reed et al town gilbert arizona et argued january decided june gilbert arizona town comprehensive code sign code code prohibits display outdoor signs without permit exempts categories signs including three relevant ideological signs defined signs communicating message ideas fit sign code category may square feet placement time restrictions political signs defined signs designed influence outcome election may square feet may displayed election season temporary directional signs defined signs directing public church qualifying event even greater restrictions four signs limited six square feet may single property time signs may displayed hours qualifying event hour petitioners good news community church church pastor clyde reed whose sunday church services held various temporary locations near town posted signs early saturday bearing church name time location next service remove signs around midday sunday church cited exceeding time limits displaying temporary directional signs failing include event date signs unable reach accommodation town petitioners filed suit claiming code abridged freedom speech district denied motion preliminary injunction ninth circuit affirmed ultimately concluding code sign categories content neutral code satisfied intermediate scrutiny accorded regulations speech held sign code provisions regulations speech survive strict scrutiny pp laws target speech based communicative content presumptively unconstitutional may justified government proves narrowly tailored serve compelling state interests paul speech regulation content based law applies particular speech topic discussed idea message expressed sorrell ims health courts required consider whether regulation speech face draws distinctions based message speaker conveys whether laws define regulated speech particular subject matter function purpose subject strict scrutiny true laws though facially content neutral without reference content regulated speech adopted government disagreement message conveyed ward rock racism pp sign code content based face defines categories temporary political ideological signs basis messages subjects category different restrictions restrictions applied thus depend entirely sign communicative content code face regulation speech need consider government justifications purposes enacting code determine whether subject strict scrutiny pp none ninth circuit theories contrary holding persuasive conclusion town regulation based disagreement message conveyed skips crucial first step analysis determining whether law content neutral face law content based face subject strict scrutiny regardless government benign motive justification lack animus toward ideas contained regulated speech cincinnati discovery network thus innocuous justification transform facially law one content neutral must evaluate question whether law content based face whether purpose justification law content based concluding law content neutral ward require otherwise framework applies statute ninth circuit conclusion sign code single idea viewpoint discrimination conflates two distinct related limitations first amendment places government regulation speech government discrimination among viewpoints blatant egregious form content discrimination rosenberger rector visitors univ first amendment hostility regulation also extends prohibition public discussion entire topic consolidated edison public serv sign code paradigmatic example discrimination singles specific subject matter differential treatment even target viewpoints within subject matter ninth circuit also erred concluding sign code content based made distinctions code categories restrictions political ideological temporary event signs apply equally matter sponsors even sign categories speaker based automatically render law content neutral rather laws favoring speakers others demand strict scrutiny legislature speaker preference reflects content preference turner broadcasting system fcc analysis applies distinctions pp sign code restrictions survive strict scrutiny town demonstrated code differentiation temporary directional signs types signs furthers compelling governmental interest narrowly tailored end see arizona free enterprise club freedom club pac bennett assuming town compelling interest preserving aesthetic appeal traffic safety code distinctions highly underinclusive town claim placing strict limits temporary directional signs necessary beautify town types signs create problem see discovery network supra shown temporary directional signs pose greater threat public safety ideological political signs pp decision prevent governments enacting effective sign laws town ample options available resolve problems safety aesthetics including regulating size building materials lighting moving parts portability town may able forbid postings public property long evenhanded manner see members city council los angeles taxpayers vincent ordinance narrowly tailored challenges protecting safety pedestrians drivers passengers warning signs marking hazards private property signs directing traffic might also survive strict scrutiny pp reversed remanded thomas delivered opinion roberts scalia kennedy alito sotomayor joined alito filed concurring opinion kennedy sotomayor joined breyer filed opinion concurring judgment kagan filed opinion concurring judgment ginsburg breyer joined opinion notice opinion subject formal revision publication preliminary print reports readers requested notify reporter decisions washington typographical formal errors order corrections may made preliminary print goes press clyde reed et petitioners town gilbert arizona et al writ certiorari appeals ninth circuit june justice thomas delivered opinion town gilbert arizona town adopted comprehensive code governing manner people may display outdoor signs gilbert land development code sign code code ch sign code identifies various categories signs based type information convey subjects category different restrictions one categories temporary directional signs relating qualifying event loosely defined signs directing public meeting nonprofit group code imposes stringent restrictions signs signs conveying messages hold provisions regulations speech survive strict scrutiny sign code prohibits display outdoor signs anywhere within town without permit exempts categories signs requirement exemptions include everything bazaar signs flying banners three categories exempt signs particularly relevant first ideological sign category includes sign communicating message ideas noncommercial purposes construction sign directional sign temporary directional sign relating qualifying event political sign garage sale sign sign owned required governmental agency sign code glossary general terms glossary emphasis deleted three categories discussed code treats ideological signs favorably allowing square feet area placed zoning districts without time limits second category political sign includes temporary sign designed influence outcome election called public body glossary code treats signs less favorably ideological signs code allows placement political signs square feet residential property square feet nonresidential property undeveloped municipal property signs may displayed days primary election days following general election ibid third category temporary directional signs relating qualifying event includes temporary sign intended direct pedestrians motorists passersby event glossary emphasis deleted qualifying event defined assembly gathering activity meeting sponsored arranged promoted religious charitable community service educational similar organization ibid code treats temporary directional signs even less favorably political temporary directional signs may larger six square feet may placed private property public four signs may placed single property time ibid may displayed hours qualifying event hour afterward ibid petitioners good news community church church pastor clyde reed wish advertise time location sunday church services church small entity owns building holds services elementary schools locations near town order inform public services held variety different locations church began placing temporary signs around town frequently public abutting street signs typically displayed church name along time location upcoming service church members post signs early day saturday remove around midday sunday display signs requires little money manpower thus proved economical effective way church let community know services held week practice caught attention town sign code compliance manager twice cited church violating code first citation noted church exceeded time limits displaying temporary directional signs second citation referred problem along church failure include date event signs town officials even confiscated one church signs reed retrieve municipal offices reed contacted sign code compliance department attempt reach accommodation efforts proved unsuccessful town code compliance manager informed church leniency code promised punish future violations shortly thereafter petitioners filed complaint district district arizona arguing sign code abridged freedom speech violation first fourteenth amendments district denied petitioners motion preliminary injunction appeals ninth circuit affirmed holding sign code provision regulating temporary directional signs regulate speech basis content reasoned even though enforcement officer read sign determine provisions sign code applied cursory necessary officer classify temporary directional sign akin officer synthesizing expressive content sign remanded district determine first instance whether sign code distinctions among temporary directional signs political signs ideological signs nevertheless constituted regulation speech remand district granted summary judgment favor town appeals affirmed holding code sign categories content neutral concluded distinctions temporary directional signs ideological signs political signs based objective factors relevant gilbert creation specific exemption permit requirement otherwise consider substance sign relying decision hill colorado appeals concluded sign code content neutral explained gilbert adopt regulation speech disagreed message conveyed interests regulat ing temporary signs unrelated content sign ibid accordingly believed code term defined light determination applied lower level scrutiny sign code concluded law violate first amendment granted certiorari reverse ii first amendment applicable fourteenth amendment prohibits enactment laws abridging freedom speech amdt clause government including municipal government vested state authority power restrict expression message ideas subject matter content police dept chicago mosley laws target speech based communicative content presumptively unconstitutional may justified government proves narrowly tailored serve compelling state interests paul simon schuster members state crime victims government regulation speech content based law applies particular speech topic discussed idea message expressed sorrell ims health slip carey brown mosley supra commonsense meaning phrase content based requires consider whether regulation speech face draws distinctions based message speaker conveys sorrell supra slip facial distinctions based message obvious defining regulated speech particular subject matter others subtle defining regulated speech function purpose distinctions drawn based message speaker conveys therefore subject strict scrutiny precedents also recognized separate additional category laws though facially content neutral considered regulations speech laws without reference content regulated speech adopted government disagreement message speech conveys ward rock racism laws like content based face must also satisfy strict scrutiny town sign code content based face defines temporary directional signs basis whether sign conveys message directing public church qualifying event glossary defines political signs basis whether sign message designed influence outcome election defines ideological signs basis whether sign communicat es message ideas fit within code categories subjects categories different restrictions restrictions sign code apply given sign thus depend entirely communicative content sign sign informs reader time place book club discuss john locke two treatises government sign treated differently sign expressing view one vote one locke followers upcoming election signs treated differently sign expressing ideological view rooted locke theory government point church signs inviting people attend worship services treated differently signs conveying types ideas face sign code regulation speech thus need consider government justifications purposes enacting code determine whether subject strict scrutiny reaching contrary conclusion appeals offered several theories explain town sign code deemed content neutral none persuasive appeals first determined sign code content neutral town adopt regulation speech based disagree ment message conveyed justifications regulating temporary directional signs unrelated content sign brief similarly contends sign regulation content neutral even expressly draws distinctions based sign communicative content distinctions without reference content regulated speech brief amicus curiae quoting ward supra emphasis deleted analysis skips crucial first step analysis determining whether law content neutral face law content based face subject strict scrutiny regardless government benign motive justification lack animus toward ideas contained regulated speech cincinnati discovery network thus made clear llicit legislative intent sine qua non violation first amendment party opposing government need adduce evidence improper censorial motive simon schuster supra although purpose may sufficient certain circumstances show regulation content based necessary turner broadcasting system fcc words innocuous justification transform facially law one content neutral repeatedly considered whether law content neutral face turning law justification purpose see sorrell supra slip statute content based face also evidence impermissible legislative motive eichman although statute contains explicit limitation scope prohibited conduct nevertheless clear government asserted interest related suppression free expression internal quotation marks omitted members city council los angeles taxpayers vincent text ordinance neutral even hint bias censorship city enactment enforcement ordinance clark community creative requiring facially ban camping must justified without reference content regulated speech noting statute face deals conduct connection speech examining whether governmental interest unrelated suppression free expression strict scrutiny applies either law content based face purpose justification law content based must evaluate question concludes law content neutral thus subject lower level scrutiny appeals misunderstand decision ward suggesting government purpose relevant even law content based face incorrect ward nothing say facially restrictions involved facially ban use music venue sound amplification systems provided city context looked governmental motive including whether government regulated speech disagreement message whether regulation without reference content speech ward framework applies statute content neutral hill kennedy dissenting rules thus operate protect speech restrict first amendment requires less innocent motives eliminate danger censorship presented facially statute future government officials may one day wield statutes suppress disfavored speech first amendment expressly targets operation laws abridg ement speech rather merely motives enacted amdt vice legislation always used invidious purposes lends use purposes hill supra scalia dissenting instance naacp button encountered state attempt use statute prohibiting attorneys outlaw speech national association advancement colored people although button predated recent formulations strict scrutiny rightly rejected state claim interest regulation professional conduct rendered statute consistent first amendment observing answer say purpose regulations merely insure high professional standards curtail free expression likewise one easily imagine sign code compliance manager disliked church substantive teachings deploying sign code make difficult church inform public location services accordingly repeatedly rejected argument treatment suspect first amendment legislature intends suppress certain ideas discovery network today appeals next reasoned sign code content neutral mention idea viewpoint let alone single one differential treatment reasoned purpose code provisions makes difference candidate supported sponsors event ideological perspective asserted town seizes reasoning insisting content based term art applied flexibly goal protecting viewpoints ideas government censorship favoritism brief respondents town view sign regulation censor favor particular viewpoints ideas content based ibid sign code allegedly passes test treatment temporary directional signs raise concerns government endorsing suppressing viewpoints provisions political signs ideological signs neutral particular ideas viewpoints within categories analysis conflates two distinct related limitations first amendment places government regulation speech government discrimination among viewpoints regulation speech based specific motivating ideology opinion perspective speaker blatant egregious form content discrimination rosenberger rector visitors univ well established first amendment hostility regulation extends restrictions particular viewpoints also prohibition public discussion entire topic consolidated edison public serv thus speech regulation targeted specific subject matter content based even discriminate among viewpoints within subject matter ibid example law banning use sound trucks political speech political speech regulation even imposed limits political viewpoints expressed see discovery network supra town sign code likewise singles specific subject matter differential treatment even target viewpoints within subject matter ideological messages given favorable treatment messages concerning political candidate given favorable treatment messages announcing assembly individuals paradigmatic example discrimination finally appeals characterized sign code distinctions turning elements speaking sign whether event occurring analysis mistaken factual legal grounds start sign code distinctions speaker based restrictions political ideological temporary event signs apply equally matter sponsors local business example sought put signs advertising church meetings signs subject limitations signs placed church reed decided display signs support particular candidate made signs far larger kept far longer signs inviting people attend church services code distinctions truly speaker based types signs receive treatment case fact distinction speaker based appeals seemed believe automatically render distinction content neutral peech restrictions based identity speaker often simply means control content citizens federal election insisted laws favoring speakers others demand strict scrutiny legislature speaker preference reflects content preference turner thus law limiting content newspapers newspapers evade strict scrutiny simply characterized speaker based likewise law restricted political speech corporations become content neutral singled corporations class speakers see citizens supra characterizing distinction speaker based beginning end inquiry sign code distinctions hinge whether event occurring code permit citizens post signs topic whatsoever within set period leading election example instead come election time requires town officials determine whether sign designed influence outcome election thus political merely communicating message ideas noncommercial purposes thus ideological glossary obvious inquiry evade strict scrutiny review simply event election involved laws fact distinction event based render content neutral appeals cited precedent supporting novel theory exception requirement laws explained speech regulation content based law applies particular speech topic discussed idea message expressed supra regulation targets sign conveys idea specific event less content based regulation targets sign conveys idea code singles signs bearing particular message time location specific event type ordinance may seem like perfectly rational way regulate signs clear firm rule governing content neutrality essential means protecting freedom speech even laws might seem entirely reasonable sometimes struck nature city ladue gilleo concurring iii town sign code imposes restrictions speech provisions stand survive strict scrutiny requires government prove restriction furthers compelling interest narrowly tailored achieve interest arizona free enterprise club freedom club pac bennett slip quoting citizens thus town burden demonstrate code differentiation temporary directional signs types signs political signs ideological signs furthers compelling governmental interest narrowly tailored end see ibid town offered two governmental interests support distinctions sign code draws preserving town aesthetic appeal traffic safety assuming sake argument compelling governmental interests code distinctions fail hopelessly underinclusive starting preservation aesthetics temporary directional signs greater eyesore discovery network ideological political ones yet code allows unlimited proliferation larger ideological signs strictly limiting number size duration smaller directional ones town claim placing strict limits temporary directional signs necessary beautify town time allowing unlimited numbers types signs create problem town similarly shown limiting temporary directional signs necessary eliminate threats traffic safety limiting types signs town offered reason believe directional signs pose greater threat safety ideological political signs anything sharply worded ideological sign seems likely distract driver sign directing public nearby church meeting light underinclusiveness town met burden prove sign code narrowly tailored compelling government interest regarded protecting interest highest order thus justifying restriction truthful speech leaves appreciable damage supposedly vital interest unprohibited republican party white sign code fails strict scrutiny iv decision today prevent governments enacting effective sign laws town asserts rule render virtually distinctions sign laws subject strict scrutiny brief respondents case distinctions subject strict scrutiny ones laws content neutral instead subject lesser scrutiny see clark town ample options available resolve problems safety aesthetics example current code regulates many aspects signs nothing sign message size building materials lighting moving parts portability see public property town may go long way toward entirely forbidding posting signs long evenhanded manner see taxpayers vincent upholding ban posting signs public property indeed lower courts long held similar sign laws receive strict scrutiny evidence towns jurisdictions suffered catastrophic effects see solantic llc neptune beach sign categories similar town gilbert content based subject strict scrutiny matthews needham law banning political signs commercial signs content based subject strict scrutiny acknowledge city might reasonably view general regulation signs necessary signs take space may obstruct views distract motorists displace alternative uses land pose problems legitimately call regulation city ladue time presence certain signs may essential vehicles pedestrians guide traffic identify hazards ensure safety sign ordinance narrowly tailored challenges protecting safety pedestrians drivers passengers warning signs marking hazards private property signs directing traffic street numbers associated private houses well might survive strict scrutiny signs issue case including political ideological signs signs events far removed purposes discussed facially content based neither justified traditional safety concerns narrowly tailored reverse judgment appeals remand case proceedings consistent opinion ordered alito concurring clyde reed et petitioners town gilbert arizona et al writ certiorari appeals ninth circuit june justice alito justice kennedy justice sotomayor join concurring join opinion add words explanation holds termed laws must satisfy strict scrutiny laws merit protection present albeit sometimes subtler form dangers laws regulate speech based viewpoint limiting speech based topic subject favors want disturb status quo regulations may interfere democratic search truth see consolidated edison public serv shows regulations issue case replete distinctions result must satisfy strict scrutiny mean however municipalities powerless enact enforce reasonable sign regulations attempt provide anything like comprehensive list rules content based rules regulating size signs rules may distinguish among signs based criteria including relevant criteria listed rules regulating locations signs may placed rules may distinguish signs attached buildings rules distinguishing lighted unlighted signs rules distinguishing signs fixed messages electronic signs messages change rules distinguish placement signs private public property rules distinguishing placement signs commercial residential property rules distinguishing signs rules restricting total number signs allowed per mile roadway rules imposing time restrictions signs advertising event rules nature discriminate based topic subject akin rules restricting times within oral speech music allowed addition regulating signs put private actors government entities may also erect signs consistent principles allow governmental speech see pleasant grove city summum may put manner signs promote safety well directional signs signs pointing historic sites scenic spots properly understood today decision prevent cities regulating signs way fully protects public safety serves legitimate esthetic objectives breyer concurring judgment clyde reed et petitioners town gilbert arizona et al writ certiorari appeals ninth circuit june justice breyer concurring judgment join justice kagan separate opinion like justice kagan believe categories alone satisfactorily resolve legal problem us first amendment requires greater judicial sensitivity amendment expressive objectives public legitimate need regulation simple recitation categories content discrimination strict scrutiny permit view category content discrimination better considered many contexts including rule thumb rather automatic strict scrutiny trigger leading almost certain legal condemnation use content discrimination trigger strict scrutiny sometimes makes perfect sense cases found content discrimination unconstitutional method suppressing viewpoint rosenberger rector visitors univ see also boos barry plurality opinion applying strict scrutiny line subject matter viewpoint obvious cases found content discrimination reveal rules governing traditional public forum fact neutral way fairly managing forum interest speakers police dept chicago mosley forum opened assembly speaking groups government may prohibit others assembling speaking basis intend say types cases strict often appropriate content discrimination thus served useful purpose content discrimination helping courts identify unconstitutional suppression expression always trigger strict scrutiny say automatic strict scrutiny trigger argue concept use readily concede example content discrimination conceptual tool sometimes reveal weaknesses government rationale rule limits speech example city looks litter prevention rationale prohibition placing newsracks dispensing free advertisements public property exempt newsracks causing similar litter cf cincinnati discovery network also concede whenever government disfavors one kind speech places speech disadvantage potentially interfering free marketplace ideas individual ability express thoughts ideas help individual determine kind society wishes live help shape society help define place within nonetheless latter instances use presence content discrimination automatically trigger strict scrutiny thereby call play strong presumption constitutionality goes far virtually government activities involve speech many involve regulation speech programs almost always require content discrimination hold content discrimination triggers strict scrutiny write recipe judicial management ordinary government regulatory activity consider examples speech regulated government inevitably involve content discrimination strong presumption constitutionality place consider governmental regulation securities requirements content must included registration statement energy conservation requirements content must included labels certain consumer electronics prescription drugs requiring prescription drug label bear symbol rx confidentiality requiring confidentiality certain medical records allowing physician disclose patient hiv patient spouse sexual partner income tax statements requiring taxpayers furnish information foreign gifts received aggregate amount exceeds commercial airplane briefings cfr requiring pilots ensure passenger briefed flight procedures seatbelt fastening signs petting zoos gen bus law ann west cum supp requiring petting zoos post sign every exit recommend ing persons wash hands upon exiting petting zoo majority avoid application strict scrutiny sorts justifiable governmental regulations relying many subcategories exceptions rule said example apply less strict standards commercial speech central hudson gas elec public service great concern many justifiable instances regulation noncommercial worse applied heightened strict scrutiny standard even cases less stringent commercial speech standard appropriate see sorrell ims health breyer dissenting slip also said government speech escapes first amendment strictures see rust sullivan regulated speech typically private speech government speech said hen basis content discrimination consists entirely reason entire class speech issue proscribable significant danger idea viewpoint discrimination exists paul exception accounts instances content discrimination readily justifiable recognize escape problem watering force presumption constitutionality strict scrutiny normally carries view weaken first amendment protection instances strict apply full force better approach generally treat content discrimination strong reason weighing constitutionality rule traditional public forum viewpoint discrimination threatened elsewhere treat rule thumb finding helpful determinative legal tool appropriate case determine strength justification use content discrimination supplement basic analysis tracking first amendment cases asks whether regulation issue works harm first amendment interests disproportionate light relevant regulatory objectives answering question requires examining seriousness harm speech importance countervailing objectives extent law achieve objectives whether less restrictive ways see alvarez breyer concurring judgment slip nixon shrink missouri government pac breyer concurring admittedly approach simplicity mechanical use categories permit government regulate speech numerous instances voters authorized government regulate courts hesitate substitute judicial judgment administrators regulation signage along roadside purposes safety beautification issue traditional public forum find general effort censor particular viewpoint consequently specific regulation issue warrant strict scrutiny nonetheless reasons justice kagan sets forth believe town gilbert regulatory rules violate first amendment consequently concur judgment kagan concurring judgment clyde reed et petitioners town gilbert arizona et al writ certiorari appeals ninth circuit june justice kagan justice ginsburg justice breyer join concurring judgment countless cities towns across america adopted ordinances regulating posting signs exempting certain categories signs based subject matter example municipalities generally prohibit illuminated signs residential neighborhoods lift ban signs identify address home name owner occupant see city truth consequences code ordinances ch art xiii municipalities safety signs blind pedestrian crossing hidden driveway posted without permit even permanent signs require one see code county pt iii elsewhere historic site markers example george washington slept also exempt general regulations see dover code ordinances pt ii app art similarly federal highway beautification act limits signs along interstate highways unless instance direct travelers scenic historical attractions advertise free coffee see given analysis many sign ordinances kind jeopardy see ante acknowledging entirely reasonable sign laws sometimes struck approach internal quotation marks omitted says majority laws single specific subject matter facially content based facially content based automatically subject strict scrutiny ante although majority holds hope sign laws exemptions might survive stringent review ante likelihood struck rare case speech restriction withstands strict scrutiny florida bar slip clear high bar government must show distinction necessary serve compelling state interest narrowly drawn achieve end arkansas writers project ragland majority view courts determine town compelling interest informing passersby george washington slept likewise courts find town way prevent mishaps specially treating signs speed bumps lower speed limits ban hidden driveways consequence unless courts water strict scrutiny something unrecognizable communities find unenviable bind either repeal exemptions allow helpful signs streets sidewalks else lift sign restrictions altogether resign resulting clutter although majority insists applying strict scrutiny ordinances essential protecting first amendment freedoms ante find challenging understand decisions articulate two important related reasons subjecting speech regulations exacting standard review first preserve uninhibited marketplace ideas truth ultimately prevail mccullen coakley slip internal quotation marks omitted second ensure government regulated speech based hostility favoritism towards underlying message expressed paul yet exemptions included many sign ordinances implicate concerns allowing residents say install light bulb name address signs others distort marketplace ideas different treatment give rise inference impermissible government motive apply strict scrutiny facially regulations speech keeping rationales described realistic possibility official suppression ideas afoot davenport washington ed quoting always case regulation facially differentiates basis viewpoint see rosenberger rector visitors univ also case except limited public forums law restricts discussion entire topic public debate consolidated edison public serv invalidating limitation speech nuclear power stated marketplace ideas remain free open governments must allowed choose issues worth discussing debating quoting police dept chicago mosley recognized restrictions even though face may suggest attempt give one side debatable public question advantage expressing views people first nat bank boston bellotti accord ante alito concurring limiting speech one topic favors want disturb status quo regulation words may intent effect favoring ideas others realistically possible restriction raises specter government may effectively drive certain ideas viewpoints marketplace insist law pass demanding constitutional test quoting simon schuster members state crime victims realistically possible may well relax guard entirely reasonable laws imperiled strict scrutiny survive ante point means new concern regulation arises fear government skew public debate ideas risk inconsequential strict scrutiny unwarranted davenport see approving certain distinctions significant danger idea viewpoint discrimination intended work course category regulation triggering strict scrutiny must sweep broadly actual harm category exists create buffer zone guaranteeing government favor disfavor certain viewpoints buffer zone need extend forever administer doctrine dose common sense leave standing laws way implicate intended function indeed done cases far less rigid majority admits applying strict scrutiny facially laws including cases like one see davenport noting identified numerous situations risk attached laws attenuated members city council los angeles taxpayers vincent declined apply strict scrutiny municipal ordinance exempted address numbers markers commemorating historical cultural artistic event generally applicable limit sidewalk signs listing exemptions see upholding ordinance intermediate scrutiny explained law enactment enforcement revealed even hint bias censorship see also renton playtime theatres applying intermediate scrutiny zoning law facially distinguished among movie theaters based content designed prevent crime protect city retail trade maintain property values suppress expression unpopular views another decision involving similar law provides alternative model city ladue gilleo assumed arguendo sign ordinance exceptions address signs safety signs signs residential areas trigger strict scrutiny see listing exemptions noting assumption need decide question law breadth made unconstitutional standard majority easily taken ladue tack town gilbert defense sign ordinance notably law distinctions directional signs others pass strict scrutiny intermediate scrutiny even laugh test see ante discussing distinctions town example provides reason prohibiting four directional signs property placing limits number types signs see gilbert land development code ch similarly town offers coherent justification restricting size directional signs square feet allowing signs reach square feet see best town come oral argument directional signs need smaller need guide travelers along route tr oral arg exactly smaller sign better helps travelers get going left mystery absence sensible basis distinctions dooms town ordinance even intermediate scrutiny typically applies time place manner speech regulations accordingly need decide case whether strict scrutiny applies every sign ordinance every town across country containing exemption suspect others regret majority insistence today answering question affirmative years go courts discover thousands towns ordinances many entirely reasonable ante challenges mount courts invalidate one may soon find veritable board sign review courts strike democratically enacted local laws even though one certainly majority ever explained vindication first amendment values requires result see reason easy case calls us cast constitutional pall reasonable regulations quite unlike law us concur judgment footnotes town sign code available online http departments development service planning development land visited june available clerk case file temporary sign sign permanently attached ground wall building designed intended permanent display glossary code defines strip publicly owned land occupied planned street utilities landscaping sidewalks trails similar facilities sign code amended twice pendency case litigation began code defined signs issue religious assembly temporary direction signs app code entirely prohibited placement signs public forbade posting location two hours religious assembly one hour afterward town redefined category temporary directional signs related qualifying event expanded time limit hours hour qualifying event ibid town amended code authorize placement temporary directional signs public footnotes course restrictions speech necessarily consistent first amendment time place manner restrictions must narrowly tailored serve government legitimate interests ward rock racism need meet high standard imposed restrictions footnotes even trying commendably limit today decision justice alito concurrence highlights effects according justice alito majority subject strict scrutiny regulations signs advertising event ante alito concurring course majority view law exception signs singles specific subject matter differential treatment defin es regulated speech particular subject matter ante majority opinion indeed precise reason majority applies strict scrutiny code singles signs bearing particular message time location specific event ante