Growing Church Challenges, Overcomes Zoning Restrictions
by Allie Martin
April 23, 2004
(AgapePress) - A California city has agree to adopt church-friendly zoning codes. The move came after one church challenged those codes and emerged a winner.Recently city officials in Claremont, California, denied a church's request for a conditional use permit to build a new worship center. The Pacific Justice Institute (PJI) intervened, writing a letter to the city on the church's behalf explaining that the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA), passed by Congress in 2000, limits cities' ability to stymie church growth.
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Brad Dacus |
In response, the City of Claremont not only reversed its decision, it also agreed to amend the municipal code to ensure that all religious assembly uses are treated equally in all zoning districts. PJI's Brad Dacus explains:"The zoning ordinances that they've had on the books were adopted long before the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000," he says. "Many churches, in fact, are in a similar situation of having these old policies that are hostile and discriminatory against churches."
The attorney says it is "good news" that Claremont agreed to comply with federal law and consider the church's request for expansion. He says many cities are simply not aware of broad freedom given to churches by federal law. That is why Dacus encourages churches that may be facing difficulties involving local government or zoning issues to contact the Pacific Justice Institute.
"It is imperative that other cities follow Claremont's example and ensure that their local zoning codes do not place substantial burden on church growth," he adds.
