 Reed v. Town of Gilbert , 576 U.S. _ _ _ ( 2015 ) was a case in which the United States Supreme Court clarified when municipalities may impose content @-@ based restrictions on signage . The case also clarified the level of constitutional scrutiny that should be applied to content @-@ based restrictions on speech . In 2005 , Gilbert , Arizona adopted a municipal sign ordinance that regulated the manner in which signs could be displayed in public areas . The ordinance imposed stricter limitations on signs advertising religious services than signs that displayed " political " or " ideological " messages . When the town 's Sign Code compliance manager cited a local church for violating the ordinance , the church filed a lawsuit in which they argued the town 's sign regulations violated its First Amendment right to the freedom of speech . 
