Substantial Burden
Religious Worship in Residential Homes: Is it an Accessory Use or Change of Use?
In many religious denominations, churches have their members form bible studies or small groups where members meet on a weekly basis to form a community within the church. These matters generally do not raise a concern for communities. However, when a home church starts […]
Read MoreCommunity meals and RLUIPA
St. Vincent de Paul Place, Norwich, Inc., (“St Vincent” or “Appellant”) is a community meal site and food pantry “that strives to meet the needs of homeless people and families with limited income in the greater Norwich[,] [Connecticut] area.” On July 9, 2012, St. Vincent […]
Read MorePrior approval to assemble and use a building for Church and the subsequent demand to leave: RLUIPA and Substantial Burden concerns
The Church of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (“Plaintiff” or “Church”) brought suit against the City of Markham, Illinois (“Defendant” or “City”), following the City’s denial of a special use permit to allow Plaintiff to operate a church in an area zoned residential. Upon […]
Read MoreZoning maps, zoning changes and RLUIPA -Liberty Temple Full Gospel Church, Inc. v. Village of Bolingbrook , Illinois
Liberty Temple Church of Bolingbrook (“Liberty Bolingbrook” or “Church”) is a small congregation of less than 100 members, and a branch of Liberty Temple Full Gospel Church, Inc. (“Liberty Gospel” or “Plaintiff). Liberty Gospel is a not-for-profit organization that is registered in Illinois, and has […]
Read MoreConverting a residential home to Church: Do you still need to comply with zoning ordinances?
Faith Walk Fellowship Church (“Faith Walk”) owns a single-family residence in a single-family residential district of Cleveland, Ohio (“the City”). As churches are permitted uses in single-family residential districts, Faith Walk sought a variance to use the residence as a church, and to install a […]
Read MoreLicensing requirements and Ripeness: Davis v. City of Selma, California
Stephanie Davis (“Plaintiff”) is a spiritual counselor providing counseling in the County of Fresno, but sought to provide spiritual counseling within the incorporated City of Selma, California (“Defendant” or “City”). Plaintiffs spiritual and counseling activities are founded on and motivated by her fundamental religious beliefs, […]
Read MoreState Environmental Laws and RLUIPA
When does state environmental laws impact RLUIPA? We previously blogged on Fortress Bible Church v. Feiner, a case where the local community improperly used the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act (“SEQRA”) to block a religious institution from building in the local community. A […]
Read MoreBuilding Codes, Fire Codes and RLUIPA – Affordable Recovery Housing v. The City of Blue Island
SCENARIO: Affordable Recovery Housing (“ARH” or “Plaintiff”) is a non-profit, faith-based organization located in the City of Blue Island, Illinois (“Blue Island” or “Defendant”), on a property referred to as the “Mother of Sorrows property” (“the Property”). Since the mid-1950’s, the Mantellate Sisters of Mary […]
Read MoreHomeless Ministries and RLUIPA
Harbor Missionary Church (“the Church”), located in the City of San Buenaventura, California (“Ventura” or “the City”), provides daily chapel services, bible studies, and prayer to the community of Ventura. Specifically, the Church has devoted itself to serving the needs of Ventura’s homeless population, believing […]
Read MoreRLUIPA – Complete Religious Land Use Resources now available
The law firm of Dalton & Tomich PLC is proud to announce that it has prepared the very first comprehensive list of RLUIPA land use cases and Law Review Articles on its website, www.attorneysforlanduse.com The success rates and chronological listing of cases provide illustration of […]
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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