Chapter 18 of the Phoenix City Code, Article I, empowers the Equal Opportunity Department to protect the people of Phoenix from discrimination in places of public accommodation. Examples of public accommodations include restaurants, hotels, shops, movie theaters, doctor's offices, day care centers and many other places where people seek to purchase goods, services and facilities.
The Code makes it unlawful for places of public accommodation to discriminate against any person because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or disability.
The discrimination complaint should be in writing and contain information about the alleged discrimination such as name, address, phone number of complainant and location, date, and description of the problem. Alternative means of filing complaints, such as personal interviews or an audio recording of the complaint, will be made available for persons with disabilities upon request.
The complaint should be submitted by the grievant and/or their designee as soon as possible but no later than 180 calendar days after the alleged violation to the City of Phoenix Equal Opportunity Department.
The assigned investigator will review the complaint and may solicit additional information from the complainant as needed, as part of the preliminary inquiry to determine the need for further investigation. If the preliminary inquiry indicates an investigation is not warranted, the complainant will be notified of the reasons why and factors considered. If the preliminary inquiry indicates that an investigation is warranted, the complainant will be notified, and an interview will be scheduled.
The complaint will be investigated and completed within 240 days of receipt. The complainant will be notified in writing of the results of the investigation and what actions will be/have been taken in response.
To file a complaint, click on the link below, email us at eod.complaint.enforcement@phoenix.gov, or contact us via mail or in person at
Phoenix City Hall
200 W Washington Street, 15th Floor
Phoenix, AZ 85003
A civil rights complaint may also be filed directly with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL). The fastest method to submit your complaint to CRCL is by email, CRCLCompliance@hq.dhs.gov, subject line: ATTN: Antidiscrimination Group. The complaint can also be faxed to 202-401-4708 or by U.S. Mail to U.S. Department of Homeland Security Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties ATTN: Antidiscrimination Group, Mail Stop #0190, 2707 Martin Luther King, Jr, Ave., SE, Washington, D.C. 20528