Guru Nanak Sikh Society of Yuba City v. County of Sutter

ORDER

Plaintiff, a Sikh religious organization, brings this action challenging county officials’ denial of its application for a use permit to build a temple on its land, alleging violations of the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000 (RLUIPA) and the U.S. Constitution. This matter comes before the court on the parties’ cross-motions for summary judgment. I decide the motions on the basis of the papers and pleadings filed herein, and after oral argument.

I.

UNDISPUTED FACTS

Plaintiff Guru Nanak Sikh Society of Yuba City (GNSSYC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering the teachings and practices of the Sikh religion. This action concerns a parcel of property that plaintiff owns in Yuba City, and on which plaintiff has sought to build a Sikh temple, or gwrudwara. Plaintiff brings suit against the County of Sutter and its Board of Supervisors, as well as Casey Kroon, Dennis Nelson, Larry Mun-ger and Dan Silva, each sued in their official capacities as members of the Sutter County Board of Supervisors, alleging various constitutional and statutory violations in connection with the County’s denial of plaintiffs application for a conditional use…