Grand v. City of Univ. Heights

August 20, 2026

Grand is a devout Orthodox Jew who merely wanted to invite a few other men into his home for prayer according to the requirements of their shared religious tradition. Not a loud, raucous assembly, not a large gathering that would generate traffic congestion—but simply peaceful prayer in the privacy of his home. Grand’s personal residence is not a public forum where the government might impose reasonable time-place-manner restrictions. Grand did not propose structural changes to his home, nor did he seek to construct a building or other structure. Under these circumstances, the First Amendment does not allow the government to require a “special use permit”

Read the full brief below:

“As a society, we need to cherish the institutions that bring us into existence, and give our existence meaning. I believe human flourishing starts with the heart and the home.”

Tami Fitzgerald, Executive Director, NC Values Institute

“While we are zealously performing the duties of good citizens and soldiers, we certainly ought not to be inattentive to the higher duties of religion. To the distinguished character of Patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished character of Christian.”

George Washington, 1st US President

“… if we descend still lower and go down to families, it is true even there that the village is composed of families and not that the families are cut from the village. The family was there first, and only then could the village take shape. Finally, if the village vanished there would still be families; but if the households were to disband the village too would come to an end.”

Abraham Kuyper, Former Dutch Prime Minister

Nc values institute

make a donation:

We can’t do this alone. We need your support to help us get our family and faith-friendly message to your friends, family, and church members. Will you join us?

Paid for by the NC Values Institute.

The Institute for Faith and Family is a non-partisan, statewide non-profit education organization that qualifies for tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is based in Raleigh, NC.