Wyo. Stat. Ann. §§ 40-26-101 to 40-26-145 § 40-26-102
Definitions.
Operative Text
40-26-102. Definitions.
(a) As used in this act:
(i) "Aggrieved person" includes any person who claims
to have been injured by a discriminatory housing practice or
believes that the person will be injured by a discriminatory
housing practice that is about to occur;
(ii) "Complainant" means a person, including the
enforcing authority that files a complaint under W.S. 40-26-118;
(iii) "Conciliation" means the informal negotiations
among an aggrieved person, the respondent, and the enforcing
authority to resolve issues raised by a complaint or by the
investigation of the complaint;
(iv) "Conciliation agreement" means a written
agreement resolving the issues in conciliation;
(v) "Disability" means a mental or physical
impairment that substantially limits at least one (1) major life
activity, a record of this impairment, or being regarded as
having this impairment. The term does not include current
illegal use or addiction to any drug or illegal or federally
controlled substance and does not apply to an individual because
of an individual's sexual orientation or because that individual
is a transvestite;
(vi) "Discriminatory housing practice" means an act
prohibited by W.S. 40-26-103 through 40-26-109 or conduct that
is an offense under W.S. 40-26-145;
(vii) "Dwelling" means any structure or part of a
structure that is occupied as, or designed or intended for
occupancy as, a residence by one (1) or more families or vacant
land that is offered for sale or lease for the construction or
location of a structure or part of a structure as previously
described. "Dwelling" includes a lot leased for the purpose of
placing on the lot a transportable home as defined in W.S.
31-1-101(a)(xxiv);
(viii) "Enforcing authority" means a Wyoming state
agency or nonprofit incorporated in Wyoming that has been
accepted as an enforcing authority for Wyoming by the department
of housing and urban development;
(ix) "Familial status" means one (1) or more minors
being domiciled with a parent or another person having legal
custody of the minor or minors, or the designee of the parent or
other person having such custody with the written permission of
the parent or other person. The protections afforded against
discrimination on the basis of familial status apply to any
person who is pregnant or is in the process of securing legal
custody of any minor;
(x) "Family" includes a single individual;
(xi) "Respondent" means a person accused of a
violation of this chapter in a complaint of discriminatory
housing practice or a person identified as an additional or
substitute respondent under W.S. 40-26-121 or an agent of an
additional or substitute respondent;
(xii) "To rent" includes to lease, sublease, or let,
or to grant in any other manner, for a consideration, the right
to occupy premises not owned by the occupant.Section 40-26-102 of Wyoming's fair housing law establishes the foundational vocabulary used throughout Wyo. Stat. §§ 40-26-101 through 40-26-145. It defines key terms such as 'dwelling,' 'discriminatory housing practice,' 'disability,' 'familial status,' and 'enforcing authority,' which shape how the rest of the statute is interpreted and applied. For example, 'dwelling' is defined broadly to include transportable home lots, and 'familial status' extends protections to pregnant individuals and those seeking legal custody of a minor. These definitions set the boundaries of who is protected, what conduct is regulated, and which entities may enforce the law.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under Wyoming's fair housing statute should be familiar with the definitions established in § 40-26-102, as these terms directly determine the scope of obligations throughout Wyo. Stat. §§ 40-26-101 through 40-26-145. The broad definition of 'dwelling' means that lots leased for transportable homes are covered, and the definition of 'to rent' encompasses leases, subleases, and other arrangements granting occupancy rights for consideration. Compliant operators generally apply these definitions consistently when evaluating their policies, advertising, and tenant-screening practices to ensure alignment with the full range of protected classes and covered housing types.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Renters and prospective tenants benefit from understanding the definitions in § 40-26-102, because these terms determine who qualifies as an 'aggrieved person' and what conduct constitutes a 'discriminatory housing practice' under Wyoming law. The definition of 'disability' and 'familial status,' for instance, clarifies which characteristics are protected, while the definition of 'enforcing authority' identifies the type of agency—a Wyoming state agency or qualifying nonprofit accepted by HUD—that can receive and process complaints under W.S. 40-26-118. Those who believe they have experienced a discriminatory housing practice may consider contacting an enforcing authority, a local tenant-rights organization, or reviewing the complaint process outlined elsewhere in Wyo. Stat. §§ 40-26-101 through 40-26-145.
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 26, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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