US Supreme Court religious gathering zoning case

The Supreme Court of the United States has agreed to hear Daniel Grand v. University Heights, Ohio, a legal challenge regarding whether local zoning and land-use regulations can restrict religious practices within private residences.

The dispute began when Daniel Grand, an Orthodox Jew, attempted to host a minyan—a religious gathering of at least ten adult males—at his home. The city of University Heights issued a cease-and-desist order, asserting that such gatherings constitute a place of religious assembly requiring special permits. Lower courts, including the Sixth Circuit, dismissed the case on the grounds that it was not ‘ripe’ for judicial review because the plaintiff had not exhausted the local permitting process.

In support of the challenge, the Department of Justice filed a brief urging the Supreme Court to reverse the lower court's ruling. The DOJ argued that the injury to Grand was already concrete and that local governments cannot use zoning laws to unlawfully block small religious groups from gathering in private homes. Additionally, Grand’s legal team alleges that after he withdrew a permit application, the city engaged in retaliatory actions, including police patrols and investigations into housing code violations.