Discrimination - Tucson Residents

NOTICE

Discrimination in Tucson is unwelcome, illegal and will not be tolerated by the City. Every person or business subject to the Tucson City Code, Chapter 17, must post a notice of non-discrimination in English and Spanish, in a conspicuous place. Under the City's Human Relations Ordinance Tucson Code, Chapter 17, it is unlawful to discriminate on the basis of:

• Race
• Color
• National origin
• Ancestry
• Disability
• Age
• Sexual orientation
• Gender identity
• Religion
• Sex
• Familial status
• Marital status
• Housing (Source of Income)

The Office of Equal Opportunity Programs (OEOP) investigates complaints of discrimination within the city limits of Tucson in:

• Employment
• Public accommodation
• Housing (Source of Income)

Discrimination Complaint - Chapter 17 (City Residents)

In order for the Office of Equal Opportunity Programs to have the legal jurisdiction to investigate a complaint filed under Chapter 17 of the Tucson City Code, the following guidelines must be met:

• The issue must be one of discrimination. NOTE: A prima facie case must be established for the OEOP to begin an investigation. Prima facie is a term that means, "at first glance", and has specific criteria that must be met to determine if you can proceed with your charge of discrimination, sexual harassment, and/or retaliation;
• It is necessary to show that persons of a different group than yours (race, color, religion, ancestry, sex, age, disability, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, familial status and/or marital status) have been treated in a manner different from you and that the difference in treatment has had an adverse impact to your employment, housing or in the refusal or restriction of a facility or service;
• The business against whom the complaint is filed must be located within the City limits;
• The complaint must be filed within 90 calendar days from the date of the alleged discriminatory act or 180 calendar days for housing or disability/accessibility complaints. There are specific organizations that cannot be investigated under authority of this code (See Tucson City Code Section 17-13, 17-51(b) and 17-53). This document is available upon request or you may contact the OEOP for additional information on exclusions.

Housing Discrimination

**NOTICE** Before filing a  SOURCE OF INCOME housing discrimination complaint you must first file a PRE-COMPLAINT form. OEOP must first evaluate the circumstances of your concern to determine if an investigation is necessary. 

• Southwest Fair Housing Council (SWFHC) addresses all other forms of housing discrimination. They have investigation authority and their online complaint form can be accessed HERE. Please contact this organization first with any questions related to housing discrimination. 

Southwest Fair Housing Council Brochure(PDF, 737KB)

Southwest Fair Housing Council Brochure(PDF, 801KB)  (Spanish)

• Housing and Community Development (HCD) should be contacted with questions related to City Public Housing, the Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8), Rapid Rehousing, Eviction Prevention, and other concerns related to affordable and available housing throughout the city. Please Click HERE to access their web pages.

• OEOP is responsible for addressing violations of the housing SOURCE OF INCOME discrimination ordinance #11959 which amends the City's Human Relations Ordinance to prohibit discrimination in housing based on income source. This source of income protection makes it unlawful for landlords, property managers, or sellers to reject a housing application solely based on the applicant’s source of income, including rental assistance such as the Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8), Rapid Rehousing, and other federal, state, or local assistance programs. For more information about source of income protection, visit the City's informational website at: sourceofincome.tucsonaz.gov. Before filing a formal discrimination complaint we recommend you first speak to OEOP or complete the PRE-COMPLAINT FORM to determine if another agency would provide better assistance (520) 791-4593. Please leave a message as necessary, you will be contacted for details.

Discrimination Complaint Form

Chapter 17 External Complaint Form

Chapter 17 External Complaint Form - Spanish(PDF, 135KB)

HOUSING (Source of Income only) PRE-COMPLAINT Form

Other Documents

City Code Chapter 17 - Human Relations(PDF, 7MB)

Notice of Non-Discrimination(PDF, 152KB)

Aviso en Contra de Actos Discriminatorios(PDF, 69KB)