabilities; (B) all the doors are designed to allow passage into and within all premises within the dwellings and are sufficiently wide to allow passage by persons with disabilities in wheelchairs; and (C) all premises within the dwellings contain the following features of adaptive design: (i) An accessible route into and through the dwelling. (ii) Light switches, electrical outlets, thermostats, and other environmental controls in accessible locations. (iii) Reinforcements in bathroom walls to allow later installation of grab bars. (iv) Usable kitchens and bathrooms so that an individual in a wheelchair can maneuver about the space. (d) As used in subsection (c), "covered multifamily dwellings" means: (1) buildings consisting of four (4) or more units if the buildings have one (1) or more elevators; and (2) ground floor units in other buildings consisting of four (4) or more units. (e) Compliance with the rules of the fire prevention and building safety commission that incorporate by reference the appropriate requirements of the American National Standard for buildings and facilities providing accessibility and usability for people with physical disabilities (ANSI A117.1) satisfies the requirements of subsection (c)(3)(C). (f) This section does not require that a dwelling be made available to an individual whose tenancy would constitute a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals or whose tenancy would result in substantial physical damage to the property of others.
Indiana Code § 22-9.5-5-5 prohibits housing providers from refusing to sell or rent a dwelling, or from imposing different terms and conditions, based on a disability of the buyer, renter, a future resident, or anyone associated with them. The law also defines discrimination to include refusing reasonable modifications (paid for by the person with a disability) and refusing reasonable accommodations in rules or policies. Covered multifamily buildings first occupied after March 13, 1991 must meet specific accessible design standards, though housing need not be made available to someone who poses a direct threat to others or would cause substantial property damage.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Ind. Code § 22-9.5-5-5, compliant housing operators generally allow tenants with disabilities to make reasonable modifications at the tenant's own expense and grant reasonable accommodations in policies or procedures when needed for equal enjoyment. Operators of covered multifamily properties built for first occupancy after March 13, 1991 maintain accessible common areas, wide doorways, and adaptive design features. Compliance with Indiana's fire prevention and building safety commission rules referencing ANSI A117.1 satisfies the adaptive design requirements of this section.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Ind. Code § 22-9.5-5-5 gives renters and buyers with disabilities the right to request reasonable modifications to their unit at their own cost and to seek reasonable accommodations in a landlord's rules or policies. If a housing provider refuses such requests or applies different rental terms because of a disability, that refusal may constitute unlawful discrimination under this provision. Tenants who believe their rights have been violated can file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, contact a local fair housing organization, or consult a tenant-rights resource for guidance on 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 October 14, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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