Zoned Out
Why churches end up on the outskirts of town—and what you can do about it.
Zoning
Watch Your Step
Business activity in your church can impact employment policies and zoning.
Church’s Application for Special Use Permit Denied
City refuses to allow a church to move into an area zoned for industrial use.
Land Use Regulations
A federal district court in Michigan ruled that a city violated the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) by denying a church the right to use its property for church purposes on the basis of a parking ordinance.
Zoning and Substantial Burden
An Oregon court ruled that a county did not violate RLUIPA by denying a church permission to construct a parochial school on its premises.
Zoning Laws
The Vermont Supreme Court rejected an attempt by neighboring landowners to halt the construction of a cell phone tower on church property.
Zoning – Part 2
Local zoning laws generally allow “churches” in residential areas.
Zoning – Part 1
A city did not violate the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) by denying a church's request for a permit to operate a day care program in a residential neighborhood.
Zoning
A church's rights under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act were not violated by a city's denial of its application for a conditional use permit to construct a new sanctuary.
Church Property – Part 2
A Texas court ruled that a church had to be evicted from its property because its use of the property for religious purposes violated a "restrictive covenant" in a prior deed.
Church Property – Part 1
A city ordinance requiring a church to "tap in" to a city sewer line, at a substantial cost, did not violate the federal Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) or the First Amendment.
Zoning
A Kansas court ruled that a neighboring landowner waited too long to halt a church construction project that in his opinion violated setback requirements in the local zoning law.
Zoning – Part 1
A Michigan court ruled that a trial court acted improperly in dismissing a church's claim that a city violated RLUIPA.
Zoning – Part 2
A Missouri court ruled that a city did not violate the first amendment guaranty of religious freedom in refusing to grant a church's request for a permit to construct a sign on its property.
Zoning – Part 1
A Washington court ruled that a county zoning board did not violate the First Amendment by denying a denominational headquarters the right to build.
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.
Be Aware of Restrictive Covenants on Property
Ignoring these covenants can lead to serious legal consequences.
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
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.