§2000cc Protection of land use as religious exercise

Summary

Governments must not use land-use rules in a way that puts a big burden on someone's religious practice, including churches and other religious groups. If a government does impose such a burden, it must prove the burden serves a very important government goal and that there is no less restrictive way to reach that goal. That rule applies when the program gets federal money, when the burden affects trade with other countries, states, or tribes, or when officials make individualized decisions about how property can be used. Governments must treat religious groups the same as nonreligious ones. They cannot single out or punish groups for their religion or denomination. They also cannot totally ban religious assemblies from an area or unreasonably limit their buildings or activities.