Human Rights Ordinance

​​​​​​​​​​​The Human Rights Ordinance of Alachua County Protects Against Unlawful Discrimination​

The Human Rights Ordinance of Alachua County​, Chapter 111 of the Alachua County Code, protects individuals from unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity or expression in employment, housing and public accommodations, within the geographic boundaries of Alachua County. Additional protections against housing discrimination include familial status, citizenship status, lawful source of income, veteran or service member status, victims of domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking.

It is a violation of this chapter for a person who owns or operates a place of employment, housing or public accommodation, either personally or through the actions of an employee to:

• Discriminate against a person in employment, housing or public accommodations because of that individual's protected status or characteristic.
• Display or publish any written communication which is to the effect that a person is unwelcome, objectionable or unacceptable because of that individual's protected status or characteristic.

Discrimination

Discrimination is different or less favorable treatment because of an individual’s protected status or characteristic covered under this ordinance.

Retaliation

It is unlawful to retaliate, or take adverse action against an individual because they opposed a discriminatory practice; filed a discrimination complaint ; testified or participated in an investigation of an alleged violation of this ordinance.

Jurisdiction

• The alleged discriminatory act occurred in the geographic boundaries of Alachua County within the past 180 days.
• A covered employer employs 5 or more employees.
• If any municipality in Alachua County has its own human rights ordinance, such ordinance shall prevail over the Human Rights Ordinance of Alachua County to the extent of any conflict between the two ordinances.

Timeline & Processes

Filing a complaint

A complaint must be filed with the Alachua County Equal Opportunity Office within 180 days of the date of the alleged discriminatory act.

Mediation/Conciliation

A voluntary process in which an impartial person helps parties resolve their differences before an investigation takes place or at any stage during an investigation.

Investigation

If the dispute cannot be resolved through mediation/conciliation, the Alachua County Equal Opportunity Office will conduct an objective and timely investigation.

Determination

Based on the results of the investigation, the Alachua County Human Rights Board will make a determination as to whether or not there is sufficient evidence that an unlawful discriminatory act occurred.

Notification

Both parties are notified of the determination and options under the law. This could result in an administrative hearing or civil action in a court of law.