A federal appeals court has ruled that a Pennsylvania town’s ordinance restricting lawn signs violates the First Amendment rights of residents. The ordinance, passed in 2021, restricted the number, size, and duration of non-commercial signs, including political signs.
The suit was brought by the Camp Hill Borough Republican Association and two residents, who argued that the ordinance violated their right to free speech. The court agreed, finding that the ordinance discriminated based on content, was overly broad, and lacked a compelling reason to limit free speech.
The court’s decision is a victory for free speech advocates and a reminder that the government cannot censor speech simply because it disagrees with the message.
In a statement, the borough said it was disappointed with the decision and is concerned about the potential impact it may have on its ability to regulate signs in pursuit of traffic safety and aesthetics. A borough official said Friday that officials hadn’t decided whether to appeal.
