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A. A complaint alleging an unfair housing practice shall be in writing and signed by the charging party, describing the unfair housing practice complained of, and must be filed within six months of the occurrence of the alleged unfair housing practice by:

1. Any person, or the person’s attorney, when the person claims to be aggrieved by an unfair housing practice;

2. The compliance officer or city attorney, whenever the compliance officer or city attorney has reason to believe an unfair housing practice has been or is being committed;

3. A state or federal agency concerned with discrimination in housing, whenever it has reason to believe an unfair housing practice has been or is being committed.

B. Complaints shall be filed with the compliance officer, who shall be appointed by the city manager. A complaint shall not be rejected as insufficient because of failure to include all required information so long as it substantially satisfies the information requirements necessary for processing.

C. Notice of the complaint, including date, place and circumstances of the alleged unlawful practice, shall be served upon the respondent and a copy thereof shall be filed with the city attorney.

D. An investigation into the allegations contained in the complaint shall be made by the compliance officer, and the results thereof reduced to written findings of fact. A finding shall be made, based upon a preponderance of the evidence obtained in the investigation, that there is or is not reasonable cause to believe that an unfair housing practice has been or is being committed.

E. If a finding is made that there is no reasonable cause, the findings shall be furnished to the charging party and to the respondent. Within 30 days after the receipt of the finding, the charging party shall have the right to appeal such finding to the Washington State Human Rights Commission by filing a written statement of appeal with it. In the event that no appeal is taken or such appeal is unsuccessful, the complaint shall be dismissed.

F. If the finding is made initially or on appeal that reasonable cause exists to believe that an unfair housing practice has occurred, the compliance officer shall endeavor to eliminate the unfair practice by conference, conciliation and persuasion which may include as a condition of settlement the elimination of the unfair housing practice, rent refunds or credits, reinstatement to tenancy, affirmative recruiting or advertising measures or such other requirements as may lawfully be agreed upon by the parties and the compliance officer. Any settlement agreement shall be reduced to writing and signed by the respondent and the compliance officer. Copies of such agreements shall be delivered to all affected parties and the city attorney and the original thereof filed with the city clerk. If no agreement can be reached, a finding to that effect shall be made and reduced to writing, with a copy thereof furnished to the charging party, the respondent, and the city attorney.

G. In case of failure to reach agreement for the elimination of such unfair practice, and upon the entry of a finding to that effect, the complaint and any and all findings shall be certified by the compliance officer to the city attorney.

H. The city attorney may institute legal proceedings on the basis of a complaint filed under this chapter. (Ord. 4061 § 6, 1989; Ord. 3550 § 5, 1985; Ord. 3516 § 28, 1985; Ord. 2398 § 7, 1977.)