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.
The Next Religious Land Use and Zoning Trial – Church of our Savior v. Jacksonville Beach, Florida
The federal court in Jacksonville, Florida has denied the City of Jacksonville Beach’s Motion to Dismiss the Church of Our Savior’s Complaint against the City. In an opinion issued on July 18, the Honorable Judge Timothy J. Corrigan found that the Church had pleaded sufficient […]
Read MoreCalifornia District Court Grants TRO Allowing Church to Continue Homeless Ministry
The Central District of California recently granted a temporary restraining order to allow a church to continue operating its homeless ministry program despite repeated attempts by the City of San Buenaventura to shut down the ministry. Since 2008, Harbor Missionary Church (“Church”) operated a homeless […]
Read MoreThe Ownership of Church Property
Denominational Trust Clauses and Civil Litigation Within the past decade, there has been a surge of litigation concerning the ownership of property as it relates to a local church. Local congregations are faced with the unfortunate choice of leaving a denomination and dispensing with the […]
Read MoreAttorneys for Land Use Website Examines Religious Land Use Law
Dalton & Tomich, PLC launches new site as legal resource addressing land use and zoning for religious and legal communities Contact: Don Tanner or Maggie Sisco, 248-626-0006 DETROIT, May 16, 2014 /Christian Newswire/ — Dalton & Tomich PLC, today unveiled a new website which examines […]
Read MoreChurch of our Savior vs. Jacksonville Beach, Florida – our latest Religious Land Use case
On Tuesday, February 18, 2014 we will be arguing a Motion for Preliminary Injunction and opposing a Motion to Dismiss in a landmark religious land use case in the United States District Court, Middle District, Jacksonville, Florida. The Church of Our Savior, located in Jacksonville […]
Read MoreSouthern District of Florida Approves Kosher Diet for Jewish Prisoners
The Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000 (“RLUIPA”) is comprised of two distinct areas of law: one that focuses on land use disputes facing religious institutions, and the other that focuses on interferences with the religious rights of incarcerated individuals. While Dalton […]
Read MoreSCOTUS Declines to Hear RLUIPA Appeal; RLUIPA Helps New Jersey Hare Krishna Group
It has been a busy couple of weeks around the nation for religious organizations, as there have been a number of land use cases under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (“RLUIPA”) making their way through the courts and local zoning boards. Three […]
Read MoreDalton & Tomich Secures Settlement for Mississippi Christian-Based Recovery Facility
Dalton & Tomich attorneys have helped secure a legal settlement that allows their client, a non-profit recovery center in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, to provide long-term housing for single mothers recovering from addiction. Lighthouse Rescue Mission provides housing, treatment, and Christian-based religious services to single mothers who […]
Read MoreSeventh Circuit: No RLUIPA Violation for Rejecting Bible Camp’s Zoning Requests
A recent decision from the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals found that a Wisconsin town did not violate RLUIPA when it refused to allow a year-round Bible camp to operate in a single-family residential area. In Eagle Cove Camp & Conference Center, Inc. v. Town […]
Read MoreFirst Circuit Court of Appeals Affirms Need for RLUIPA Plaintiffs to Exhaust Administrative Remedies
A recent decision from the First Circuit Court of Appeals showed how important it is for religious organizations claiming a government has violated the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (“RLUIPA”) to exhaust their administrative remedies before heading to court. In Roman Catholic Bishop […]
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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