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.
Ripeness and RLUIPA
An August 2012 opinion out of the Southern District of Ohio provides a recent warning to all churches in the midst of the land use and zoning process not to ignore the specifics of local zoning law from the outset as you go about plans […]
Read MoreRLUIPA trial begins October 9: the Academy of Our Lady of Peace v. City of San Diego
San Diego – The Honorable Cathy Ann Bencivengo, United States District Court Judge for the Southern District of California, has set a trial date of October 9, 2012 in the case of Academy of Our Lady of Peace v. City of San Diego, a precedent-setting […]
Read MoreThe use of RLUIPA to gain access to entry of a religious facility
A federal judge has granted a Temporary Restraining Order in favor of a Mosque in Tennessee. In United States v. Rutherford County, the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro and the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Justice Department both filed lawsuits against Rutherford County, Tennessee. The […]
Read MoreRLUIPA includes private chapel’s
A federal court in California recently held that an individual adequately stated a claim under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) when he was not allowed to build a chapel on his land. In Anselmo v. County of Shasta, California, the plaintiff, […]
Read MoreWedding ceremonies are protected under the First Amendment Free Exercise Clause
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that wedding ceremonies are protected expression under the First Amendment. In Kaahumanu v. State of Hawaii, a dispute arose over regulations imposed by the State of Hawaii on the types of activities allowed on public beaches. During […]
Read MoreApplying the Establishment Clause to Public School Graduation Locations
The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals recently overturned a Wisconsin district court and ruled that a public school district’s practice of renting the auditorium of a nearby church for graduation ceremonies violates the Establishment Clause of the U.S. Constitution. In John Doe v. Elmbrook School […]
Read MoreEqual Treatment under RLUIPA
A federal district court in the Northern District of Illinois recently denied a religious organization’s motions for preliminary injunction against the City of Blue Island, Illinois. In Affordable Recovery Housing v. The City of Blue Island, the plaintiff Affordable Recovery Housing (ARH) leased a property […]
Read MoreEstablishing religious beliefs under RLUIPA
The Wisconsin Court of Appeals for District IV recently overturned a dismissal of an action by the County of Jackson against Joni L. Borntreger for failure to obtain a zoning permit before building a sawmill on his property. In County of Jackson v. Joni L. […]
Read MoreReligious Land Use update
There has been a string of recent decisions concerning religious land use that significantly impact religious land decisions in the United States. A sample of the cases follow: In Liberty Temple Full Gospel Church, Inc. v. Village of Bolingbrook, No. 11C2173, 2012 WL 1230728 (N.D.Ill. […]
Read MoreBridging the Cultural Gap with Religious Entities
What role does religion play in land use? Imagine these scenarios: A local Church encourages its members to host small group Bible studies to develop close relationships within the church family. A family begins to host a few people for weekly prayer and discussion in […]
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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