Can I build a church on my property, or bring in a cabin for a church?

[BarneyBill]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Texas

I'm pretty sure in Texas, churches are exempt from local zoning because of freedom of religion.

My home is located in a neighborhood, however, it is pretty unique. We have about 5 acres of land in that said neighborhood. For those who don't know, it's about roughly 200,000++ sqft of land. So yes, we mow for hours at a time.

Anyway, we want to start a church, and perhaps either do it in our home or a portable building... Something like a large cabin being brought in.

Can the city zoning, code, or building codes prevent this from happening in any way, shape, or form. We have PLENTY of space, and it will be a smaller gathering (7 cars tops). We are not bringing plumbing to the building, (if we go that route) and will plug it in via extension cord. Toilets would be in my home not a small walk away....

Appreciate the thoughts/answers in advance.

 

[quincy]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Texas

I'm pretty sure in Texas, churches are exempt from local zoning because of freedom of religion.

My home is located in a neighborhood, however, it is pretty unique. We have about 5 acres of land in that said neighborhood. For those who don't know, it's about roughly 200,000++ sqft of land. So yes, we mow for hours at a time.

Anyway, we want to start a church, and perhaps either do it in our home or a portable building... Something like a large cabin being brought in.

Can the city zoning, code, or building codes prevent this from happening in any way, shape, or form. We have PLENTY of space, and it will be a smaller gathering (7 cars tops). We are not bringing plumbing to the building, (if we go that route) and will plug it in via extension cord. Toilets would be in my home not a small walk away....

Appreciate the thoughts/answers in advance.

Yes. City zoning or building codes could prevent the building of a church on your property - so I suggest you personally check your city's zoning and building codes.

 

[xylene]

Only in your imagination does religous freedom exempt you from zoning.

I suggest you talk to a church planter for guidance, both pastorally and legally on doing this the right way.

Because there is something odd in what either seems to be a confrontational desire to wrangle with authority, or at least of a church's place in the community (ie flaunting the law isn't helping do gods work)

 

[quincy]

Here is a link to the Religious Land Uses and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA), which may be of interest:

https://www.justice.gov/crt/42-usca-i-2000cc

You might be able to get a special use or a conditional use permit to operate a church on your property but it is not a guarantee by any means.

 

[HRZ]

They are subject to T X state building codes as a place of public assembly ...and that covers a lot of things like parking, bathrooms, handicapped accessibility , lighting and so forth ....

Churchs may get a lot of local slack ....but that's a local homework issue.

 

[quincy]

Only in your imagination does religous freedom exempt you from zoning.

I suggest you talk to a church planter for guidance, both pastorally and legally on doing this the right way.

Because there is something odd in what either seems to be a confrontational desire to wrangle with authority, or at least of a church's place in the community (ie flaunting the law isn't helping do gods work)

And for gardening advice.

 

[adjusterjack]

(ie flaunting the law isn't helping do gods work)

Hmm. Which group of "gods"?

Roman, Greek, Norse, Egyptian.

Lots of gods in each of those groups.

 

[justalayman]

Hmm. Which group of "gods"?

Roman, Greek, Norse, Egyptian.

Lots of gods in each of those groups.

Well, op didn’t provide what religion he follows.

 

[quincy]

Well, op didn’t provide what religion he follows.

If it's Santeria, he might face additional problems from PETA over chicken sacrifices.

 

[FarmerJ]

You should be able to use existing structures on your property including your own home as a place to have others join you in worship since its not likely you will find any so called ordinances forbidding you from having a number of people over in the same way one might have a large group over for a back yard wedding or graduation party or even a large gathering for say thanksgiving. If you are in a city it will likely have clear rules as to accessory buildings uses. There are two properties I know of with in ten miles of me where the owners are ministers and have built church -chapel structures in what appears to be pole sheds on the outsides. If this is what you truly wish to do and your not able to due to so called zoning rules or land use rules then you may well have to move to a more rural area that lacks zoning rules ( theres not many of them left since even rural townships seem to be adopting zoning rules or taking directions from the counties they are in )

 

[quincy]

You should be able to use existing structures on your property including your own home as a place to have others join you in worship since its not likely you will find any so called ordinances forbidding you from having a number of people over in the same way one might have a large group over for a back yard wedding or graduation party or even a large gathering for say thanksgiving. If you are in a city it will likely have clear rules as to accessory buildings uses. There are two properties I know of with in ten miles of me where the owners are ministers and have built church -chapel structures in what appears to be pole sheds on the outsides. If this is what you truly wish to do and your not able to due to so called zoning rules or land use rules then you may well have to move to a more rural area that lacks zoning rules ( theres not many of them left since even rural townships seem to be adopting zoning rules or taking directions from the counties they are in )

I suspect a special use or conditional use permit will be needed at the very least.

 

[not2cleverRed]

Creepy posting hx.
https://forum.freeadvice.com/wills-trusts-estate-planning-113/life-estate-can-i-keep-people-off-my-property-after-life-tenant-dies-639236.html

 

[quincy]

Creepy posting hx.
https://forum.freeadvice.com/wills-trusts-estate-planning-113/life-estate-can-i-keep-people-off-my-property-after-life-tenant-dies-639236.html

You really need to read more threads, Red.

Barney's posting history is not all that "creepy" when compared to some (e.g., see: "Choice or Murder?" by ThePTB).

 

[xylene]

And for gardening advice.

That's not a mistake.

Church Planters are christian orgs that help people build churches. With guidance, legal and permitting advice, even financing and discounts from companies who make modular commercial buildings...



(i did miss the aphostrophe, ooops)

 

[quincy]

That's not a mistake.

Church Planters are christian orgs that help people build churches. With guidance, legal and permitting advice, even financing and discounts from companies who make modular commercial buildings...



(i did miss the aphostrophe, ooops)

Did I say it was a mistake?

Did Barney say he was Christian?