--- title: Austin v. Reagan Could Change Sign Regulations description: The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) will hear the appeal of a case (City of Austin v. Reagan National Advertising of Texas) that could have significant ramifications for every local sign ordinance and state Department of Transportation regulation. image: https://newsroom.signs.org/hubfs/Thomas%20photo%20-%20350.jpg --- [![Vital Signs: For planners and local officials who draft, debate and enforce sign ordinances](https://newsroom.signs.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Vital%20Signs/020117_VitalSignsHeaderBlog_2017V2O-01.jpg?width=1080&name=020117_VitalSignsHeaderBlog_2017V2O-01.jpg "Vital Signs: For planners and local officials who draft, debate and enforce sign ordinances")](https://newsroom.signs.org/vitalsigns/) *Posted on* June 29, 2021 # Austin v. Reagan Could Change Sign Regulations ![Thomas photo - 350](https://newsroom.signs.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Thomas%20photo%20-%20350.jpg?width=527&name=Thomas%20photo%20-%20350.jpg) The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) has agreed to hear the appeal of a case that promises to have significant implications for sign regulations across the country. In *City of Austin v. Reagan National Advertising of Texas*, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals foundthat Austin's sign ordinance was in violation of the *Reed v. Town of Gilbert* decision. The city's sign ordinance treated on-premise digital signs differently than off-premise digital signs (billboards) by allowing the former and prohibiting the latter. The court found the distinction to be content-based and therefore unconstitutional. When the city of Austin appealed the 5th Circuit's decision to SCOTUS, the International Sign Association (ISA) joined Scenic Texas in filing [a joint amicus brief](https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/20/20-1029/170623/20210301235112622_2021-03-01%20brief%20-%20final.pdf) urging the court to take up and overturn the case. Ever since the *Reed* ruling in 2015, ISA has argued that the traditional regulatory distinction between on-premise signs and billboards is *location*-based, not content-based, and that communities should be able to regulate these kinds of signs differently if they so choose. A ruling overturning *Austin v. Reagan* would leave intact these important distinctions between on-premise signs and billboards. However, if the Court upholds the 5th Circuit’s decision, every local sign ordinance and state Department of Transportation regulation that differentiates between these two kinds of signs will have to be brought into compliance. ISA and the Sign Research Foundation (SRF) have helped educate thousands of planners and other local officials through seminars and webinars on *Reed*-related issues, including at various state and regional APA conferences, and at the 2016, 2017 and 2019 APA National Planning Conferences. ISA will continue monitoring these legal developments and analyzing what they mean for the regulation of signs in communities across the nation. Contact ISAs James Carpentier, AICP, at (480-773-3756) or [james.carpentier@signs.org](https://newsroom.signs.org/vitalsigns/james.carpentier@signs.org) with any questions.   Topics: [Sign Regulations](https://newsroom.signs.org/vitalsigns/topic/sign-regulations) [![ISA Planning for Sign Code SuccessTM](https://newsroom.signs.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Vital%20Signs/ISA_PSCS_color.jpg?width=320&name=ISA_PSCS_color.jpg "ISA Planning for Sign Code SuccessTM")](https://pages.signs.org/are-you-planning-for-sign-code-success) [![David Hickey, VP Advocacy](https://newsroom.signs.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Vital%20Signs/David_Circle_250.png?width=125&name=David_Circle_250.png "David Hickey, VP Advocacy")](http://mailto:%20david.hickey@signs.org) David Hickey VP, Advocacy [david.hickey@signs.org](mailto:david.hickey@signs.org) [![James Carpentier, AICP](https://newsroom.signs.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Vital%20Signs/James_Circle_250.png?width=125&name=James_Circle_250.png "James Carpentier, AICP")](http://mailto:james.carpentier@signs.org) James Carpentier, AICP Director, State & Local Goverment [james.carpentier@signs.org](mailto:james.carpentier@signs.org) [![Kenny Peskin](https://newsroom.signs.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Vital%20Signs/Kenny_Circle_250.png?width=125&name=Kenny_Circle_250.png "Kenny Peskin")](http://mailto:kenny.peskin@signs.org) Kenny Peskin Director, Industry Programs [mailto:kenny.peskin@signs.org](mailto:kenny.peskin@signs.org)kenny.peskin@signs.org | [@signcodeguy](https://twitter.com/signcodeguy?lang=en)   [![Sign Code Assistance Button](https://newsroom.signs.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Vital%20Signs/030317_AssistanceButtonTransparent.png?width=520&name=030317_AssistanceButtonTransparent.png "Sign Code Assistance Button")](https://newsroom.signs.org/signcodeassistance) ## Sign Code Assistance, Education and Training ### Is your community considering revising its sign code? Or are you looking for education and training for an upcoming APA meeting? Contact [**signhelp@signs.org**](mailto:signhelp@signs.org) to receive expert and *complimentary* sign code assistance: - Research on sign-related issues - Sign code education and training  - Planning, legal and technical sign code resources and advice The [International Sign Association (ISA)](http://www.signs.org) has helped hundreds of cities across the country develop modern, effective and enforceable sign codes. ### Get the latest updates delivered to your inbox In partnership with:  ![](https://newsroom.signs.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Vital%20Signs/srf_logo.jpg?width=132&height=60&name=srf_logo.jpg "srf_logo.jpg") © 2017 ISA. All Rights Reserved. [Terms of Use](http://www.signs.org/TermsofUse.aspx) | [Privacy Policy](https://www.signs.org/privacy-policy) | [Site Map](http://www.signs.org/ISASiteMap.aspx)