{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/36-96.1.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/36-96.1.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/36-96.1.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/36-96.1.html"}],"law_id":65553,"edition_id":1,"section_id":65553,"structure_id":13498,"section_number":"36-96.1","catch_line":"Declaration of policy","history":"1972, c. 591, \u00a7\u00a7 36-86, 36-87; 1973, c. 358; 1978, c. 138; 1989, c. 88; 1991, c. 557; 2020, cc. 477, 1137, 1140; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 477, 478.","full_text":"A\n\nThis chapter shall be known and referred to as the Virginia Fair Housing Law.B\n\nIt is the policy of the Commonwealth of Virginia to provide for fair housing throughout the Commonwealth, to all its citizens, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, elderliness, familial status, source of funds, sexual orientation, gender identity, military status, or disability, and to that end to prohibit discriminatory practices with respect to residential housing by any person or group of persons, in order that the peace, health, safety, prosperity, and general welfare of all the inhabitants of the Commonwealth may be protected and ensured. This law shall be deemed an exercise of the police power of the Commonwealth of Virginia for the protection of the people of the Commonwealth.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":238307,"text":"This chapter shall be known and referred to as the Virginia Fair Housing Law.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":238308,"text":"It is the policy of the Commonwealth of Virginia to provide for fair housing throughout the Commonwealth, to all its citizens, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, elderliness, familial status, source of funds, sexual orientation, gender identity, military status, or disability, and to that end to prohibit discriminatory practices with respect to residential housing by any person or group of persons, in order that the peace, health, safety, prosperity, and general welfare of all the inhabitants of the Commonwealth may be protected and ensured. This law shall be deemed an exercise of the police power of the Commonwealth of Virginia for the protection of the people of the Commonwealth.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13498,"edition_id":1,"name":"Virginia Fair Housing Law","identifier":"5.1","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12779,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:45:04","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:45:04","permalink":{"id":209181,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13498,"identifier":"5.1","token":"36\/5.1","url":"\/36\/5.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12779,"edition_id":1,"name":"Housing","identifier":"36","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","permalink":{"id":208257,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12779,"identifier":"36","token":"36","url":"\/36\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":65553,"structure_id":13498,"section_number":"36-96.1","catch_line":"Declaration of policy","url":"\/36-96.1\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.1","metadata":false},{"id":61134,"structure_id":13498,"section_number":"36-96.10","catch_line":"Procedures for investigation","url":"\/36-96.10\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.10","metadata":false},{"id":67356,"structure_id":13498,"section_number":"36-96.11","catch_line":"Reasonable cause determination and effect","url":"\/36-96.11\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.11","metadata":false},{"id":72315,"structure_id":13498,"section_number":"36-96.12","catch_line":"No reasonable cause determination and effect","url":"\/36-96.12\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.12","metadata":false},{"id":87140,"structure_id":13498,"section_number":"36-96.13","catch_line":"Conciliation","url":"\/36-96.13\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.13","metadata":false},{"id":79737,"structure_id":13498,"section_number":"36-96.14","catch_line":"Issuance of a charge","url":"\/36-96.14\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.14","metadata":false},{"id":79697,"structure_id":13498,"section_number":"36-96.15","catch_line":"Prompt judicial action","url":"\/36-96.15\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.15","metadata":false},{"id":77306,"structure_id":13498,"section_number":"36-96.16","catch_line":"Civil action by Attorney General upon referral of charge by the Real Estate Board","url":"\/36-96.16\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.16","metadata":false},{"id":85292,"structure_id":13498,"section_number":"36-96.17","catch_line":"Civil action by Attorney General; matters involving the legality of any local zoning or other land use ordinance; pattern or practice cases; or referral of conciliation agreement for enforcement","url":"\/36-96.17\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.17","metadata":false},{"id":70010,"structure_id":13498,"section_number":"36-96.18","catch_line":"Civil action; enforcement by private parties","url":"\/36-96.18\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.18","metadata":false},{"id":54812,"structure_id":13498,"section_number":"36-96.19","catch_line":"Witness fees","url":"\/36-96.19\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.19","metadata":false},{"id":62921,"structure_id":13498,"section_number":"36-96.1:1","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/36-96.1_1\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.1_1","metadata":false},{"id":58122,"structure_id":13498,"section_number":"36-96.2","catch_line":"Exemptions","url":"\/36-96.2\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.2","metadata":false},{"id":71220,"structure_id":13498,"section_number":"36-96.20","catch_line":"Additional powers of the Real Estate Board; action on real estate licenses","url":"\/36-96.20\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.20","metadata":false},{"id":85652,"structure_id":13498,"section_number":"36-96.21","catch_line":"Powers of counties, cities and towns","url":"\/36-96.21\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.21","metadata":false},{"id":58973,"structure_id":13498,"section_number":"36-96.22","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/36-96.22\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.22","metadata":false},{"id":67360,"structure_id":13498,"section_number":"36-96.23","catch_line":"Construction of law","url":"\/36-96.23\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.23","metadata":false},{"id":80070,"structure_id":13498,"section_number":"36-96.3","catch_line":"Unlawful discriminatory housing practices","url":"\/36-96.3\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.3","metadata":false},{"id":85052,"structure_id":13498,"section_number":"36-96.3:1","catch_line":"Rights and responsibilities with respect to the use of an assistance animal in a dwelling","url":"\/36-96.3_1\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.3_1","metadata":false},{"id":58480,"structure_id":13498,"section_number":"36-96.3:2","catch_line":"Reasonable accommodations; interactive process","url":"\/36-96.3_2\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.3_2","metadata":false},{"id":65380,"structure_id":13498,"section_number":"36-96.4","catch_line":"Discrimination in residential real estate-related transactions; unlawful practices by lenders, insurers, appraisers, etc.; deposit of state funds in such institutions","url":"\/36-96.4\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.4","metadata":false},{"id":73766,"structure_id":13498,"section_number":"36-96.5","catch_line":"Interference with enjoyment of rights of others under this chapter","url":"\/36-96.5\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.5","metadata":false},{"id":78240,"structure_id":13498,"section_number":"36-96.6","catch_line":"Certain restrictive covenants void; instruments containing such covenants","url":"\/36-96.6\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.6","metadata":false},{"id":61889,"structure_id":13498,"section_number":"36-96.7","catch_line":"Familial status protection not applicable to housing for older persons","url":"\/36-96.7\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.7","metadata":false},{"id":54463,"structure_id":13498,"section_number":"36-96.8","catch_line":"Powers of Real Estate Board and Fair Housing Board","url":"\/36-96.8\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.8","metadata":false},{"id":79606,"structure_id":13498,"section_number":"36-96.9","catch_line":"Procedures for receipt or initiation of complaint; notice to parties; filing of answer","url":"\/36-96.9\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.9","metadata":false}],"next_section":{"id":61134,"structure_id":13498,"section_number":"36-96.10","catch_line":"Procedures for investigation","url":"\/36-96.10\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.10","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/36-96.1\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1972. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 591 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 1972 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 5 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 1973, chapter 358; in 1978, chapter 138; in 1989, chapter 88; in 1991, chapter 557; in 2020, chapters 477<\/a>, 1137<\/a>, and 1140<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":60393,"section_number":"36-105.4","catch_line":"Occupancy standards for residential dwelling units","order_by":null,"url":"\/36-105.4\/"},{"id":71220,"section_number":"36-96.20","catch_line":"Additional powers of the Real Estate Board; action on real estate licenses","order_by":null,"url":"\/36-96.20\/"},{"id":85652,"section_number":"36-96.21","catch_line":"Powers of counties, cities and towns","order_by":null,"url":"\/36-96.21\/"},{"id":65460,"section_number":"36-99.5","catch_line":"Smoke alarms for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing","order_by":null,"url":"\/36-99.5\/"},{"id":73865,"section_number":"54.1-2103","catch_line":"Exemptions from chapter","order_by":null,"url":"\/54.1-2103\/"},{"id":54655,"section_number":"54.1-2343","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/54.1-2343\/"},{"id":65977,"section_number":"55.1-1830","catch_line":"Validity of declaration; corrective amendments","order_by":null,"url":"\/55.1-1830\/"},{"id":68301,"section_number":"55.1-1914","catch_line":"Validity of condominium instruments; discrimination prohibited","order_by":null,"url":"\/55.1-1914\/"},{"id":78546,"section_number":"55.1-1960","catch_line":"Limitation of occupancy of a unit","order_by":null,"url":"\/55.1-1960\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":209183,"object_type":"law","relational_id":65553,"identifier":"36-96.1","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.1","url":"\/36-96.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/36-96.1\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.1","dublin_core":{"Title":"Declaration of policy","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 36-96.1","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> This chapter shall be known and referred to as the Virginia Fair Housing Law<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> It is the policy of the Commonwealth of Virginia to provide for fair housing throughout the Commonwealth, to all its citizens, regardless of race, color, religion<\/span>, national origin, sex, elderliness<\/span>, familial status<\/span>, source of funds<\/span>, sexual orientation, gender identity, military status<\/span>, or disability, and to that end to prohibit discriminatory practices with respect to residential housing by any person<\/span> or group of persons<\/span>, in order<\/span> that the peace, health, safety, prosperity, and general welfare of all the inhabitants of the Commonwealth may be protected and ensured. This law<\/span> shall be deemed an exercise of the police power of the Commonwealth of Virginia for the protection of the people of the Commonwealth. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nDECLARATION OF POLICY (\u00a7 36-96.1)\n\nA. This chapter shall be known and referred to as the Virginia Fair Housing Law.\n\nB. It is the policy of the Commonwealth of Virginia to provide for fair housing\nthroughout the Commonwealth, to all its citizens, regardless of race, color,\nreligion, national origin, sex, elderliness, familial status, source of funds,\nsexual orientation, gender identity, military status, or disability, and to that\nend to prohibit discriminatory practices with respect to residential housing by\nany person or group of persons, in order that the peace, health, safety,\nprosperity, and general welfare of all the inhabitants of the Commonwealth may\nbe protected and ensured. This law shall be deemed an exercise of the police\npower of the Commonwealth of Virginia for the protection of the people of the\nCommonwealth.\n\nHISTORY: 1972, c. 591, \u00a7\u00a7 36-86, 36-87; 1973, c. 358; 1978, c. 138; 1989, c.\n88; 1991, c. 557; 2020, cc. 477, 1137, 1140; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 477, 478.","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}}