Justice Department Files Lawsuit Against City of Troy Idaho Over Denied Church Permit Citing Religious Discrimination

In a surprising move that’s grabbing attention, the Justice Department has stepped in to challenge a decision made by the City of Troy, Idaho.

They’ve filed a lawsuit accusing the city of violating a federal law meant to protect religious groups when it denied a permit to a local church trying to find a new home.

Christ Church’s Struggle for Space in Troy

Christ Church, a small evangelical congregation, found itself stuck.

The space where they’d been holding services just wasn’t big enough anymore, and renting another spot wasn’t an option.

So, they applied for a conditional use permit (CUP) to open their church in a part of town zoned for community gatherings—places like clubs, museums, and galleries are allowed there.

But the city said no. And it wasn’t just a quiet rejection.

The local community pushed back hard against the church’s application.

Many residents voiced strong opposition, and according to the lawsuit, their objections were often rooted in dislike for the church’s beliefs.

The city even admitted they were denying the permit because the public was “heavily against” the church, with most residents opposed.

The Justice Department’s Response to Religious Discrimination

This is where the Justice Department draws the line. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon made it clear that local governments can’t just reject religious groups because of personal or community biases.

“RLUIPA unequivocally forbids local governments from deciding zoning matters based on their dislike of certain religious groups,” she said.

The department is serious about enforcing this.

They say they won’t hesitate to take legal action against any city or town that discriminates based on religion when it comes to land use.

How the City of Troy’s Decision Burdened Christ Church

The lawsuit claims that denying Christ Church’s permit caused a heavy burden for the congregation, preventing them from finding a suitable place to worship.

It also points out that the city’s zoning rules treat religious groups worse than other types of community groups, which is against the law.

This case challenges the city for violating several key parts of the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA), including provisions about imposing burdens, offering equal treatment, and avoiding discrimination.

Understanding RLUIPA and Its Protections

RLUIPA is a federal law designed to protect religious individuals and organizations from unfair land use rules.

It ensures religious assemblies get treated just as fairly as other community groups, without undue restrictions or discrimination.

To help communities understand these protections, the Justice Department has a Place to Worship Initiative.

As part of this, they sent letters to local leaders nationwide reminding them about their responsibilities under RLUIPA.

What You Can Do if You Face Discrimination

If someone feels they’ve been unfairly targeted in zoning or land use decisions because of their religion, the Civil Rights Division encourages them to reach out.

You can call the Housing and Civil Enforcement Section at (833) 591-0291 or file a complaint online through the RLUIPA complaint portal.

For more details about RLUIPA, including FAQs and resources, the Justice Department offers a helpful guide at www.justice.gov/crt/about/hce/rluipaexplain.php.