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.
RLUIPA Religious Land Use Case: Real Life Ministries – Albion, Michigan
SCENARIO: Real Life Ministries (“RLM”) is a Christian ministry that had been located and operating in Albion, Michigan, for fifteen years. In 2010, RLM developed plans to purchase a large vacant building that formerly housed an Asian furniture store that was located in rural Parma […]
Read MoreRLUIPA Religious Land Use Case: Metro South Church – Taylor, Michigan
On Sunday April 22, 2012, Metro South Church opened the doors of its new worship facility in Taylor, Michigan for corporate worship for the very first time. The Church secured a vacant building, empty for nearly ten years and formally used as a Sports Authority […]
Read MoreRLUIPA Religious Land Use Case: Celebration Christian Reformed Church – Muskegon, Michigan
Celebration Church, a Christian Reformed Church located in Muskegon, Michigan finally had a home—or so they thought. The Church, which had opened its doors a few years prior, had worshiped in a high school gym since its inception while growing to several hundred members, necessitating […]
Read MoreRLUIPA Religious Land Use Case: Carlinville Southern Baptist Church – Carlinville, Illinois
SCENARIO: Carlinville Southern Baptist Church (the “Church”) is a Christian congregation located in Carlinville, Illinois (the “City”). The Church is a religious body formed to promote the message of the Christian gospel, instruction and righteous conduct, fellowship of its members and outreach to the community. […]
Read MoreRLUIPA Religious Land Use Case: Academy of Our Lady of Peace Catholic High School – San Diego, California
The Academy of Our Lady of Peace (AOLP) has settled its lawsuit with the City of San Diego, effectively ending the nearly four yearlong dispute between San Diego’s oldest high school and the city in which it resides. The city has agreed to pay to […]
Read MoreRLUIPA Religious Land Use Case: Church of Our Savior – Jacksonville Beach, Florida
On November 25, 2014, District Judge Timothy Corrigan from the Middle District of Florida ruled in favor of Church of Our Savior in its religious land use lawsuit against the City of Jacksonville Beach, Florida. The Court held that the City violated RLUIPA’s Equal Terms […]
Read MoreRLUIPA Religious Land Use Case: Lighthouse Community Church of God – Redford, Michigan
Lighthouse Community Church of God (“Lighthouse”), a historic African American church that had been in existence for more than 80 years, was a small but faithful community of believers whose mission was to serve others. Its building, however, had become too small for Lighthouse’s ongoing […]
Read MoreRLUIPA Religious Land Use Case: Lighthouse Rescue Mission – Hattiesburg, Mississippi
The federal court in Hattiesburg, Mississippi has approved a settlement agreement that requires the City of Hattiesburg to allow Lighthouse Rescue Mission (Lighthouse) to operate a Christian-based residential addiction treatment facility in a former school facility in Hattiesburg. Under the terms of the settlement, Hattiesburg […]
Read MoreReligious Construction Likely on the Rise, Litigation to Follow?
According to a recent article from the Wall Street Journal, a 13-year decline in American religious building construction may soon end. The article states that construction of religious buildings in the U.S. (which includes churches, temples, mosques, and other buildings) peaked in 2002 and has […]
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Local governments continue mistreating churches in land use and zoning matters
AMT Owners Kenny & Beverly Sexton Join in Partnership with Summit Church Pastors Hal and Lisa Boehm. (Photo courtesy American Mountatin Theater) Local governments are mistreating churches across the country. The latest example of this wave of discrimination is making headlines in Elkins, West Virginia, […]
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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