Calvary Chapel San Diego v. City of Chula Vista

Location: Chula Vista, California

Defending the right of Christian schools and churches to receive fair and equal treatment from municipal authorities

Calvary Chapel San Diego is seeking to expand its current facilities. Despite the City’s specific plan stating that churches and ancillary Christian schools are permitted as a matter of right, the church was required to submit a conditional use permit (CUP) application. The church is now on its second CUP application, and despite time and finances spent to obtain an approval, it has yet to get the City's approval. In fact, the City has been dragging its feet for months. We intend to file a lawsuit in Federal District Court if the City does not comply with our demands that it act constitutionally.

Additionally, Calvary’s Christian school uses the City Park next to its facility for physical education. While other groups and schools have been permitted to use the park during the day for the same type of use, the City informed the church last year that it would no longer be able to use the grounds. We sent a letter to the City demanding that it allow the church to use the park. City staff backed down, and a mutually acceptable agreement was approved by the City Council at a public hearing. The church and school now enjoy equal access to the facility.