Fair Housing: Pennsylvania

This page is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute, and should not be construed as, legal advice. This page is not intended to provide a mandatory standard of care for the industry. Please consult with local counsel before taking any action based off of the information provided. 

On these pages, you will find information about 1) the protected classes in each state’s fair housing law, 2) protected classes in the cities and counties in the state’s three largest city or metropolitan areas, and 3) protected class information in additional jurisdictions of interest to NAA members. We highlight source of income protections, where applicable, that could substantially impact industry operations. Please see the footnotes. NAA also has resources on the federal fair housing protections that apply nationwide.

We are currently in the process of optimizing NAA’s Fair Housing Protected Class Resources. If you do not see a jurisdiction of interest, please reach out to the NAA Government Affairs Team at [email protected].

Information on this page is current as of September 2022.

Pennsylvania Protected Classes

(State of Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes Title 43 P.S. Labor § 955 [h])

  • Race
  • Color
  • National Origin
  • Religion
  • Sex1
  • Familial Status
  • Disability
  • Age
  • Ancestry
  • Use of a Support Animal

1Sex as defined by the PA Human Relations Commission may refer to sex assigned at birth, sexual orientation, transgender identity, gender transition, gender identity, and/or gender expression depending on the individual facts of the case.

2The PA State Supreme Court has found that local ordinances on Source of Income impose requirements and duties on businesses not allowed under PAs Home-Rule laws. This ruling preempts any local source of income protections.

This section includes relevant county and city information. Note there could be differences or overlap in the laws’ housing provider obligations.

(Lehigh County Resolutions & Ordinances)

In addition to enforcement of federal and state protected classes, this jurisdiction also includes the following protected classes:

  • Sexual Orientation3
  • Marital Status3

City of Allentown Protected Classes

(City of Allentown Municipal Code §27-4)​

In addition to enforcement of federal and state, and county protected classes, this jurisdiction also includes the following protected classes:

  • Gender Identity/Expression
  • Sexual Orientation
  • Source of Income4

3Class is listed in a local fair housing source, but not found in codified law.

4The PA State Supreme Court has found that local ordinances on Source of Income impose requirements and duties on businesses not allowed under PAs Home-Rule laws. This ruling preempts any local source of income protections.

This section includes relevant county and city information. Note there could be differences or overlap in the laws’ housing provider obligations.

(Northampton Ordinances)

This jurisdiction emphasizes enforcement of federal and state protected classes

Bethlehem Protected Classes

(Bethlehem Article 1737, Fair Housing Ordinance)

In addition to enforcement of federal and state protected classes, this jurisdiction also includes the following protected classes:

  • Gender Expression/Identity
  • Genetic Information
  • Marital Status
  • Use of Mechanical Aids

This section includes relevant county and city information. Note there could be differences or overlap in the laws’ housing provider obligations.

This jurisdiction emphasizes enforcement of federal and state protected classes

Bloomsburg Protected Classes

(Bloomsburg Municipal Code §§ 6-1001 et seq.)

In addition to enforcement of federal and state protected classes, this jurisdiction also includes the following protected classes:

  • Gender Expression/Identity
  • Genetic Information
  • Marital Status
  • Use of a Mechanical Aid
  • Veteran Status

This section includes relevant county and city information. Note there could be differences or overlap in the laws’ housing provider obligations.

(Bucks County Ordinances and Resolutions)

This jurisdiction emphasizes enforcement of federal and state protected classes

Langhorne Protected Classes

(Langhorne Ordinances)

This jurisdiction emphasizes enforcement of federal, state, and county protected classes

This section includes relevant county and city information. Note there could be differences or overlap in the laws’ housing provider obligations.

(Chester County Fair Housing)

This jurisdiction emphasizes enforcement of federal and state protected classes

Paoli Protected Classes

Paoli is a Census Designated Place within Chester County

Phoenixville Protected Classes

(Phoenixville Municipal Code §§ 6-1101; 6-1103)

In addition to enforcement of federal and state protected classes, this jurisdiction also includes the following protected classes:

  • Gender Expression/Identity
  • Marital Status
  • Use of Mechanical Aids

West Chester Protected Classes

(West Chester Municipal Code §§ 37A-1, et seq.)

In addition to enforcement of federal and state protected classes, this jurisdiction also includes the following protected classes:

  • Gender Expression/Identity
  • Marital Status
  • Use of Mechanical Aids

This section includes relevant county and city information. Note there could be differences or overlap in the laws’ housing provider obligations.

(Delaware County Ordinances)

This jurisdiction emphasizes enforcement of federal and state protected classes

Chadds Ford Protected Classes

(Chadds Ford Municipal Code)

This jurisdiction emphasizes enforcement of federal, state, and county protected classes

This section includes relevant county and city information. Note there could be differences or overlap in the laws’ housing provider obligations.

(Montgomery County Ordinances)

This jurisdiction emphasizes enforcement of federal and state protected classes

Bala Cynwyd Protected Classes

(Bala Cynwyd is a community in Lower Merion Township; see Lower Merion Township Code §§ 93-1, et seq.)

In addition to enforcement of federal and state protected classes, this jurisdiction also includes the following protected classes:

  • Gender Expression/Identity

King of Prussia Protected Classes

(King of Prussia is a census-designated place in Upper Merion Township; see Upper Merion Municipal Code §§100-1 et seq.)

In addition to enforcement of federal and state protected classes, this jurisdiction also includes the following protected classes:

  • Gender Expression/Identity

(City of Philadelphia Municipal Code §§ 9-1108 et seq.)​

Philadelphia is a consolidated City-County.

In addition to enforcement of federal and state, and county protected classes, this jurisdiction also includes the following protected classes:

  • Ethnicity
  • Gender Identity
  • Sexual Orientation
  • Marital Status
  • Source of Income5
  • Victim of Domestic or Sexual Violence

5Source of Income includes any lawful source of income, and shall include, but not be limited to, earned income, child support, alimony, insurance and pension proceeds; all forms of public assistance, including Temporary Assistance for Needy Families; and housing assistance programs. HOWEVER, The PA State Supreme Court has found that local ordinances on Source of Income impose requirements and duties on businesses not allowed under PAs Home-Rule laws. This ruling preempts any local source of income protections.

This section includes relevant county and city information. Note there could be differences or overlap in the laws’ housing provider obligations.

(Allegheny County Code § 215-33)​

In addition to enforcement of federal and state protected classes, this jurisdiction also includes the following protected classes:

  • Gender Identity
  • Gender Expression
  • Sexual Orientation
  • Marital Status

City of Pittsburgh Protected Classes

(City of Pittsburgh Municipal Code § 659.03)​

In addition to enforcement of federal and state, and county protected classes, this jurisdiction also includes the following protected classes:

  • Victim of Domestic Violence
  • Immigration/Citizenship Status
  • Preferred Language
  • Source of Income6
  • Protective and Cultural hairstyles and textures7

Bethel Park Protected Classes

(Bethel Park Municipal Code § 5-3)

In addition to enforcement of federal and state protected classes, this jurisdiction also includes the following protected classes:

  • Place of Birth
  • Political Beliefs

6All lawful sources of income or rental assistance program, including, but not limited to, earned income, child support, alimony, insurance and pension proceeds, and all forms of public assistance including federal, state and local housing assistance programs. This includes the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program. HOWEVER, The PA State Supreme Court has found that local ordinances on Source of Income impose requirements and duties on businesses not allowed under PAs Home-Rule laws.. This ruling preempts any local source of income protections.

7Hairstyles and hair textures most commonly associated with race including, but not limited to, braids, cornrows, locs, Bantu knots, afros, and twists, whether or not hair extensions or treatments are used to create or maintain any such style, and whether or not hair is adorned by hair ornaments, beads, or headwraps.

This section includes relevant county and city information. Note there could be differences or overlap in the laws’ housing provider obligations.

(Fayette County Government and Records)

This jurisdiction emphasizes enforcement of federal and state protected classes

Brownsville Protected Classes

(Brownsville Document Center)8

This jurisdiction emphasizes enforcement of federal, state, and county protected classes

 

8Brownsville code and ordinances need to be looked up at the borough office. 

This section includes relevant county and city information. Note there could be differences or overlap in the laws’ housing provider obligations.

(Washington County Ordinances)

This jurisdiction emphasizes enforcement of federal and state protected classes

This section includes relevant county and city information. Note there could be differences or overlap in the laws’ housing provider obligations.

(Westmoreland Commissioners)

This jurisdiction emphasizes enforcement of federal and state protected classes

This section includes relevant county and city information. Note there could be differences or overlap in the laws’ housing provider obligations.

(Berks County Ordinances)

This jurisdiction emphasizes enforcement of federal and state protected classes

 

This section includes relevant county and city information. Note there could be differences or overlap in the laws’ housing provider obligations.

(Centre County Resolution 9 of 2021)

This jurisdiction emphasizes enforcement of federal and state protected classes

State College Protected Classes

(State College Municipal Code § V-5-504)

In addition to enforcement of federal and state protected classes, this jurisdiction also includes the following protected classes:

  • Gender Expression
  • Marital Status
  • Source of Income9

9The PA State Supreme Court has found that local ordinances on Source of Income impose requirements and duties on businesses not allowed under PAs Home-Rule laws. This ruling preempts any local source of income protections.

 

This section includes relevant county and city information. Note there could be differences or overlap in the laws’ housing provider obligations.

This jurisdiction emphasizes enforcement of federal and state protected classes

Lock Haven Protected Classes

(Lock Haven Municipal Code)

This jurisdiction emphasizes enforcement of federal, state, and county protected classes