Pennsylvania Must Justify Exemptions to Billboard Restriction

A First Amendment suit challenging Pennsylvania’s billboard regulations was sent back to the district court July 15 so the state can justify the law’s exemptions.

And because the law doesn’t limit the time the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation has to issue billboard permits, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit upheld an injunction against it.

Pennsylvania law prohibits “off premise” billboards within 500 feet of highway interchanges, but exempts official signs that give directions or official messages, and on-premise signs that advertise the sale or lease of the property or activities conducted on it.

Adams Outdoor Advertising LP ...