Church Property – Part 2
A Missouri court ruled that a "restrictive covenant" contained in the deed to church property prevented a church from building a parking lot.
Building Codes
Zoning – Part 3
A federal court in New York ruled that a city's refusal to issue a special use permit to allow a religious day school to expand its facilities violated federal law.
Zoning – Part 2
A Pennsylvania court ruled that a commercial child care center was a permissible "accessory use" of church property under the zoning ordinance.
Zoning
A Connecticut appeals court ruled that a city zoning commission acted improperly in denying a church's application for a special use permit.
Zoning
A federal district court in California ruled that a city could not seize a church's property through eminent domain.
Churches—Definition
The Nebraska Supreme Court ruled that the term “church” is not limited to buildings that are owned by a religious congregation, but also includes rented facilities.
Church Property – Part 2
A Colorado court ruled that a church had to demolish or “modify” a new addition that it built in violation of a local building code.
Church Property – Part 4
A North Carolina court ruled that a “restrictive covenant” in a deed to a church’s property requiring it to use the property for residential purposes was not legally enforceable.
Zoning – Part 2
A Texas court ruled that a city could compel a church-operated school to close because it failed to comply with various safety provisions in a city building code.
Zoning – Part 1
A federal court in Connecticut ruled that a city zoning commission violated federal law when it ordered a homeowner to stop conducting weekly prayer group meetings in his home.
Church Property – Part 2
A Wisconsin court ruled that a city did not violate the constitutional rights of a church by requiring it to install a sprinkler system in its 35-year-old sanctuary.
Zoning Variances for Churches
Court rules zoning board needs to attempt to accommodate zoning requests.
Zoning Laws and Homeless Shelters
Zoning laws may prevent churches from having homeless shelters on their property.
Church Wins Zoning Dispute
Zoning commission had denied special permit for church building in a residential area.
Registration Fee for Religious Groups Permissible
Fees to reimburse a city for certain services acceptable.