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.
No Land Use Regulation, No RLUIPA Violation
As explained more thoroughly in “Litigating Religious Land Use Cases,” RLUIPA contains five claims under its broad statutory umbrella. And while each claim has distinct and separate elements, allclaims start with: “No government shall impose or implement a land use regulation. . . .”[1]RLUIPA’s text […]
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Parking requirements for Religious Assembly: How RLUIPA helps
When it comes to abiding by land use and zoning laws, many religious assemblies and institutions face hurdles. Depending on the circumstances, meeting a city’s parking requirements can be a big one. The City of Chicago’s parking requirements, for example, seemed to be the only […]
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Kavanaugh, J., May Decide Fate of “Williamson County” Rule That Plagues Religious Land Use Cases
As we wrote in October, the Supreme Court is considering whether to overrule its decision in Williamson County in the case of Knick v. Scott Township. The Williamson County rule requires property owners to exhaust state remedies before they can ask a federal court to decide whether the government […]
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The Three takeaways from the Third Global Gathering of the Wesleyan Covenant Association
It was a privilege to attend the Third Annual Global gathering of the Wesleyan Covenant Association (WCA) meeting in Marietta, Georgia on Saturday November 3, 2018. Having attended the prior gatherings in Houston, Texas and Chicago, Illinois, it was good to see how much […]
Read MoreNoel Sterett Argues RLUIPA Case Before Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals on Halloween
On Wednesday, October 31, 2018, I spent my Halloween exactly how every attorney would like to spend it: arguing an important case in front of a panel of three of the most distinguished federal judges in the country. The Honorable Judges Easterbrook, Flaum, and Brennan […]
Read MoreThe Methodist Way Forward? The Judicial Council Decision and its impact on the local Methodist Church
On Friday October 26, 2018 the Judicial Conference issued its opinion concerning the constitutionality of the One Church Plan and the Traditional Plan that will be presented to the General Conference of the United Methodist Church in February 2019. In sum, the Judicial Council ruled […]
Read MoreCourt Enters Order Protecting Hope Lutheran Church Just Six Weeks After Suit Filed
On September 14, 2018, Dalton & Tomich attorneys Noel Sterett and Larry Opalewski filed a federal religious land use suit on behalf of Hope Lutheran Church against the City of St. Ignace, MI. The church, which had been meeting at its property at 132 S. […]
Read MoreSupreme Court Asked to Protect Religious Land Use Plaintiffs from “Williamson County” Rule
In 1985, the Supreme Court decided a Fifth Amendment takings case called Williamson County Regional Planning Commission v. Hamilton Bank of Johnson City. The Court held that property owners had to exhaust state remedies before they could ask a federal court to decide whether the […]
Read MoreMinisterial Housing Allowance Case Argued Before Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals
This morning the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals heard oral argument in the case involving the constitutionality of the ministerial housing allowance. Since 1954, a tax rule has allowed a “minister of the gospel” to be exempt from income tax on compensation that is part […]
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Attorney Noel Sterett Featured On Bold Church Initiative Podcast “Navigating Zoning and Land Use Laws”
Recently, Dalton & Tomich attorney Noel Sterett joined attorney Josh Hershberger of the Bold Church Initiative podcast to discuss Noel’s passion for protecting religious liberty in land use cases across the country. The podcast covers not only how Noel discovered his passion and calling to […]
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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