§2000cc Protection of Land Use as Religious Exercise

Summary

Government must not use land rules to place a big burden on a person’s or group’s religious practice, including churches or other religious organizations, unless it proves two things: there is a very important government reason for the burden, and the burden is the least restrictive way to reach that reason. This rule applies when the land rule is part of a program that gets federal money (even if the rule applies to everyone), when the burden affects trade with foreign nations, between states, or with Indian tribes, or when the government enforces land rules by making case-by-case decisions about how a property can be used. Government must treat religious gatherings and institutions the same as nonreligious ones. It cannot single out or punish groups because of their religion or denomination. It also cannot completely ban religious assemblies from an area or place unreasonable limits on their buildings or activities.