Chapter 9.73 — CITY POLICY AGAINST ARBITRARY DISCRIMINATION

(a) Human Rights. It is the policy of the city of Palo Alto to affirm, support and protect the human rights of every person within its jurisdiction. These rights include, but are not limited to, equal economic, political, and educational opportunity; equal accommodations in all business establishments in the city; and, equal service and protection by all public agencies of the city.

(b) Freedom from Arbitrary Discrimination. It is the policy of the city of Palo Alto to protect and safeguard the right and opportunity of every person to be free from arbitrary discrimination on the basis of their race, skin color, gender, age, religion, disability, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, housing status, marital status, familial status, weight or height.

(Ord. 4795 § 2 (part), 2003)

(a) All persons who, for a period of more than twenty-nine consecutive days, lease city property shall, as a covenant and condition of such lease, agree in writing to accept and enforce the statements of policy set forth in Section 9.73.010 with respect to all of the activities that are conducted upon the leased city property.

(b) No city agency, board, commission, or official shall permit any person to lease city property, for a period of more than twenty-nine consecutive days, unless such person has agreed in writing to accept and enforce the statements of policy set forth in Section 9.73.010 with respect to all of the activities conducted upon the leased city property.

(c) It shall be unlawful for any person, who for a period of more than twenty-nine consecutive days, leases city property, to discriminate in their own activities upon the leased city property against other persons on the basis of race, skin color, gender, age, religion, disability, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, housing status, marital status, familial status, weight or height.

(Ord. 4795 § 2 (part), 2003)

(a) The city manager shall take all appropriate actions to assure that the statements of policy set forth in Section9.73.010 are implemented to the fullest extent permitted by law with respect to those city activities listed in subsection (b) below.

(b) The following city activities shall be subject to the statements of policy set forth in Section9.73.010:

(1) Employment by the city of Palo Alto;

(2) Persons performing services, providing goods, or constructing public works on behalf of the city of Palo Alto;

(3) Persons receiving funding, grants or subsidies from the city of Palo Alto; and

(4) City recreational, educational or other programs and activities of any kind.

(Ord. 4795 § 2 (part), 2003)

The following words and phrases whenever used in this chapter shall be construed as defined in this section, unless the context indicates otherwise.

(a) “City property” means any real property or facilities owned or controlled by the city of Palo Alto.

(b) “Lease” means any non-residential lease, license or other permitted use of city property.

(c) “Person” means natural person, joint venture, joint stock company, partnership, association, club, company, corporation, business trust, organization, or the manager, lessee, agent, servant, officer or employee of any of them.

(d) “CEDAW” means the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.

(Ord. 4795 § 2 (part), 2003: Ord. 5697 § 2, 2026)

It is the goal of the city to implement the principles underlying CEDAW to eradicate discrimination against women and girls. The following CEDAW principles will be integrated in the city’s role as a service provider, employer, and community and business partner to the maximum extent possible, and as permitted by law. The city will approach this work through cultivating experiences and appreciation, fostering a welcoming environment, and assessing impacts for all. In implementing the CEDAW principles, the city shall ensure that its actions align with its continued work to end all forms of arbitrary discrimination, as described in this chapter.

(a) Economic development.

(1) The city shall take appropriate measures to support the economic development of women and girls in the city of Palo Alto through the

elimination of any known identified barriers, such as lack of childcare, workplace harassment, and equal pay, in the areas of employment; licenses, permits, and registrations; and public contracting with vendors and others.

(b) Housing and homelessness.

(1) The city recognizes that the root causes of homelessness and housing insecurity are different for women and girls, and they may include

factors such as gender-based violence, substance abuse, mental health, poverty, and the uneven distribution of caregiving responsibilities. It is a priority of the city to support policies and programs that understand the unique housing needs of women and girls.

(2) The city shall ensure equal access to the full range of affordable, permanent housing options for women and girls and their families, and to

help eliminate discriminatory policies in the housing market, recognizing the even greater adversity faced by those in poverty, released from incarceration, long-term care, survivors of gender-based violence or aging out of the foster care system.

(3) The city shall support homelessness prevention and homeless services that are designed to be gender-responsive to the needs of women

and girls.

(c) Political and civic engagement.

(1) It is a priority of the city to educate all individuals, including women and girls, about their voting rights and to encourage civic engagement.

(2) The city shall encourage voter registration among all eligible voters, including women.

(3) The city shall encourage civic and political engagement among women, including seeking and holding public office, membership in local

commissions, boards, or task forces, and participating in community service.

(d) Community, library, and transportation services.

(1) The city shall take appropriate and timely measures within the scope of its authority to support women and girls’ equal access to

community, library, and transportation services and support survivors of sexual and gender-based violence.

(2) To the extent it has authority over such services or systems, the city shall remove identified barriers to equal access to community, library, and transportation services whenever the city becomes aware of such barriers.

(e) Climate action and sustainability.

(1) The city shall, when appropriate, take gender-responsive, culturally responsive measures to address the specific vulnerabilities and needs of women and girls in measures related to climate change adaptation and sustainability, including in vulnerability assessments and other efforts to identify and meaningfully include communities that bear disproportionate risks or other burdens from climate change or other forms of environmental harm.

(Ord. 5697 § 3, 2026)

No provision in this chapter is intended to, and shall not be interpreted to, create a private right of action for damages or equitable relief on behalf of any person or entity against the city or any of its officers or employees.

(Ord. 5697 § 4, 2026)