Content Neutrality and Signs: The Reed v. Gilbert Decision and the Aftermath
Written October 16, 2019
On June 18, 2015, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) unanimously agreed that a Gilbert, Arizona sign code violated the First Amendment freedom of speech rights of Rev. Clyde Reed and his Good News Community Church. The decision potentially made all US sign codes unconstitutional because of the concept of “content neutrality,” which concerns the regulation of signs based on what they say. Reed v. Town of Gilbert is undoubtedly the most important sign-related court case of the past 35 years.