U.S. Code » Title 42 » Chapter CHAPTER 21— CIVIL RIGHTS › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER II— PUBLIC ACCOMMODATIONS

42 U.S.C. § 2000a

Prohibition against discrimination or segregation in places of public accommodation

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(a) Equal access

All persons shall be entitled to the full and equal enjoyment of the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, and accommodations of any place of public accommodation, as defined in this section, without discrimination or segregation on the ground of race, color, religion, or national origin.

(b) Establishments affecting interstate commerce or supported in their activities by State action as places of public accommodation; lodgings; facilities principally engaged in selling food for consumption on the premises; gasoline stations; places of exhibition or entertainment; other covered establishmentsEach of the following establishments which serves the public is a place of public accommodation within the meaning of this subchapter if its operations affect commerce, or if discrimination or segregation by it is supported by State action:(1) any inn, hotel, motel, or other establishment which provides lodging to transient guests, other than an establishment located within a building which contains not more than five rooms for rent or hire and which is actually occupied by the proprietor of such establishment as his residence;(2) any restaurant, cafeteria, lunchroom, lunch counter, soda fountain, or other facility principally engaged in selling food for consumption on the premises, including, but not limited to, any such facility located on the premises of any retail establishment; or any gasoline station;(3) any motion picture house, theater, concert hall, sports arena, stadium or other place of exhibition or entertainment; and(4) any establishment (A)(i) which is physically located within the premises of any establishment otherwise covered by this subsection, or (ii) within the premises of which is physically located any such covered establishment, and (B) which holds itself out as serving patrons of such covered establishment.(c) Operations affecting commerce; criteria; “commerce” defined

The operations of an establishment affect commerce within the meaning of this subchapter if (1) it is one of the establishments described in paragraph (1) of subsection (b); (2) in the case of an establishment described in paragraph (2) of subsection (b), it serves or offers to serve interstate travelers or a substantial portion of the food which it serves, or gasoline or other products which it sells, has moved in commerce; (3) in the case of an establishment described in paragraph (3) of subsection (b), it customarily presents films, performances, athletic teams, exhibitions, or other sources of entertainment which move in commerce; and (4) in the case of an establishment described in paragraph (4) of subsection (b), it is physically located within the premises of, or there is physically located within its premises, an establishment the operations of which affect commerce within the meaning of this subsection. For purposes of this section, “commerce” means travel, trade, traffic, commerce, transportation, or communication among the several States, or between the District of Columbia and any State, or between any foreign country or any territory or possession and any State or the District of Columbia, or between points in the same State but through any other State or the District of Columbia or a foreign country.

(d) Support by State action

Discrimination or segregation by an establishment is supported by State action within the meaning of this subchapter if such discrimination or segregation (1) is carried on under color of any law, statute, ordinance, or regulation; or (2) is carried on under color of any custom or usage required or enforced by officials of the State or political subdivision thereof; or (3) is required by action of the State or political subdivision thereof.

(e) Private establishments

The provisions of this subchapter shall not apply to a private club or other establishment not in fact open to the public, except to the extent that the facilities of such establishment are made available to the customers or patrons of an establishment within the scope of subsection (b).

(Pub. L. 88–352, title II, § 201, July 2, 1964, 78 Stat. 243.)Statutory Notes and Related SubsidiariesShort Title of 2009 Amendment

Pub. L. 111–2, § 1, Jan. 29, 2009, 123 Stat. 5, provided that: “This Act [amending sections 2000e–5 and 2000e–16 of this title and sections 626, 633a, and 794a of Title 29, Labor, and enacting provisions set out as notes under section 2000e–5 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009’.”

Short Title of 1992 Amendment

Pub. L. 102–411, § 1, Oct. 14, 1992, 106 Stat. 2102, provided that: “This Act [amending section 2000e–4 of this title] may be cited as the ‘EEOC Education, Technical Assistance, and Training Revolving Fund Act of 1992’.”

Short Title of 1972 Amendment

Pub. L. 92–261, § 1, Mar. 24, 1972, 86 Stat. 103, provided: “That this Act [enacting sections 2000e–16 and 2000e–17 of this title, amending sections 5108 and 5314 to 5316 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees, and sections 2000e to 2000e–6, 2000e–8, 2000e–9, 2000e–13, and 2000e–14 of this title, and enacting provisions set out as a note under section 2000e–5 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Equal Employment Opportunity Act of 1972’.”

Short Title

Pub. L. 88–352, § 1, July 2, 1964, 78 Stat. 241, provided: “That this Act [enacting subchapters II to IX of this chapter, amending sections 2204 and 2205 of former Title 5, Executive Departments and Government Officers and Employees, section 1447(d) of Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure, and sections 1971 and 1975a to 1975d of this title, and enacting provisions set out as a note under section 2000e of this title] may be cited as the ‘Civil Rights Act of 1964’.”

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 1,089 cases (368 in the last 5 years), 1964–2026 · leading case: Creek Red Nation, LLC v. Jeffco Midget Football Ass'n, 175 F. Supp. 3d 1290 (D. Colo. 2016).
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Creek Red Nation, LLC v. Jeffco Midget Football Ass'n, 175 F. Supp. 3d 1290 (D. Colo. 2016). · cites it 13× “Whether Plaintiffs state a claim under 42 U.S.C. § 2000a 42 U.S.C. § 2000a protects an individual’s “full and equal enjoyment of the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, and accommodations of any place of public accommodation .”
Runyon v. McCrary, 427 U.S. 160 (1976). · cites it 8× “243 , 42 U. S. C. § 2000a et seq. [2] They sought declaratory and injunctive relief and damages.”
Frizell Clegg v. Cult Awareness Network Cult Awareness Network, Los Angeles Chapter Cynthia Kisser Priscilla Coates, 18 F.3d 752 (9th Cir. 1994). · cites it 9× “THOMPSON, Circuit Judge: Frizell Clegg sued the Cult Awareness Network, alleging discrimination on the basis of race and religion in violation of Title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. § 2000a (1988). This statute prohibits discrimination in places of public…”
PGA Tour, Inc. v. Martin, 532 U.S. 661 (2001). · cites it 5× “243 , 42 U. S. C. § 2000a et seq. Title II of that Act prohibits public accommodations from discriminating on the basis of race, color, religion, or national origin.”
Jean Denny Seandria Denny v. Elizabeth Arden Salons, Inc., 456 F.3d 427 (4th Cir. 2006). · cites it 8× “” The mother and daughter brought this suit against the salon under Title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. § 2000a et seq. (2000), which prohibits racial discrimination in a “place of public accommodation,” and under 42 U.”
Adickes v. S. H. Kress & Co., 398 U.S. 144 (1970). · cites it 5× “City of Greenville, supra , and the enactment of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U. S. C. §§ 2000a to 2000h-6, does so with reckless disregard as a matter of law, and therefore may be found liable for punitive damages.”
James v. Am. Airlines, Inc., 247 F. Supp. 3d 297 (E.D.N.Y 2017). · cites it 9× “§ 1981 (“Section 1981”), 42 U.S.C. § 2000a, 42 U.S.C. § 2000d, 49 U.”
United States v. Guest, 383 U.S. 745 (1966). · cites it 9× “The first numbered paragraph of the indictment, reflecting a portion of the language of § 201 (a) of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U. S. C. § 2000a (a) (1964 ed.), alleged that the defendants conspired to injure, oppress, threaten, and intimidate Negro citizens in the free…”
Randy Brown v. Whole Foods Mkt. Grp., Inc, 789 F.3d 146 (D.C. Cir. 2015). · cites it 4× “Brown also filed an “Amendment” to his original complaint that, for the first time, alleged, that Whole Foods violated Title II 3 of the Civil Rights Act of 1964(CRA), 42 U.S.C. §§ 2000a et seq. In support, Brown recounted the food-stamp accusation and noted that he had been…”
Buckhannon Bd. & Care Home, Inc. v. West Virginia Dept. of Health & Human Resources, 532 U.S. 598 (2001). · cites it 2× “The Civil Rights Act of 1964 included provisions for fee awards to "prevailing parties" in Title II (public accommodations), 42 U. S. C. § 2000a—3(b), and Title VII (employment), § 2000e—5(k), but not in Title VI (federal programs).”
Bobbitt Ex Rel. Bobbitt v. Rage Inc., 19 F. Supp. 2d 512 (W.D.N.C. 1998). · cites it 13× “§ 1981 and 42 U.S.C. § 2000a. 2 On May 8, 1998, Defendants filed a motion to dismiss.”
Arnett v. Domino's Pizza I, L.L.C., 124 S.W.3d 529 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2003). · cites it 8× “Moore), filed a previous suit against Domino’s Pizza (“Domino’s”) in the United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee, alleging discriminatory practices by Domino’s in violation of 42 USC § 2000a (“Title II”), 42 USC § 1981 , and the Tennessee Human Rights…”
Show all 1,089 citing cases →
— 42 U.S.C. § 2000a(3) — 1 case
Leach v. Heyman, 233 F. Supp. 2d 906 (N.D. Ohio 2002).
— 42 U.S.C. § 2000a(3)(b) — 1 case
Connor v. Winter, 519 F. Supp. 1337 (S.D. Miss. 1981).
— 42 U.S.C. § 2000a(a) — 261 cases
PGA Tour, Inc. v. Martin, 532 U.S. 661 (2001). “243 , 42 U. S. C. § 2000a et seq. Title II of that Act prohibits public accommodations from discriminating on the basis of race, color, religion, or national origin.”
Hardie v. Nat'l Collegiate Athletic Ass'n, 876 F.3d 312 (9th Cir. 2017).
Randy Brown v. Whole Foods Mkt. Grp., Inc, 789 F.3d 146 (D.C. Cir. 2015). “Brown also filed an “Amendment” to his original complaint that, for the first time, alleged, that Whole Foods violated Title II 3 of the Civil Rights Act of 1964(CRA), 42 U.S.C. §§ 2000a et seq. In support, Brown recounted the food-stamp accusation and noted that he had been…”
Harris v. Capital Growth Investors XIV, 805 P.2d 873 (Cal. 1991).
Christopher Mielo v. Steak N Shake Operations Inc, 897 F.3d 467 (3rd Cir. 2018).
— 42 U.S.C. § 2000a(a)(b)(4) — 1 case
He v. United States of Am. (D.N.J. 2021).
— 42 U.S.C. § 2000a(a)(l) — 1 case
West v. LQ Mgmt., LLC, 156 F. Supp. 3d 1361 (S.D. Fla. 2015).
— 42 U.S.C. § 2000a(b) — 131 cases
PGA Tour, Inc. v. Martin, 532 U.S. 661 (2001). “243 , 42 U. S. C. § 2000a et seq. Title II of that Act prohibits public accommodations from discriminating on the basis of race, color, religion, or national origin.”
Jean Denny Seandria Denny v. Elizabeth Arden Salons, Inc., 456 F.3d 427 (4th Cir. 2006). “” The mother and daughter brought this suit against the salon under Title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. § 2000a et seq. (2000), which prohibits racial discrimination in a “place of public accommodation,” and under 42 U.”
Oliver v. Ralphs Grocery Co., 654 F.3d 903 (9th Cir. 2011).
303 Creative LLC v. Elenis, 600 U.S. 570 (2023).
James v. Am. Airlines, Inc., 247 F. Supp. 3d 297 (E.D.N.Y 2017). “§ 1981 (“Section 1981”), 42 U.S.C. § 2000a, 42 U.S.C. § 2000d, 49 U.”
— 42 U.S.C. § 2000a(b)(1) — 10 cases
Gregory Selden v. Airbnb, Inc., 4 F.4th 148 (D.C. Cir. 2021).
Cervelli v. Aloha Bed & Breakfast, 415 P.3d 919 (Haw. App. 2018).
Bermudez Zenon v. Restaurant Compostela, Inc., 790 F. Supp. 41 (D.P.R. 1992).
Hill, Sr. v. City of Monahans (W.D. Tex. 2025).
Banks v. Hughes (D. Neb. 2021).
— 42 U.S.C. § 2000a(b)(2) — 25 cases
Bobbitt Ex Rel. Bobbitt v. Rage Inc., 19 F. Supp. 2d 512 (W.D.N.C. 1998). “§ 1981 and 42 U.S.C. § 2000a. 2 On May 8, 1998, Defendants filed a motion to dismiss.”
Arnett v. Domino's Pizza I, L.L.C., 124 S.W.3d 529 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2003). “Moore), filed a previous suit against Domino’s Pizza (“Domino’s”) in the United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee, alleging discriminatory practices by Domino’s in violation of 42 USC § 2000a (“Title II”), 42 USC § 1981 , and the Tennessee Human Rights…”
United States v. Lansdowne Swim Club, 894 F.2d 83 (3rd Cir. 1990).
Molski v. Gleich, 318 F.3d 937 (9th Cir. 2003).
United States v. Lansdowne Swim Club, 713 F. Supp. 785 (E.D. Pa. 1989).
— 42 U.S.C. § 2000a(b)(3) — 21 cases
Creek Red Nation, LLC v. Jeffco Midget Football Ass'n, 175 F. Supp. 3d 1290 (D. Colo. 2016). “Whether Plaintiffs state a claim under 42 U.S.C. § 2000a 42 U.S.C. § 2000a protects an individual’s “full and equal enjoyment of the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, and accommodations of any place of public accommodation .”
Noah v. AOL Time Warner, Inc., 261 F. Supp. 2d 532 (E.D. Va. 2003).
Welsh v. Boy Scouts of Am., 787 F. Supp. 1511 (N.D. Ill. 1992).
Jean Denny Seandria Denny v. Elizabeth Arden Salons, Inc., 456 F.3d 427 (4th Cir. 2006). “” The mother and daughter brought this suit against the salon under Title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. § 2000a et seq. (2000), which prohibits racial discrimination in a “place of public accommodation,” and under 42 U.”
United States v. Slidell Youth Football Ass'n, 387 F. Supp. 474 (E.D. La. 1974).
— 42 U.S.C. § 2000a(b)(4) — 7 cases
Noah v. AOL Time Warner, Inc., 261 F. Supp. 2d 532 (E.D. Va. 2003).
United States v. Lansdowne Swim Club, 713 F. Supp. 785 (E.D. Pa. 1989).
United States v. William Derosier & Mildred Derosier, D/B/A Northwood Bar, 473 F.2d 749 (5th Cir. 1973).
Priddy v. Shopko Corp., 918 F. Supp. 358 (D. Utah 1995).
United States v. Three Juveniles, 886 F. Supp. 934 (D. Mass. 1995).
— 42 U.S.C. § 2000a(b)(4)(B) — 1 case
Garwood v. Wal-Mart, Inc. (D. Maryland 2023).
— 42 U.S.C. § 2000a(b)(c) — 1 case
United States v. Williams, 376 F. Supp. 750 (M.D. Fla. 1974).
— 42 U.S.C. § 2000a(b)(l) — 12 cases
Randy Brown v. Whole Foods Mkt. Grp., Inc, 789 F.3d 146 (D.C. Cir. 2015). “Brown also filed an “Amendment” to his original complaint that, for the first time, alleged, that Whole Foods violated Title II 3 of the Civil Rights Act of 1964(CRA), 42 U.S.C. §§ 2000a et seq. In support, Brown recounted the food-stamp accusation and noted that he had been…”
United States v. Columbus Country Club, 915 F.2d 877 (3rd Cir. 1990).
Noah v. AOL Time Warner, Inc., 261 F. Supp. 2d 532 (E.D. Va. 2003).
The Chicago Bd. of Realtors, Inc. v. The City of Chicago, a Mun. Corp. of the State of Illinois, & the Mayor of the City of Chicago, 819 F.2d 732 (7th Cir. 1987).
Patel v. Holley House Motels, 483 F. Supp. 374 (S.D. Ala. 1979).
— 42 U.S.C. § 2000a(c) — 22 cases
Consum. Crusade, Inc. v. Affordable Health Care Solutions, Inc., 121 P.3d 350 (Colo. Ct. App. 2005).
Bobbitt Ex Rel. Bobbitt v. Rage Inc., 19 F. Supp. 2d 512 (W.D.N.C. 1998). “§ 1981 and 42 U.S.C. § 2000a. 2 On May 8, 1998, Defendants filed a motion to dismiss.”
15192 Thirteen Mile Road, Inc. v. City of Warren, 626 F. Supp. 803 (E.D. Mich. 1985).
R.A. Ponte Architects, Ltd. v. Investors' Alert, Inc., 857 A.2d 1 (Md. 2004).
Ilq Investments, Inc., a Minnesota Corp. Excalibur Grp., Inc., a Minnesota Corp. v. City of Rochester, a Mun. Corp., 25 F.3d 1413 (8th Cir. 1994).
— 42 U.S.C. § 2000a(c)(2) — 1 case
United States v. Lansdowne Swim Club, 713 F. Supp. 785 (E.D. Pa. 1989).
— 42 U.S.C. § 2000a(c)(3) — 3 cases
United States v. Slidell Youth Football Ass'n, 387 F. Supp. 474 (E.D. La. 1974).
United States v. Pasquale Deyorio D/B/A Hub Bar & Package Store, 473 F.2d 1041 (5th Cir. 1973).
United States v. Williams, 376 F. Supp. 750 (M.D. Fla. 1974).
— 42 U.S.C. § 2000a(d) — 5 cases
Donna Robertson v. Patrolman F. Johnston, 376 F.2d 43 (5th Cir. 1967).
Brown v. Rhode Island, 160 F. Supp. 2d 233 (D.R.I. 2001).
Johnson v. Bd. of Educ. (N.M. Ct. App. 2023).
(PC) Trotter v. Pfeiffer (E.D. Cal. 2019).
Johnson v. Bd. of Educ. (N.M. Ct. App. 2023).
— 42 U.S.C. § 2000a(e) — 54 cases
New York State Club Assn., Inc. v. City of New York, 487 U.S. 1 (1988).
Frizell Clegg v. Cult Awareness Network Cult Awareness Network, Los Angeles Chapter Cynthia Kisser Priscilla Coates, 18 F.3d 752 (9th Cir. 1994). “THOMPSON, Circuit Judge: Frizell Clegg sued the Cult Awareness Network, alleging discrimination on the basis of race and religion in violation of Title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. § 2000a (1988). This statute prohibits discrimination in places of public…”
Chris Langer v. Milan Kiser, 57 F.4th 1085 (9th Cir. 2023).
Runnion Ex Rel. Rsunnion v. Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago, 786 F.3d 510 (7th Cir. 2015).
Warfield v. Peninsula Golf & Country Club, 896 P.2d 776 (Cal. 1995).
— 42 U.S.C. § 2000a(e)(3) — 1 case
United States v. Allen, 341 F.3d 870 (9th Cir. 2003).
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