DOJ Sues City of Troy Over Denial of Christ Church's Zoning Permit

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a lawsuit against the City of Troy, Idaho, alleging that the city violated the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) by denying a conditional use permit to Christ Church, an evangelical congregation seeking to establish a place of worship within the city's commercial zoning district.

The lawsuit, filed on May 20, 2025, contends that Troy's denial was influenced by public opposition rooted in animosity toward Christ Church's beliefs, thereby imposing a substantial burden on the congregation and treating religious assemblies less favorably than nonreligious ones, in violation of RLUIPA's provisions.

Christ Church, based in Moscow, Idaho, has approximately 800 to 900 members. The church's mission is to "make Moscow a Christian town," and its leaders advocate for a theocratic vision for the United States. The church has been a polarizing presence in the community, notably during the COVID-19 pandemic when members protested the city's mask mandate.

In November 2022, Christ Church elder Matt Meyer purchased a vacant former bank building in Troy's downtown commercial district with the intention of converting part of the property into a space for worship services and church meetings. The other part of the property was intended to be rented out as an event space for the community. Meyer applied for a conditional use permit, stating that there would be little impact on surrounding businesses and that the purchase would bring in property tax revenue for the city.

The City of Troy held a public hearing on the application, during which local residents expressed strong opposition. Concerns were raised about parking, downtown traffic, and the impact on commercial growth. Some comments reflected animosity toward Christ Church's beliefs. In its denial of the application, the City Council cited that the "great majority of the city residents" opposed granting the permit.

City Attorney Todd Richardson denied allegations of religious discrimination, stating that the permit denial was based on zoning criteria, including compatibility with the commercial district and parking availability, not on the church's religious affiliation. He emphasized that the church's activities would place a strain on the city's limited resources, particularly concerning parking in the downtown area.

RLUIPA is a federal law enacted in 2000 to protect individuals and religious institutions from discriminatory land use regulations. It prohibits local governments from imposing land use regulations that place a substantial burden on religious exercise unless there is a compelling governmental interest pursued in the least restrictive means. It also requires that religious assemblies be treated on equal terms with nonreligious assemblies.

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division stated, "RLUIPA unequivocally forbids local governments from deciding zoning matters based on their dislike of certain religious groups." She added, "The Department of Justice will not hesitate to file suit against jurisdictions that discriminate in land use matters on the basis of the applicants’ religious beliefs."

The DOJ's lawsuit alleges that the City's denial of the permit imposed a substantial burden on Christ Church and was based on the community's discriminatory animus against the church. It also alleges that the City's zoning code treats religious assembly use worse than nonreligious assembly use, violating RLUIPA's substantial burden, equal terms, and discrimination provisions.

This is not the first instance of Christ Church facing opposition in the region. In June 2023, the church planned to hold services at the Ye Olde Bank Event Center in Troy despite the City Council's denial of a conditional use permit. The event center, owned by Christ Church elder Matt Meyer, advertised weekly services, leading to tensions with city officials and residents.

The DOJ's lawsuit against the City of Troy underscores the complex interplay between religious freedom, community interests, and municipal governance. As the case progresses, it will likely serve as a significant reference point for similar disputes nationwide.