Near the end of its term in June, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision in Reed v. Town of Gilbert1 that is likely to require a great deal of attention by local governments throughout New York.

In Reed, the court reversed a decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and ruled that an Arizona town's comprehensive code (the “sign code”) governing the manner in which people could display outdoor signs was unconstitutional.

At least one New York court, in a case filed before the court's decision, already has cited Reed to strike down a town's sign ordinance.2 It seems clear, therefore, that Reed should be used as a guide by any municipal official in New York intent on developing a sign ordinance as well as by local authorities here who will need to review and possibly modify their existing laws.