§ 18-20. Definitions.

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Disability means a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a record of having such an impairment or being regarded as having such an impairment. The term "disability" does not include the current illegal use of a controlled substance, as defined in Wis. Stats. § 961.01(4), or a controlled substance analog, as defined in Wis. Stats. § 961.01(4m), unless the individual is participating in a supervised drug rehabilitation program.

Discriminatory housing practice means:

(1)

To refuse to sell or rent after making a bona fide offer, or to refuse to negotiate for the sale or rental of, or make unavailable or deny a dwelling to any person because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual preference, or national origin.

(2)

To 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 therewith, because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual preference, or national origin.

(3)

To make, print, or publish or cause to be made, printed or published any notice, statement or advertisement with respect to the sale or rental of a dwelling that indicates any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual preference, or national origin.

(4)

To represent to any person because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual preference, or national origin that any dwelling is not available for inspection, sale or rental when such dwelling is, in fact, so available.

(5)

For any bank, building and loan association, insurance company or other corporation, association, firm or enterprise whose business consists in the making of commercial real estate loans, to deny a loan or other financial assistance to a person applying therefor for the purpose of purchasing, constructing, improving or maintaining a dwelling or to discriminate against him in the fixing of the amount, interest rate, duration, or terms or conditions of such loan or other financial assistance because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual preference, or national origin of such person.

(6)

To deny any person access to our membership or participation in any multiple-listing service, real estate broker's organization or other service organization, or facility relating to the business of selling or renting dwellings or to discriminate against him in the terms or conditions of such access, membership or participation on account of race, color, religion, sex, sexual preference or national origin.

(7)

To induce directly or indirectly or attempt to induce directly or indirectly the sale, purchase, rental or lease for the listing for any of the above, of any housing accommodation by representations regarding the entry or prospective entry into the neighborhood of a person of a particular race, color, sex, sexual preference, religion, or national origin.

(8)

To retaliate or discriminate in any manner against a person because he has opposed a practice declared unlawful by this article, or because he has filed a complaint, testified, assisted in or participated in any manner in any investigation, proceeding, hearing or conference under this article.

Dwelling means any building, structure, or portion thereof which is occupied as, or designed for occupancy as, a residence by one or more families, and any vacant land which is offered for sale or lease for the construction thereof of any such buildings or structure.

Family includes one or more individuals, corporations, partnerships, associations, labor organizations, legal representatives, mutual companies, joint stock companies, trusts, unincorporated organizations, trustees, trustees in bankruptcy and receivers.

Family status means any of the following conditions that apply to a person seeking to rent or purchase housing or to a member or prospective member of the person's household regardless of the person's marital status:

(1)

A person is pregnant.

(2)

A person is in the process of securing sole or joint legal custody, periods of physical placement or visitation rights of a minor child.

(3)

A person's household includes one or more minor or adult relatives.

(4)

A person's household includes one or more adults or minor children in his legal custody or physical placement or with whom he has visitation rights.

(5)

A person's household includes one or more adults or minor children placed in his care under a court order, under a guardianship or with the written permission of a parent or other person having legal custody of the adult or minor child.

Person includes a single individual.

Sexual orientation has the meaning given in Wis. Stats. § 111.32(13m).

To rent includes to lease, sublease, to let and otherwise grant for a consideration the right to occupy premises not owned by the occupant.

(Code 1984, § 10-7-2)

State law reference

Discrimination prohibited, Wis. Stats. § 106.50(2).