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Practice Areas • Practices • California’s Unruh Civil Rights Act: Your Right to Equal Treatment in Public Places

The Unruh Civil Rights Act protects you from public-accommodations discrimination and more. California's statute is broad.

This law makes it clear: if a business serves the public, it must treat everyone equally—regardless of their race, religion, sex, disability, sexual orientation, or other protected characteristic.


What Is the Unruh Civil Rights Act?

The Unruh Civil Rights Act, found in California Civil Code Section 51, prohibits discrimination by all business establishments in California—large and small. This includes:

  • Hotels and motels.

  • Restaurants and bars.

  • Stores and shopping centers.

  • Theaters and stadiums.

  • Schools and private healthcare providers.

  • Banks and insurance companies.

  • Uber, Lyft, and other service apps.

  • Even, in some cases, websites.

In short: If it’s a business open to the public, the Unruh Act applies.


What Does the Unruh Civil Rights Act Prohibit?

The Unruh Act bans discrimination based on:

  • Race or color.

  • Religion.

  • National origin.

  • Sex or gender (including pregnancy).

  • Sexual orientation.

  • Disability (physical or mental).

  • Age.

  • Medical condition.

  • Marital status.

  • Gender identity or expression.

  • Any other arbitrary classification.

A business cannot deny service, provide unequal terms, or otherwise mistreat someone because of who they are.

Even subtle forms of unequal treatment can violate the law.


How Is the Unruh Act Enforced?

Victims of discrimination can file a lawsuit in state court, or as a supplemental claim to federal claims in federal court. If successful, victims may recover:

  • Actual damages: Compensation for harm suffered, including economic losses and for emotional distress.

  • Statutory damages: A minimum of $4,000 per offense.

  • Attorney fees: The business may have to pay your legal costs.

  • Injunctive relief: Court orders to stop future discrimination.

The law imposes serious consequences for discriminatory behavior—and meaningful remedies for victims.


Does It Apply Only to Intentional Discrimination?

No. While most Unruh Act cases involve intentional discrimination, California courts have ruled that policies with discriminatory effects can sometimes violate the Act—even if there’s no proven intent to discriminate.

This includes practices that unfairly exclude people with disabilities or transgender individuals, even if applied “neutrally.”


Our Commitment to Civil Rights

At The Chandra Law Firm LLC, we know that equality under the law means nothing without enforcement. Businesses must be held accountable when they violate basic civil rights.

If you’ve experienced discrimination based on the above prohibited categories by a California business, we have the experience as civil-rights lawyers to fight to vindicate your rights under the Unruh Act.


Contact Us

If you’ve been discriminated against by a business in California, don’t stay silent. Contact The Chandra Law Firm LLC today. We’re ready to help you fight for your rights. Please understand that as a small firm, we are only able to handle on contingency fees cases in which the damages are relatively serious. Please submit with your contact form details about how you have been damaged economically, emotionally, or both, and information about what proof you would have to prove your claims and damages.

At Chandra Law, your case is our cause.®


Note: This page is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Every case is different. Please consult an attorney about your specific situation.

Making the right choice in legal representation can make the difference in whether you achieve a result that protects your legal rights and best interests.

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