DOJ Files Federal Lawsuit Against Troy Idaho Over Religious Permit Denial

The U.S. Department of Justice filed a federal lawsuit against the city of Troy, Idaho, accusing it of religious discrimination for denying Christ Church a conditional use permit to hold worship services in a commercial zoning district where other nonreligious assemblies are allowed. The city cited parking concerns and the desire to preserve the downtown business district as reasons for denial, but the DOJ alleges the city placed a heavier burden on the church based on religious animus from local residents. Christ Church, an evangelical congregation that had outgrown its previous facility, struggled to find suitable rental spaces before settling on a refurbished downtown building owned by church elder Matt Meyer. The DOJ claims Troy violated the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) by imposing a substantial burden on the church's religious exercise and treating religious assemblies less favorably than secular ones. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon emphasized that RLUIPA prohibits local governments from making zoning decisions based on dislike of religious groups and warned that the DOJ will pursue legal action against jurisdictions that discriminate in land use matters based on religious beliefs. The ongoing controversy highlights tensions in small-town America regarding religious freedom, zoning rights, and community opposition to religious gatherings.