Amish communities threaten lawsuit against Minnesota county over permit fees

Two Amish communities in Mille Lacs County, Minnesota, are threatening legal action against local officials, alleging that the county’s building permit system discriminates against their religious beliefs. The dispute arose after the county transitioned its permitting process from paper forms to an electronic system. Because many members of the Old Order Amish avoid technology for religious reasons, they were reportedly left without a way to obtain building clearances for an extended period.

While the county has since introduced a paper filing option, lawyers representing the congregations argue that a $50 fee for paper applications creates an unfair financial burden that specifically targets the Amish. Legal representatives from the First Liberty Institute, Foley & Lardner LLP, and the Harvard Law School Religious Freedom Clinic have issued a demand letter to the county. They argue the current enforcement and permitting requirements place an unlawful burden on religious practices and claim the situation has led to reports of arrest warrants and even the jailing of community members.

The legal teams are seeking a resolution to avoid litigation, requesting that the county work with Amish representatives to accommodate their way of life.