Code of Virginia
Chapter 5.1 - Virginia Fair Housing Law
§ 36-96.1. Declaration of policy

A. This chapter shall be known and referred to as the Virginia Fair Housing Law.
B. 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.
1972, c. 591, §§ 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.

Structure Code of Virginia

Code of Virginia

Title 36 - Housing

Chapter 5.1 - Virginia Fair Housing Law

§ 36-96.1. Declaration of policy

§ 36-96.1:1. Definitions

§ 36-96.2. Exemptions

§ 36-96.3. Unlawful discriminatory housing practices

§ 36-96.3:1. Rights and responsibilities with respect to the use of an assistance animal in a dwelling

§ 36-96.3:2. Reasonable accommodations; interactive process

§ 36-96.4. Discrimination in residential real estate-related transactions; unlawful practices by lenders, insurers, appraisers, etc.; deposit of state funds in such institutions

§ 36-96.5. Interference with enjoyment of rights of others under this chapter

§ 36-96.6. Certain restrictive covenants void; instruments containing such covenants

§ 36-96.7. Familial status protection not applicable to housing for older persons

§ 36-96.8. Powers of Real Estate Board and Fair Housing Board

§ 36-96.9. Procedures for receipt or initiation of complaint; notice to parties; filing of answer

§ 36-96.10. Procedures for investigation

§ 36-96.11. Reasonable cause determination and effect

§ 36-96.12. No reasonable cause determination and effect

§ 36-96.13. Conciliation

§ 36-96.14. Issuance of a charge

§ 36-96.15. Prompt judicial action

§ 36-96.16. Civil action by Attorney General upon referral of charge by the Real Estate Board

§ 36-96.17. 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

§ 36-96.18. Civil action; enforcement by private parties

§ 36-96.19. Witness fees

§ 36-96.20. Additional powers of the Real Estate Board; action on real estate licenses

§ 36-96.21. Powers of counties, cities and towns

§ 36-96.22. Repealed

§ 36-96.23. Construction of law