Religious Land Use and Zoning Blogs
Churches and other religious institutions are protected from discrimination by municipalities and other local government bodies by the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act, better known as RLUIPA. This blog by the national leaders in religious land use and zoning law highlights RLUIPA case studies and includes commentary on related news for church leaders and others throughout the country, as well as explanations of components of the RLUIPA law.
Speaking about RLUIPA at the 34th Annual ALI Land Use Conference in San Diego
I am pleased to announce that I will be speaking at the ALI Land Use Conference in San Diego, California this week on Religious Land Use and Eminent Domain. This renowned program will be held on January 26-28, 2017 at the Westin San Diego, and […]
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Dalton & Tomich Achieves RLUIPA Settlement for New Jersey Church
Last week, Dalton & Tomich attorneys secured a legal settlement that allows their client, North Jersey Vineyard Church (“Vineyard”), to operate a church in a long-vacant office space right outside New York City. Under the terms of the settlement, Vineyard can use the vacant office […]
Read MoreChurch Land Use Case: Grace Ministry Center, Kimball Township, MI
Grace Ministry Center of Kimball Township (Port Huron, MI.), is a nondenominational religious organization that operates a church, daycare center, and youth ministry in the Port Huron Factory Shops outlet mall. After nine years as faithful tenants, the Church was informed that Storage of America […]
Read MoreSign Ordinances and RLUIPA:East End Eruv Association, Inc. v. Town of Southampton
East End Eruv Association, Inc. (“EEEA”) is a non-profit corporation formed to coordinate efforts toward promoting the construction of an eruv. The eruv was set to travel through three municipalities: Southampton, Westhampton Beach, and Quogue, New York. An eruv is an unbroken demarcation or delineation […]
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Second Edition of Litigating Religious Land Use Cases book on RLUIPA is now published
I am pleased to announce that the second edition of Litigating Religious Land Uses Cases has been published by the American Bar Association. It is available through the online ABA bookstore. Why a book about religious land use? My goal for this book is to […]
Read MoreA Religious Land Use Win in Oregon – Home Church and Wedding Ministry are Permissible Uses of Land
The law firm of Dalton & Tomich PLC is pleased to announce that our client Shepherdsfield Church prevailed in its land use dispute in central Oregon this week. In this landmark decision, the administrative hearing officer found that home churches and wedding ministries are permitted […]
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Dalton & Tomich PLC celebrates its 6th Anniversary!
Today, August 23, 2016, marks the 6th anniversary of Dalton & Tomich PLC. We are so very grateful to our families, partners, clients and friends for making this firm a reality. Our success is based on your confidence and support, something that we are both […]
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Dalton & Tomich participates in American Planning Association Webinar on RLUIPA
On Friday August 5, 2016, Daniel Dalton, Evan Seeman and Noel Sterett led a seminar with over 500 members of the American Planning Association, representing land use planners, urban planners and zoning officials, discussing the important topic of “Planning For Religious Land Uses in an […]
Read MoreRLUIPA Religious Land Use Case: Life Church—De Pere, Wisconsin
Life Church, a rapidly growing nondenominational Christian congregation just outside of Green Bay, Wisconsin, had outgrown its previous home after its attendance soared to around 1,500 for Sunday services. To resolve the space constraints, Life Church purchased a 48,000 square foot vacant building in the […]
Read MoreA RLUIPA win: Hope Rising Community Church—Penn Hills, Pennsylvania
Hope Rising Community Church (“Hope Rising” or “Church”) is a Christian congregation first organized in 2013. In June 2014, the Church signed a three-year lease for a warehouse in Penn Hills, PA to use for religious services and assembly. The warehouse was in Penn Hills’ “Light […]
Read MoreAbout Us
Dalton & Tomich, PLC is the national leader in successfully helping churches, other religious institutions and their insurers defend their rights in land use and zoning matters under RLUIPA, the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act. We have helped clients win cases against municipalities and other local government bodies from coast to coast, with experience serving both as general counsel and special litigation counsel.
Harry HoffSenior Pastor, Hope Rising Community Church, Verona, PA
In 2015, Hope Rising Community Church experienced extreme opposition, the kind that would force it to close its doors and leave behind the families and youth it was so passionate about reaching. As the lead pastor I felt helpless, inferior and as if I had no […]
Read MoreKen KalbachElder, Sovereign Grace Baptist Church, Lenox, GA
Dalton & Tomich’s assistance in our RLUIPA matter has paved the way for our church to continue serving the community and for new churches in the area to thrive in the future. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your stand for religious […]
Read MoreRev. Thomas OuweleenLead Pastor, The Urban Church, Warren, MI
The Urban Church will be forever grateful to Dalton & Tomich plc for navigating it through a difficult land use issue. Let them give you honest and caring advice because that’s exactly what they’ll do.
Read MoreKimberly KebleSenior Claims Adjuster, Brotherhood Mutual Insurance
Dalton & Tomich, PLC defended a complicated case at a church we insure. Not only is the firm professional, they understand how church business runs and work well within church leadership.
Read MoreRev. Demetrius BookerSenior Pastor, Lighthouse Community Church of God, Redford, MI
Dalton & Tomich, PLC helped us immensely in the areas of litigation and negotiation! Their professionalism and understanding of church policy helped our church be victorious in a modern day religious land use battle. RLUIPA Religious Land Use Case: Lighthouse Community Church of God
Read MoreMitchell CorderAdministrative Bishop Church of God, Tennessee
Dalton & Tomich, PLC serves as General Counsel for the 144 churches within the Church of God in Michigan. The firm provides the legal expertise we need in dealing with the issues that arise during the course of fulfilling our ministry.
Read MoreTim RhodusLead Pastor, Cross Church Carlinville & Staunton, IL
I met Dan Dalton during a dark time for our church. He was recommended as the leading RLUIPA attorney in the nation. He demonstrated wisdom, expertise, a gentle nature, a calming inter-relational skill, genuineness, and a humble demeanor, while at the same time, being sharp, […]
Read MoreRonnie HolmesSenior Pastor, Church of the Open Door, Waco, TX
Mr. Dalton’s expertise and experience helped us through a very difficult legal journey, ultimately achieving a favorable outcome. His personal interest in helping our church went “above and beyond” just the call of duty. His understanding of both legal and spiritual matters seems to uniquely […]
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