South Carolina Sign Case Clarifies Time Limit Rules

摘要

A Fourth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling, if adopted by other courts, has the potential to affect sign ordi nances elsewhere. In July, the court found that the North Charleston, South Carolina, sign ordinance did not amount to an unconstitutional prior restraint on speech just because it failed to specify a set time limit on action on a permit application. The court's reasoning in Covenant Media of South Carolina, LLC v. City of North Charleston could offer relief to local governments being sued over regulatory schemes that lack clear rules on when a permit decision must be made.