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.
Ministerial 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 MoreSixth Circuit Takes Side in Split over What It Means to Treat Religious Assemblies Equally; Dissent Filed by Judge Thapar Raises Prospects of Supreme Court Review
The “Equal Terms” provision of the Religious Land Use & Institutionalized Persons Act (“RLUIPA”) provides that “[n]o government shall impose or implement a land use regulation in a manner that treats a religious assembly or institution on less than equal terms with a nonreligious assembly […]
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Court rules Chabad renovation should move forward after denial of Certificate of Appropriateness
In the summer of 2017, the law firm of Dalton & Tomich, PLC was retained, and successfully litigated, a decade old case through trial in the United States District Court in New Haven, Connecticut on behalf of Chabad Lubavitch of Litchfield County. The Chabad sued […]
Read MoreA RLUIPA win in California: West Valley Christian Center v. City of Los Angeles, California
We are pleased to report that our client, West Valley Christian Center located in the Chatsworth area of Los Angeles, has reached a tentative settlement in its religious land use case against the City of Los Angeles, California. Permits have issued, construction has commenced and […]
Read MoreHow a local Church won a religious land use / RLUIPA case and re-established a relationship with a local community
The Aspen Times reported today about the impact of a religious land use case litigated by Daniel Dalton a decade ago and the relationship between the church, Grace Church of the Roaring Fork, and Pitken County, Colorado. The story highlights the positive impact of the church […]
Read MoreLand use, zoning and civil rights attorney Larry Opalewski returns to Dalton & Tomich
Opalewski’s special interests include religious land use and constitutional law, seeks to counsel clients toward optimal solutions both in and out of the courtroom Lawrence Opalewski DETROIT (August 13, 2018) – Attorney Lawrence Opalewski has rejoined the law firm Dalton & Tomich, PLC. Opalewski focuses […]
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Do Religious Assemblies Have a Friend in Soon-to-be Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh?
As soon as Brett Kavanaugh was nominated for the Supreme Court, people on both sides of the political aisle began taking a fine tooth comb through his life, credit card bills, and court opinions. Some unearthed evidence that he accumulated tens of thousands of dollars […]
Read MoreReligious land use win establishes precedent that local governments cannot deny a religious use based on its determination of what a Church is
Irish Oaks is a non-denominational Christian church founded by a group of friends in rural Lapeer County. These friends were interested in developing their relationship with God but felt out of place in traditional, formal churches. So they decided to form their own church with […]
Read MoreEight Things To Know About Buying and Selling Waterfront Property
Owning waterfront land is not easy. Depending on the state you live in, the land that’s adjacent to a body of water normally carries with it certain rights relative to that body of water. Although water rights may vary according to federal, state and local law […]
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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