Mansfield Drops Sign Restrictions

The Mansfield Planning and Zoning Commission has repealed regulations restricting the subject matter, number, size and duration of political yard signs. The vote was held June 21.

The action followed a warning by the American Civil Liberties Union, which sent a letter to town officials citing a U.S. Supreme Court decision which said that the display of signs on the walls, windows or lawns of a house is protected by the First Amendment, and is a key component of the right to “individual liberty in the home.”

“Political signs are one of the few ways in which most Americans can freely and economically express their views on issues that are important to them,” said Cynara Stites, president of the ACLU-CT’s Northeast Chapter. “We are thankful that the Planning and Zoning Commission has restored the voices of Mansfield residents by adopting these amendments.”

The former regulations allowed signs advocating the election or defeat of candidates for political office, but prohibited signs advocating political positions in more general terms. Signs like “Health Care for All” or “Abortion is Murder,” or signs calling for impeachment of an officeholder, were not permitted. The ACLU argued that the regulations discriminated on the basis of subject matter.

Display of permitted signs was not allowed until 30 days before an election, and their removal was required within five days after the election.

“The free exchange of ideas is an essential part of our democracy,” said Andrew Schneider, executive director of the ACLU-CT. “Mansfield’s decision to repeal these onerous restrictions will now allow its residents to engage fully in the [Constitutionally protected practice of free expression] American tradition of free expression.”

"The Mansfield PZC went further than just rescinding the regulations that unduly limited political speech on private property," said Stites. "It also broadened options by allowing residents to post political signs on the rights-of-way of town roads with the permission of the abutting private property owners."

Martin Margulies of Sandy Hook was the cooperating attorney who advised the ACLU-CT on this matter.