Non-Discrimination Ordinance

On March 22, 2022, the Denton City Council approved the City's first comprehensive non-discrimination ordinance. The ordinance prohibits discrimination in the City of Denton based on a set of protected classes. The ordinance has a delayed effective date of one hundred-twenty days to provide time for public education and to establish the necessary processes outlined in the ordinance, including finding independent third-parties to handle the investigation and mediation processes outlined in the ordinance. The ordinance will become effective on July 20, 2022. 

The non-discrimination ordinance prohibits discrimination in housing, employment, and public accommodations based on the following protected classes: race, color, national origin, age, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity. The language in the ordinance generally mirrors language in federal and state non-discrimination laws. The following is provided as a brief overview only.

Staff continues to develop educational and reporting materials, and will update this webpage as information becomes available.

Once the ordinance becomes effective on July 20, 2022, an individual who claims to have been discriminated against in violation of the ordinance may file a complaint, made under oath or affirmation, on a form prescribed by the City within ninety (90) calendar days after an alleged unlawful practice has occurred. Forms and reporting materials will be available on this page by July 20.

If a complaint is within the jurisdiction of a federal or state agency, the City will refer the complainant to the appropriate agency and take no further action. At this time, all complaints of discrimination related to Housing or Employment on the list of protected classes would be referred to the respective federal or state agency.