By Julia Morriss
Advertising is essential to business success. Signs signal new products and attract new customers. They are staples of most store fronts. But Williams, AZ is trying to prevent businesses from effectively advertising their products by limiting sign space. The city’s sign code previously allowed signs to take up as much as 50% of window space, but the city council just approved changes that limit the signs to 25% of window space.
For small businesses without a lot of window space, 25% is not a lot of room. Smaller signs are less likely to be noticed from the street and are less likely to grab customers’ attention. The council justifies the regulation in the name of public safety, saying that if the signs cover too much space, police cannot see into the store. But several business owners object to this, saying they have alarm systems in place to cover security and they object to the city regulating their property.
Business owner Sandy Jensen said she feels her freedom to use her own building as she pleases is being taken away.
Read More: Dallas Sign Ban Hurts Small Businesses, Violates First Amendment Rights
Sign code regulations have real and negative effects on businesses. The Institute for Justice’s client Charlie Patel faced a similar challenge in Dallas, TX where he was not allowed to advertise the services his business offers in the top 85% of his window space and was threatened with up to $2,000 in fines if he failed to comply.
Signs are often the best way for new and small businesses to stay in business. Customers do not notice tiny signs or signs at their feet. Government is supposed to protect all of our rights, including business owners’ rights. Limiting their speech is not just harmful to their businesses; it is a violation of their First Amendment rights.
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