Gain Insights From Past RLUIPA Cases
Church land use and zoning cases are complex, even for a property dispute lawyer. Relocating or building a church, mosque, temple, school or synagogue isn’t just a simple real estate transaction. Religious institutions often encounter discrimination from municipalities and other local governments before or during the land use planning process. This can include denial of a zoning variance or conditional use permit along with a number of other planning commission decisions.
As the RLUIPA cases below show, religious organizations have protections under the law that can be exercised. The roadblocks that are put in the way can be overcome with the right legal strategy.
Using Our Case Studies
Case studies highlighting many RLUIPA case victories and rulings since 2015 can be found here. They are informative examples for any land use lawyer who is planning to represent a religious entity. These studies also give religious entities a better idea of whether RLUIPA or a related act applies to their own case.
You will find RLUIPA cases argued at all levels, from contesting the decision of planning boards in the local county court to the Circuit Court of Appeals to federal courts. These cases take place in cities throughout the United States. We also discuss rulings on how RLUIPA can be applied and other court decisions that impact a religious group’s land use rights.

Court orders City of St. Pete Beach to pay $250,000+ of church’s attorney fees in case involving church’s provision of free parking
In violation of federal law, city sought to forbid Pass-A-Grille […]
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Religious Land Use & the Church: Client Testimonial and Virtual Roundtable series
Church Law & Tax is a leading resource for church […]
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Dalton & Tomich wins injunction against Hinds County, Mississippi on behalf of The Church at Jackson
County’s zoning ordinance violates Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons […]
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Park and pray? Church wins preliminary injunction against City of St. Pete Beach, which attempted to forbid public parking in Church’s lot
City’s punitive measures restricting religious exercise of Pass-A-Grille Beach Community […]
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Fulton v. City of Philadelphia reflects rising trend of cities restricting faith-based organizations from serving their communities
“In some cases, zoning and land use restrictions are choking […]
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Florida Church Secures Right to Operate Religious Transition Homes and $160,000 in Settlement with Wakulla County
Today, a federal court in Tallahassee, Fla., entered a final […]
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A Hand of Hope Pregnancy Resource Center Settles Land Use Suit with Raleigh, N.C.
Today, Dalton & Tomich client A Hand of Hope Pregnancy […]
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Land use webinar: learn the lay of the land
Media Contacts: Barbara Fornasiero, EAFocus Communications; barbara@eafocus.com; 248.260.8466; Daniel Dalton; […]
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Court enjoins County who tried to close a Christian Recovery Home
Court order allows City Walk to continue transition home ministry […]
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Court Orders municipality to tax residents after its leaders refused to pay a judgment
Civil rights litigation is vitally important. But it is neither […]
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Dalton & Tomich sues Wakulla County, Florida who tried to close a religious shelter
Lawsuit seeks to secure City Walk’s right under RLUIPA to […]
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Court Enters Judgment and Adds to Major Attorney Fee Award in RLUIPA Case Against Borough of Litchfield, CT
On March 31, 2020, the United States District Court of […]
Read MoreRLUIPA Protections
The Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) protects organizations like yours from discrimination when local governments try to unjustly prevent or hinder construction projects and land use. Religious institutions across the country have won RLUIPA cases and successfully defended their rights to acquire and occupy new land with the help of the experienced religious land use and zoning attorneys at Dalton & Tomich, PLC.