{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/36-96.1_1.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/36-96.1_1.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/36-96.1_1.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/36-96.1_1.html"}],"law_id":62921,"edition_id":1,"section_id":62921,"structure_id":13498,"section_number":"36-96.1:1","catch_line":"Definitions","history":"1972, c. 591, \u00a7 36-87; 1973, c. 358; 1978, c. 138; 1989, c. 88; 1991, c. 557; 1992, c. 322; 1996, c. 77; 2003, c. 575; 2017, cc. 575, 729; 2020, cc. 477, 1137, 1140; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 477, 478; 2022, c. 799; 2023, cc. 148, 149.","full_text":"For the purposes of this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:\n\t\t“Aggrieved person” means any person who (i) claims to have been injured by a discriminatory housing practice or (ii) believes that such person will be injured by a discriminatory housing practice that is about to occur.\n\t\t“Assistance animal” means an animal that works, provides assistance, or performs tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability, or provides emotional support that alleviates one or more identified symptoms or effects of a person’s disability. Assistance animals perform many disability-related functions, including guiding individuals who are blind or have low vision, alerting individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing to sounds, providing protection or rescue assistance, pulling a wheelchair, fetching items, alerting persons to impending seizures, or providing emotional support to persons with disabilities who have a disability-related need for such support. An assistance animal is not required to be individually trained or certified. While dogs are the most common type of assistance animal, other animals can also be assistance animals. An assistance animal is not a pet.\n\t\t“Complainant” means a person, including the Fair Housing Board, who files a complaint under \u00a7 36-96.9.\n\t\t“Conciliation” means the attempted resolution of issues raised by a complainant, or by the investigation of such complaint, through informal negotiations involving the aggrieved person, the respondent, their respective authorized representatives and the Fair Housing Board.\n\t\t“Conciliation agreement” means a written agreement setting forth the resolution of the issues in conciliation.\n\t\t“Disability” means, with respect to a person, (i) a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of such person’s major life activities; (ii) a record of having such an impairment; or (iii) being regarded as having such an impairment. The term does not include current, illegal use of or addiction to a controlled substance as defined in Virginia or federal law.\n\t\t“Discriminatory housing practices” means an act that is unlawful under \u00a7 36-96.3, 36-96.4, 36-96.5, or 36-96.6.\n\t\t“Dwelling” means any building, structure, or portion thereof that is occupied as, or designated or intended for occupancy as, a residence by one or more families, and any vacant land that is offered for sale or lease for the construction or location thereon of any such building, structure, or portion thereof.\n\t\t“Elderliness” means an individual who has attained his fifty-fifth birthday.\n\t\t“Familial status” means one or more individuals who have not attained the age of 18 years being domiciled with (i) a parent or other person having legal custody of such individual or individuals or (ii) the designee of such parent or other person having custody with the written permission of such parent or other person. The term “familial status” also includes any person who is pregnant or is in the process of securing legal custody of any individual who has not attained the age of 18 years. For purposes of this section, “in the process of securing legal custody” means having filed an appropriate petition to obtain legal custody of such minor in a court of competent jurisdiction.\n\t\t“Family” includes a single individual, whether male or female.\n\t\t“Lending institution” includes any bank, savings institution, credit union, insurance company or mortgage lender.\n\t\t“Major life activities” includes any the following functions: caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, and working.\n\t\t“Military status” means status as (i) a member of the uniformed forces, as defined in 10 U.S.C. \u00a7 101(a)(5), of the United States or a reserve component thereof named under 10 U.S.C. \u00a7 10101, (ii) a veteran as defined in 38 U.S.C. \u00a7 101(2), or (iii) a dependent as defined in 50 U.S.C. \u00a7 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“Person” means one or more individuals, whether male or female, corporations, partnerships, associations, labor organizations, fair housing organizations, civil rights organizations, organizations, governmental entities, legal representatives, mutual companies, joint stock companies, trusts, unincorporated organizations, trustees, trustees in bankruptcy, receivers and fiduciaries.\n\t\t“Physical or mental impairment” includes any of the following: (i) any physiological disorder or condition, cosmetic disfigurement, or anatomical loss affecting one or more of the following body systems: neurological; musculoskeletal; special sense organs; respiratory, including speech organs; cardiovascular; reproductive; digestive; genito-urinary; hemic and lymphatic; skin; or endocrine or (ii) any mental or psychological disorder, such as an intellectual or developmental disability, organic brain syndrome, emotional or mental illness, or specific learning disability. “Physical or mental impairment” includes such diseases and conditions as orthopedic, visual, speech, and hearing impairments; cerebral palsy; autism; epilepsy; muscular dystrophy; multiple sclerosis; cancer; heart disease; diabetes; human immunodeficiency virus infection; intellectual and developmental disabilities; emotional illness; drug addiction other than addiction caused by current, illegal use of a controlled substance; and alcoholism.\n\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“Respondent” means any person or other entity alleged to have violated the provisions of this chapter, as stated in a complaint filed under the provisions of this chapter and any other person joined pursuant to the provisions of \u00a7 36-96.9.\n\t\t“Restrictive covenant” means any specification in any instrument affecting title to real property that purports to limit the use, occupancy, transfer, rental, or lease of any dwelling because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, elderliness, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military status, or disability.\n\t\t“Source of funds” means any source that lawfully provides funds to or on behalf of a renter or buyer of housing, including any assistance, benefit, or subsidy program, whether such program is administered by a governmental or nongovernmental entity.\n\t\t“To rent” means to lease, to sublease, to let, or otherwise to grant for consideration the right to occupy premises not owned by the occupant.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":229515,"text":"For the purposes of this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:\n\t\t“Aggrieved person” means any person who (i) claims to have been injured by a discriminatory housing practice or (ii) believes that such person will be injured by a discriminatory housing practice that is about to occur.\n\t\t“Assistance animal” means an animal that works, provides assistance, or performs tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability, or provides emotional support that alleviates one or more identified symptoms or effects of a person’s disability. Assistance animals perform many disability-related functions, including guiding individuals who are blind or have low vision, alerting individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing to sounds, providing protection or rescue assistance, pulling a wheelchair, fetching items, alerting persons to impending seizures, or providing emotional support to persons with disabilities who have a disability-related need for such support. An assistance animal is not required to be individually trained or certified. While dogs are the most common type of assistance animal, other animals can also be assistance animals. An assistance animal is not a pet.\n\t\t“Complainant” means a person, including the Fair Housing Board, who files a complaint under \u00a7 36-96.9.\n\t\t“Conciliation” means the attempted resolution of issues raised by a complainant, or by the investigation of such complaint, through informal negotiations involving the aggrieved person, the respondent, their respective authorized representatives and the Fair Housing Board.\n\t\t“Conciliation agreement” means a written agreement setting forth the resolution of the issues in conciliation.\n\t\t“Disability” means, with respect to a person, (i) a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of such person’s major life activities; (ii) a record of having such an impairment; or (iii) being regarded as having such an impairment. The term does not include current, illegal use of or addiction to a controlled substance as defined in Virginia or federal law.\n\t\t“Discriminatory housing practices” means an act that is unlawful under \u00a7 36-96.3, 36-96.4, 36-96.5, or 36-96.6.\n\t\t“Dwelling” means any building, structure, or portion thereof that is occupied as, or designated or intended for occupancy as, a residence by one or more families, and any vacant land that is offered for sale or lease for the construction or location thereon of any such building, structure, or portion thereof.\n\t\t“Elderliness” means an individual who has attained his fifty-fifth birthday.\n\t\t“Familial status” means one or more individuals who have not attained the age of 18 years being domiciled with (i) a parent or other person having legal custody of such individual or individuals or (ii) the designee of such parent or other person having custody with the written permission of such parent or other person. The term “familial status” also includes any person who is pregnant or is in the process of securing legal custody of any individual who has not attained the age of 18 years. For purposes of this section, “in the process of securing legal custody” means having filed an appropriate petition to obtain legal custody of such minor in a court of competent jurisdiction.\n\t\t“Family” includes a single individual, whether male or female.\n\t\t“Lending institution” includes any bank, savings institution, credit union, insurance company or mortgage lender.\n\t\t“Major life activities” includes any the following functions: caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, and working.\n\t\t“Military status” means status as (i) a member of the uniformed forces, as defined in 10 U.S.C. \u00a7 101(a)(5), of the United States or a reserve component thereof named under 10 U.S.C. \u00a7 10101, (ii) a veteran as defined in 38 U.S.C. \u00a7 101(2), or (iii) a dependent as defined in 50 U.S.C. \u00a7 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“Person” means one or more individuals, whether male or female, corporations, partnerships, associations, labor organizations, fair housing organizations, civil rights organizations, organizations, governmental entities, legal representatives, mutual companies, joint stock companies, trusts, unincorporated organizations, trustees, trustees in bankruptcy, receivers and fiduciaries.\n\t\t“Physical or mental impairment” includes any of the following: (i) any physiological disorder or condition, cosmetic disfigurement, or anatomical loss affecting one or more of the following body systems: neurological; musculoskeletal; special sense organs; respiratory, including speech organs; cardiovascular; reproductive; digestive; genito-urinary; hemic and lymphatic; skin; or endocrine or (ii) any mental or psychological disorder, such as an intellectual or developmental disability, organic brain syndrome, emotional or mental illness, or specific learning disability. “Physical or mental impairment” includes such diseases and conditions as orthopedic, visual, speech, and hearing impairments; cerebral palsy; autism; epilepsy; muscular dystrophy; multiple sclerosis; cancer; heart disease; diabetes; human immunodeficiency virus infection; intellectual and developmental disabilities; emotional illness; drug addiction other than addiction caused by current, illegal use of a controlled substance; and alcoholism.\n\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“Respondent” means any person or other entity alleged to have violated the provisions of this chapter, as stated in a complaint filed under the provisions of this chapter and any other person joined pursuant to the provisions of \u00a7 36-96.9.\n\t\t“Restrictive covenant” means any specification in any instrument affecting title to real property that purports to limit the use, occupancy, transfer, rental, or lease of any dwelling because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, elderliness, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military status, or disability.\n\t\t“Source of funds” means any source that lawfully provides funds to or on behalf of a renter or buyer of housing, including any assistance, benefit, or subsidy program, whether such program is administered by a governmental or nongovernmental entity.\n\t\t“To rent” means to lease, to sublease, to let, or otherwise to grant for consideration the right to occupy premises not owned by the occupant.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"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}],"previous_section":{"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},"next_section":{"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},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/36-96.1:1\/","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 11 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 1992, chapter 322; in 1996, chapter 77<\/a>; in 2003, chapter 575<\/a>; in 2017, chapters 575<\/a> and 729<\/a>; in 2020, chapters 477<\/a>, 1137<\/a>, and 1140<\/a>; in 2022, chapter 799<\/a>; in 2023, chapters 148<\/a> and 149<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":61027,"section_number":"19.2-392.15","catch_line":"(Effective July 1, 2026) Prohibited practices by employers, educational institutions, agencies, etc., of state and local governments; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-392.15\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":80070,"section_number":"36-96.3","catch_line":"Unlawful discriminatory housing practices","order_by":null,"url":"\/36-96.3\/"},{"id":65380,"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","order_by":null,"url":"\/36-96.4\/"},{"id":73766,"section_number":"36-96.5","catch_line":"Interference with enjoyment of rights of others under this chapter","order_by":null,"url":"\/36-96.5\/"},{"id":78240,"section_number":"36-96.6","catch_line":"Certain restrictive covenants void; instruments containing such covenants","order_by":null,"url":"\/36-96.6\/"},{"id":79606,"section_number":"36-96.9","catch_line":"Procedures for receipt or initiation of complaint; notice to parties; filing of answer","order_by":null,"url":"\/36-96.9\/"}],"permalink":{"id":209227,"object_type":"law","relational_id":62921,"identifier":"36-96.1:1","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.1_1","url":"\/36-96.1_1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/36-96.1_1\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.1_1","dublin_core":{"Title":"Definitions","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 36-96.1:1","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

For the purposes of this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:\n\t\t“Aggrieved person<\/span>” means any person who (i) claims to have been injured by a discriminatory housing practice or (ii) believes that such person will be injured by a discriminatory housing practice that is about to occur.\n\t\t“Assistance animal<\/span>” means an animal that works, provides assistance, or performs tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability, or provides emotional support that alleviates one or more identified symptoms or effects of a person’s disability. Assistance animals<\/span> perform many disability-related functions, including guiding individuals who are blind or have low vision, alerting individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing<\/span> to sounds, providing protection or rescue assistance, pulling a wheelchair, fetching items, alerting persons<\/span> to impending seizures, or providing emotional support to persons<\/span> with disabilities who have a disability-related need for such support. An assistance animal<\/span> is not required to be individually trained or certified. While dogs are the most common type of assistance animal<\/span>, other animals can also be assistance animals<\/span>. An assistance animal<\/span> is not a pet.\n\t\t“Complainant<\/span>” means a person, including the Fair Housing Board, who files a complaint under \u00a7 36-96.9<\/a>.\n\t\t“Conciliation” means the attempted resolution of issues<\/span> raised by a complainant<\/span>, or by the investigation of such complaint, through informal negotiations involving the aggrieved person<\/span>, the respondent<\/span>, their respective authorized representatives and the Fair Housing Board.\n\t\t“Conciliation agreement<\/span>” means a written agreement setting forth the resolution of the issues<\/span> in conciliation.\n\t\t“Disability” means, with respect to a person, (i) a physical or mental impairment<\/span> that substantially limits one or more of such person’s major life activities<\/span>; (ii) a record of having such an impairment; or (iii) being regarded as having such an impairment. The term does not include current, illegal use of or addiction to a controlled substance as defined in Virginia or federal law<\/span>.\n\t\t“Discriminatory housing practices<\/span>” means an act that is unlawful under \u00a7 36-96.3<\/a>, 36-96.4<\/a>, 36-96.5<\/a>, or 36-96.6<\/a>.\n\t\t“Dwelling<\/span>” means any building, structure, or portion thereof that is occupied as, or designated or intended for occupancy as, a residence by one or more families, and any vacant land that is offered for sale or lease for the construction or location thereon of any such building, structure, or portion thereof.\n\t\t“Elderliness<\/span>” means an individual who has attained his fifty-fifth birthday.\n\t\t“Familial status<\/span>” means one or more individuals who have not attained the age of 18 years being domiciled with (i) a parent or other person having legal custody of such individual or individuals or (ii) the designee of such parent or other person having custody with the written permission of such parent or other person. The term “familial status<\/span>” also includes any person who is pregnant or is in the process of securing legal custody<\/span> of any individual who has not attained the age of 18 years. For purposes of this section, “in the process of securing legal custody<\/span>” means having filed an appropriate petition<\/span> to obtain legal custody of such minor<\/span> in a court<\/span> of competent jurisdiction<\/span>.\n\t\t“Family<\/span>” includes a single individual, whether male or female.\n\t\t“Lending institution<\/span>” includes any bank, savings institution, credit union, insurance company or mortgage lender.\n\t\t“Major life activities<\/span>” includes any the following functions: caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing<\/span>, speaking, breathing, learning, and working.\n\t\t“Military status<\/span>” means status as (i) a member of the uniformed forces, as defined in 10 U.S.C. \u00a7 101(a)(5), of the United States or a reserve component thereof named under 10 U.S.C. \u00a7 10101, (ii) a veteran as defined in 38 U.S.C. \u00a7 101(2), or (iii) a dependent as defined in 50 U.S.C. \u00a7 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“Person” means one or more individuals, whether male or female, corporations, partnerships, associations, labor organizations, fair housing organizations, civil rights organizations, organizations, governmental entities, legal representatives, mutual companies, joint stock companies, trusts, unincorporated organizations, trustees, trustees in bankruptcy<\/span>, receivers and fiduciaries.\n\t\t“Physical or mental impairment<\/span>” includes any of the following: (i) any physiological disorder or condition, cosmetic disfigurement, or anatomical loss affecting one or more of the following body systems: neurological; musculoskeletal; special sense organs; respiratory, including speech organs; cardiovascular; reproductive; digestive; genito-urinary; hemic and lymphatic; skin; or endocrine or (ii) any mental or psychological disorder, such as an intellectual or developmental disability, organic brain syndrome, emotional or mental illness, or specific learning disability. “Physical or mental impairment<\/span>” includes such diseases and conditions as orthopedic, visual, speech, and hearing<\/span> impairments; cerebral palsy; autism; epilepsy; muscular dystrophy; multiple sclerosis; cancer; heart disease; diabetes; human immunodeficiency virus infection; intellectual and developmental disabilities; emotional illness; drug addiction other than addiction caused by current, illegal use of a controlled substance; and alcoholism.\n\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“Respondent<\/span>” means any person or other entity alleged to have violated the provisions of this chapter, as stated in a complaint filed under the provisions of this chapter and any other person joined pursuant to the provisions of \u00a7 36-96.9<\/a>.\n\t\t“Restrictive covenant<\/span>” means any specification in any instrument affecting title to real property that purports to limit the use, occupancy, transfer, rental, or lease of any dwelling<\/span> because of race, color, religion<\/span>, national origin, sex, elderliness<\/span>, familial status<\/span>, sexual orientation, gender identity, military status<\/span>, or disability.\n\t\t“Source of funds<\/span>” means any source that lawfully provides funds to or on behalf of a renter or buyer of housing, including any assistance, benefit, or subsidy program, whether such program is administered by a governmental or nongovernmental entity.\n\t\t“To rent<\/span>” means to lease, to sublease, to let, or otherwise to grant for consideration the right to occupy premises not owned by the occupant.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nDEFINITIONS (\u00a7 36-96.1:1)\n\nFor the purposes of this chapter, unless the context requires a different\nmeaning:\n\t\t“Aggrieved person” means any person who (i) claims to have been\ninjured by a discriminatory housing practice or (ii) believes that such person\nwill be injured by a discriminatory housing practice that is about to occur.\n\t\t“Assistance animal” means an animal that works, provides\nassistance, or performs tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability, or\nprovides emotional support that alleviates one or more identified symptoms or\neffects of a person’s disability. Assistance animals perform many\ndisability-related functions, including guiding individuals who are blind or\nhave low vision, alerting individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing to sounds,\nproviding protection or rescue assistance, pulling a wheelchair, fetching items,\nalerting persons to impending seizures, or providing emotional support to\npersons with disabilities who have a disability-related need for such support.\nAn assistance animal is not required to be individually trained or certified.\nWhile dogs are the most common type of assistance animal, other animals can also\nbe assistance animals. An assistance animal is not a pet.\n\t\t“Complainant” means a person, including the Fair Housing Board,\nwho files a complaint under \u00a7 36-96.9.\n\t\t“Conciliation” means the attempted resolution of issues raised by\na complainant, or by the investigation of such complaint, through informal\nnegotiations involving the aggrieved person, the respondent, their respective\nauthorized representatives and the Fair Housing Board.\n\t\t“Conciliation agreement” means a written agreement setting forth\nthe resolution of the issues in conciliation.\n\t\t“Disability” means, with respect to a person, (i) a physical or\nmental impairment that substantially limits one or more of such person’s\nmajor life activities; (ii) a record of having such an impairment; or (iii)\nbeing regarded as having such an impairment. The term does not include current,\nillegal use of or addiction to a controlled substance as defined in Virginia or\nfederal law.\n\t\t“Discriminatory housing practices” means an act that is unlawful\nunder \u00a7 36-96.3, 36-96.4, 36-96.5, or 36-96.6.\n\t\t“Dwelling” means any building, structure, or portion thereof that\nis occupied as, or designated or intended for occupancy as, a residence by one\nor more families, and any vacant land that is offered for sale or lease for the\nconstruction or location thereon of any such building, structure, or portion\nthereof.\n\t\t“Elderliness” means an individual who has attained his fifty-fifth\nbirthday.\n\t\t“Familial status” means one or more individuals who have not\nattained the age of 18 years being domiciled with (i) a parent or other person\nhaving legal custody of such individual or individuals or (ii) the designee of\nsuch parent or other person having custody with the written permission of such\nparent or other person. The term “familial status” also includes any\nperson who is pregnant or is in the process of securing legal custody of any\nindividual who has not attained the age of 18 years. For purposes of this\nsection, “in the process of securing legal custody” means having\nfiled an appropriate petition to obtain legal custody of such minor in a court\nof competent jurisdiction.\n\t\t“Family” includes a single individual, whether male or female.\n\t\t“Lending institution” includes any bank, savings institution,\ncredit union, insurance company or mortgage lender.\n\t\t“Major life activities” includes any the following functions:\ncaring for oneself, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking,\nbreathing, learning, and working.\n\t\t“Military status” means status as (i) a member of the uniformed\nforces, as defined in 10 U.S.C. \u00a7 101(a)(5), of the United States or a reserve\ncomponent thereof named under 10 U.S.C. \u00a7 10101, (ii) a veteran as defined in\n38 U.S.C. \u00a7 101(2), or (iii) a dependent as defined in 50 U.S.C. \u00a7 3911(4)\nexcept that the support provided by the service member to the individual shall\nhave been provided 180 days immediately preceding an alleged action that if\nproven true would constitute unlawful discrimination under this section instead\nof 180 days immediately preceding an application for relief under 50 U.S.C.\nChapter 50.\n\t\t“Person” means one or more individuals, whether male or female,\ncorporations, partnerships, associations, labor organizations, fair housing\norganizations, civil rights organizations, organizations, governmental entities,\nlegal representatives, mutual companies, joint stock companies, trusts,\nunincorporated organizations, trustees, trustees in bankruptcy, receivers and\nfiduciaries.\n\t\t“Physical or mental impairment” includes any of the following: (i)\nany physiological disorder or condition, cosmetic disfigurement, or anatomical\nloss affecting one or more of the following body systems: neurological;\nmusculoskeletal; special sense organs; respiratory, including speech organs;\ncardiovascular; reproductive; digestive; genito-urinary; hemic and lymphatic;\nskin; or endocrine or (ii) any mental or psychological disorder, such as an\nintellectual or developmental disability, organic brain syndrome, emotional or\nmental illness, or specific learning disability. “Physical or mental\nimpairment” includes such diseases and conditions as orthopedic, visual,\nspeech, and hearing impairments; cerebral palsy; autism; epilepsy; muscular\ndystrophy; multiple sclerosis; cancer; heart disease; diabetes; human\nimmunodeficiency virus infection; intellectual and developmental disabilities;\nemotional illness; drug addiction other than addiction caused by current,\nillegal use of a controlled substance; and alcoholism.\n\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“Respondent” means any person or other entity alleged to have\nviolated the provisions of this chapter, as stated in a complaint filed under\nthe provisions of this chapter and any other person joined pursuant to the\nprovisions of \u00a7 36-96.9.\n\t\t“Restrictive covenant” means any specification in any instrument\naffecting title to real property that purports to limit the use, occupancy,\ntransfer, rental, or lease of any dwelling because of race, color, religion,\nnational origin, sex, elderliness, familial status, sexual orientation, gender\nidentity, military status, or disability.\n\t\t“Source of funds” means any source that lawfully provides funds to\nor on behalf of a renter or buyer of housing, including any assistance, benefit,\nor subsidy program, whether such program is administered by a governmental or\nnongovernmental entity.\n\t\t“To rent” means to lease, to sublease, to let, or otherwise to\ngrant for consideration the right to occupy premises not owned by the occupant.\n\nHISTORY: 1972, c. 591, \u00a7 36-87; 1973, c. 358; 1978, c. 138; 1989, c. 88; 1991,\nc. 557; 1992, c. 322; 1996, c. 77; 2003, c. 575; 2017, cc. 575, 729; 2020, cc.\n477, 1137, 1140; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 477, 478; 2022, c. 799; 2023, cc. 148,\n149.","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}}