{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/15.2-965.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/15.2-965.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/15.2-965.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/15.2-965.html"}],"law_id":71567,"edition_id":1,"section_id":71567,"structure_id":13545,"section_number":"15.2-965","catch_line":"Human rights ordinances and commissions","history":"1987, c. 569, \u00a7 15.1-37.3:8; 1997, cc. 404, 587; 2020, cc. 131, 1137, 1140; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 477, 478; 2022, c. 799.","full_text":"A\n\nAny locality may enact an ordinance, not inconsistent with nor more stringent than any applicable state law, prohibiting discrimination in housing, employment, public accommodations, credit, and education on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, national origin, military status, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.B\n\nThe locality may enact an ordinance establishing a local commission on human rights that shall have the powers and duties granted by the Virginia Human Rights Act (§ 2.2-3900 et seq.).C\n\nAs used in this section:\n\t\t\t“Gender identity” means the gender-related identity, appearance, or other gender-related characteristics of an individual, without regard to the individual’s designated sex at birth.\n\t\t\t“Military status” means status as (i) a member of the uniformed forces, as defined in 10 U.S.C. § 101(a)(5), of the United States or a reserve component thereof named under 10 U.S.C. § 10101, (ii) a veteran as defined in 38 U.S.C. § 101(2), or (iii) a dependent as defined in 50 U.S.C. § 3911(4) except that the support provided by the service member to the individual shall have been provided 180 days immediately preceding an alleged action that if proven true would constitute unlawful discrimination under this section instead of 180 days immediately preceding an application for relief under 50 U.S.C. Chapter 50.\n\t\t\t“Religion” includes any outward expression of religious faith, including adherence to religious dressing and grooming practices and the carrying or display of religious items or symbols.\n\t\t\t“Sexual orientation” means a person’s actual or perceived heterosexuality, bisexuality, or homosexuality.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":257973,"text":"Any locality may enact an ordinance, not inconsistent with nor more stringent than any applicable state law, prohibiting discrimination in housing, employment, public accommodations, credit, and education on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, national origin, military status, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":257974,"text":"The locality may enact an ordinance establishing a local commission on human rights that shall have the powers and duties granted by the Virginia Human Rights Act (§ 2.2-3900 et seq.).","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":257975,"text":"As used in this section:\n\t\t\t“Gender identity” means the gender-related identity, appearance, or other gender-related characteristics of an individual, without regard to the individual’s designated sex at birth.\n\t\t\t“Military status” means status as (i) a member of the uniformed forces, as defined in 10 U.S.C. § 101(a)(5), of the United States or a reserve component thereof named under 10 U.S.C. § 10101, (ii) a veteran as defined in 38 U.S.C. § 101(2), or (iii) a dependent as defined in 50 U.S.C. § 3911(4) except that the support provided by the service member to the individual shall have been provided 180 days immediately preceding an alleged action that if proven true would constitute unlawful discrimination under this section instead of 180 days immediately preceding an application for relief under 50 U.S.C. Chapter 50.\n\t\t\t“Religion” includes any outward expression of religious faith, including adherence to religious dressing and grooming practices and the carrying or display of religious items or symbols.\n\t\t\t“Sexual orientation” means a person’s actual or perceived heterosexuality, bisexuality, or homosexuality.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13545,"edition_id":1,"name":"Additional Powers","identifier":"5","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13058,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:45:10","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:45:10","permalink":{"id":156673,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13545,"identifier":"5","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/5","url":"\/15.2\/II\/9\/5\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13058,"edition_id":1,"name":"General Powers of Local Governments","identifier":"9","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12733,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:11","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:11","permalink":{"id":156357,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13058,"identifier":"9","token":"15.2\/II\/9","url":"\/15.2\/II\/9\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12733,"edition_id":1,"name":"Powers of Local Government","identifier":"II","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12720,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:50","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:50","permalink":{"id":152369,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12733,"identifier":"II","token":"15.2\/II","url":"\/15.2\/II\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12720,"edition_id":1,"name":"Counties, Cities and Towns","identifier":"15.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","permalink":{"id":151279,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12720,"identifier":"15.2","token":"15.2","url":"\/15.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":59834,"structure_id":13545,"section_number":"15.2-950","catch_line":"Appropriations","url":"\/15.2-950\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/5\/15.2-950","metadata":false},{"id":82496,"structure_id":13545,"section_number":"15.2-951","catch_line":"Acquisition, disposition and use of personal property by localities generally","url":"\/15.2-951\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/5\/15.2-951","metadata":false},{"id":80950,"structure_id":13545,"section_number":"15.2-952","catch_line":"Political subdivisions may acquire property from United States","url":"\/15.2-952\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/5\/15.2-952","metadata":false},{"id":56590,"structure_id":13545,"section_number":"15.2-953","catch_line":"Donations to charitable institutions and associations, volunteer and nonprofit organizations, chambers of commerce, etc","url":"\/15.2-953\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/5\/15.2-953","metadata":false},{"id":72872,"structure_id":13545,"section_number":"15.2-954","catch_line":"Loans to volunteer firefighting and rescue organizations","url":"\/15.2-954\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/5\/15.2-954","metadata":false},{"id":69377,"structure_id":13545,"section_number":"15.2-954.1","catch_line":"Volunteer firefighter or volunteer emergency medical services personnel tuition reimbursement","url":"\/15.2-954.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/5\/15.2-954.1","metadata":false},{"id":69752,"structure_id":13545,"section_number":"15.2-955","catch_line":"Approval by local governing body for the establishment of volunteer emergency medical services agencies and firefighting organizations","url":"\/15.2-955\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/5\/15.2-955","metadata":false},{"id":65390,"structure_id":13545,"section_number":"15.2-956","catch_line":"Participation in certain federal development programs","url":"\/15.2-956\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/5\/15.2-956","metadata":false},{"id":87224,"structure_id":13545,"section_number":"15.2-957","catch_line":"Participation by localities in certain leasing programs","url":"\/15.2-957\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/5\/15.2-957","metadata":false},{"id":63172,"structure_id":13545,"section_number":"15.2-958","catch_line":"Local funding for repair or production of low and moderate income rental property or repair of residential property; 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This law was first created in 1987. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 569 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1987 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 3 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1997, chapters 404<\/a> and 587<\/a>; in 2020, chapters 131<\/a>, 1137<\/a>, and 1140<\/a>; in 2022, chapter 799<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":77912,"section_number":"2.2-3705.3","catch_line":"(Effective July 1, 2026) Exclusions to application of chapter; records relating to administrative investigations","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-3705.3\/"},{"id":57422,"section_number":"2.2-3902","catch_line":"Construction of chapter; other programs to aid persons with disabilities, minors, and the elderly","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-3902\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":68757,"section_number":"2.2-3900","catch_line":"Short title; declaration of policy","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-3900\/"}],"permalink":{"id":156791,"object_type":"law","relational_id":71567,"identifier":"15.2-965","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/5\/15.2-965","url":"\/15.2-965\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/15.2-965\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/5\/15.2-965","dublin_core":{"Title":"Human rights ordinances and commissions","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 15.2-965","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Any locality<\/span> may enact an ordinance<\/span>, not inconsistent with nor more stringent than any applicable state law<\/span>, prohibiting discrimination in housing, employment, public accommodations, credit, and education on the basis of race, color, religion<\/span>, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, national origin, military status<\/span>, age, marital status, sexual orientation<\/span>, gender identity<\/span>, or disability. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> The locality<\/span> may enact an ordinance<\/span> establishing a local commission on human rights that shall have the powers and duties granted by the Virginia Human Rights Act (§ 2.2-3900<\/a> et seq.). <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> As used in this section:\n\t\t\t“Gender identity<\/span>” means the gender-related identity, appearance<\/span>, or other gender-related characteristics of an individual, without regard to the individual’s designated sex at birth.\n\t\t\t“Military status<\/span>” means status as (i) a member of the uniformed forces, as defined in 10 U.S.C. § 101(a)(5), of the United States or a reserve component thereof named under 10 U.S.C. § 10101, (ii) a veteran as defined in 38 U.S.C. § 101(2), or (iii) a dependent as defined in 50 U.S.C. § 3911(4) except that the support provided by the service member to the individual shall have been provided 180 days immediately preceding an alleged action that if proven true would constitute unlawful discrimination under this section instead of 180 days immediately preceding an application for relief under 50 U.S.C. Chapter 50.\n\t\t\t“Religion<\/span>” includes any outward expression of religious faith, including adherence to religious dressing and grooming practices and the carrying or display of religious items or symbols.\n\t\t\t“Sexual orientation<\/span>” means a person’s actual or perceived heterosexuality, bisexuality, or homosexuality. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nHUMAN RIGHTS ORDINANCES AND COMMISSIONS (\u00a7 15.2-965)\n\nA. Any locality may enact an ordinance, not inconsistent with nor more stringent\nthan any applicable state law, prohibiting discrimination in housing,\nemployment, public accommodations, credit, and education on the basis of race,\ncolor, religion, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions,\nnational origin, military status, age, marital status, sexual orientation,\ngender identity, or disability.\n\nB. The locality may enact an ordinance establishing a local commission on human\nrights that shall have the powers and duties granted by the Virginia Human\nRights Act (§ 2.2-3900 et seq.).\n\nC. As used in this section:\n\t\t\t“Gender identity” means the gender-related identity, appearance,\nor other gender-related characteristics of an individual, without regard to the\nindividual’s designated sex at birth.\n\t\t\t“Military status” means status as (i) a member of the uniformed\nforces, as defined in 10 U.S.C. § 101(a)(5), of the United States or a\nreserve component thereof named under 10 U.S.C. § 10101, (ii) a veteran as\ndefined in 38 U.S.C. § 101(2), or (iii) a dependent as defined in 50 U.S.C.\n§ 3911(4) except that the support provided by the service member to the\nindividual shall have been provided 180 days immediately preceding an alleged\naction that if proven true would constitute unlawful discrimination under this\nsection instead of 180 days immediately preceding an application for relief\nunder 50 U.S.C. Chapter 50.\n\t\t\t“Religion” includes any outward expression of religious faith,\nincluding adherence to religious dressing and grooming practices and the\ncarrying or display of religious items or symbols.\n\t\t\t“Sexual orientation” means a person’s actual or perceived\nheterosexuality, bisexuality, or homosexuality.\n\nHISTORY: 1987, c. 569, \u00a7 15.1-37.3:8; 1997, cc. 404, 587; 2020, cc. 131, 1137,\n1140; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 477, 478; 2022, c. 799.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}