The Charlottesville Human Rights Ordinance defines how human rights are protected in Charlottesville, in accordance with state and federal law. It also specifies the roles of the Office of Human Rights and the Human Rights Commission. According to this Ordinance, unlawful discrimination occurs when an individual is denied an opportunity to engage in a protected activity because of their membership or perceived membership in a particular group or identity.
Protected activities include: credit, employment, housing, private education, and public accommodation.
Protected classes include: age, childbirth or related medical conditions, disability, veteran status, gender identity, marital status, national origin, pregnancy, religion, race, sex, sexual orientation, and color. Housing cases also include the additional protected classes of elderliness, source of funds, and familial status.