New Jersey Fair Housing Protected Classes
Last verified: 2026-05-01 · 18 protected classes
The New Jersey Law Against Discrimination adds creed, ancestry, marital status, civil union status, domestic partnership status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, military service liability, and source of lawful income to housing protections.
Federal baseline (applies everywhere)
View United States (Federal) referenceSource: Fair Housing Act, 42 USC §§ 3601–3619 · Official text
Race(added 1968)
42 USC § 3604(a)
Color(added 1968)
42 USC § 3604(a)
Religion(added 1968)
42 USC § 3604(a)
National origin(added 1968)
42 USC § 3604(a)
Sex(added 1974)
42 USC § 3604(a)
Familial status(added 1988)
42 USC § 3604(a)
Households with children under 18, including pregnant individuals.
Disability(added 1988)
42 USC § 3604(f)
Originally enacted as 'handicap'; covers physical and mental impairments.
State additions — New Jersey
Source: New Jersey Law Against Discrimination · Official text
Creed
NJSA § 10:5-12(g)
Ancestry
NJSA § 10:5-12(g)
Nationality
NJSA § 10:5-12(g)
Marital status
NJSA § 10:5-12(g)
Civil union status
NJSA § 10:5-12(g)
Domestic partnership status
NJSA § 10:5-12(g)
Affectional or sexual orientation
NJSA § 10:5-12(g)
Gender identity or expression
NJSA § 10:5-12(g)
Pregnancy or breastfeeding
NJSA § 10:5-12(g)
Liability for service in the U.S. Armed Forces
NJSA § 10:5-12(g)
Source of lawful income
NJSA § 10:5-12(g)
Used for rental or mortgage payments; includes Section 8 vouchers.
Important
This page is a compliance reference, not legal advice. Statute interpretation and enforcement varies. Verify against the current text of cited statutes and consult a licensed attorney for advice on a specific situation.
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