Court Says Church Can Continue Use of Building, But Must Comply With Code

In Guatay Christian Fellowship v. County of San Diego, (SD CA, Nov. 18, 2008), a California federal district court, citing "the overwhelming public interest ... in religious freedoms and activities", issued a preliminary injunction allowing a church to continue to meet in a trailer park recreation center that it rented. The building is currently zoned for serving alcoholic beverages and live entertainment, but not for religious use, and the county had issued a cease and desist order against the church. While enjoining enforcement of that order, the court required the church to first remedy the eight most serious code violations identified by county zoning authorities and to apply for a master use permit within 30 days of remedying the violations. Other code violations must be remedied within 90 days. The court said that the church's RLUIPA claim was not ripe because the church had not applied for a use permit or a zoning change. Today's San Diego Union-Tribune reports on the decision.