Unfair practices
Seattle Mun. Code § 14.06.030
in effect14.06.030 - Unfair practices
A. Unfair practices as defined in this chapter are contrary to the public peace, health, safety and general welfare and are prohibited by the City in the exercise of its police power.
B. It is an unfair practice for any person to discriminate in a place of public accommodation by:
1. Requiring, directly or indirectly, any person to pay a larger sum than the usual uniform rates; or
2. Refusing or withholding admission, patronage, custom, presence, frequenting, dwelling, staying, or lodging; or
3. Denying, directly or indirectly, the full enjoyment of any available goods, services, accommodations, facilities, privileges, or advantages; or
4. Printing, circulating, issuing, displaying, posting, mailing, or otherwise causing, directly or indirectly, to be published a statement, advertisement, or sign that indicates directly or indirectly that the full enjoyment of the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, and accommodations will be refused, withheld, denied, or in some manner limited or restricted or that an individual's patronage of or presence at a place of public accommodation is objectionable, unwelcome, unacceptable, or undesirable; or
5. Harassing, intimidating, or otherwise abusing any person or person's friends or associates because of race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, caste, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, age, sex, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, gender identity, political ideology, honorably discharged veteran or military status, participation in a Section 8 program, the presence of any disability, the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a disabled person, an individual's actual, potential, perceived, or alleged pregnancy outcomes as defined in Section 14.04.030, or a mother breastfeeding her child with the purpose or effect of denying to such person the rights granted in this Chapter 14.06; or
6. Harassing, intimidating, retaliating, or obstructing a person in any manner because such person complied with or proposed to comply with this Chapter 14.06 or any order issued under this Chapter 14.06, or filed a charge or complaint, testified, or assisted in any investigation, proceeding or hearing under this Chapter 14.06; or
7. Coercing, intimidating, threatening, or otherwise interfering with any person in the exercise or enjoyment of or on account of such person having aided or encouraged any other person in the exercise or enjoyment of any right granted or protected under this Chapter 14.06; or
8. Applying any economic sanctions or denying membership privileges because of compliance with this Chapter 14.06; or
9. Aiding, abetting, inciting, compelling, or coercing the doing of any act defined in this Chapter 14.06 to be an unfair practice; or
10. Attempting to commit any act defined in this Chapter 14.06 to be an unfair practice; or
11. Denying, directly or indirectly, an individual's right to use gender-specific restrooms and other gender-specific facilities in places of public accommodation including but not limited to dressing rooms, locker rooms, homeless shelters, and group homes that are consistent with the individual's gender identity or expression.
C. Compliance with conditions and limitations established by law and applicable to all persons regardless of race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, sex, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, gender identity, political ideology, honorably discharged veteran or military status, participation in a Section 8 program, the presence of a disability, or the use of a service animal by a disabled person is not an unfair practice under this Section 14.06.030.
D. Exemptions. Nothing in this Chapter 14.06 shall be construed to:
1. Apply to any non-commercial facility operated or maintained by a bona fide religious institution;
2. Include or apply to any institute, bona fide club, or place of accommodation which is by its nature distinctly private, provided, however, when or where public use is permitted that use shall be covered under this Chapter 14.06;
3. Prohibit treating disabled persons more favorably than non-disabled persons;
4. Prohibit offering discounts, special prices, or other special arrangements for minor children, families, or senior citizens, or imposing age limits up to the age of 21;
5. Protect criminal conduct; or
6. Prohibit taking any actions reasonably necessary to protect persons or property.
7. Apply when a distinction or differential treatment on the basis of citizenship or immigration status is authorized by federal or state law, regulation, rule, or government contract.
(Ord. No. 126767, § 12, 2023; Ord. 126649, § 11, 2022; Ord. 126627, § 7, 2022; Ord. 126514, § 12, 2021; Ord. 124829, § 6, 2015; Ord. 123863, § 2, 2012; Ord. 123014, § 5, 2009; Ord. 121593, § 29, 2004.)
Source: City of Seattle, Seattle Municipal Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/wa/seattle/codes/municipal_code?nodeId=TIT14HURI_CH14.06UNPUACPR_14.06.030UNPRFetched: 11/1/2026