Supreme Court of the United States

U.S. Supreme Court to weigh legality of Texas ban on digital billboards

Austin American-Statesman

Billboards are lined up along Airport Boulevard. A federal appeals court ruled in August that Austin's ban on off-premise digital billboards violates the First Amendment freedom of speech. The city will ask the U.S. Supreme Court to review that decision.

AUSTIN, Texas – The U.S. Supreme Court announced Monday that it will weigh the constitutionality of an Austin ordinance that bans digital advertising on billboards, answering a question that could affect most cities in the state and many others nationwide.

Austin allows businesses to erect digital signs on their properties but, like an estimated 90% of cities in Texas, bans such advertising elsewhere, arguing that the policy protects aesthetics and limits driver distractions.