Riverton city officials will have a bit more time to tweak an ordinance restricting political lawn signs.
The city has reached an agreement with attorneys representing resident J. Johnson, who had sued the city claiming the current sign ordinance violates First Amendment free-speech rights. The city will have until May 4 to repeal or amend the ordinance.
The current ordinance requires political signs to be removed within seven days after an election, and states that candidates can only display signs after declaring candidacy, said Brian Barnard, representing Johnson. So "Sarah Palin 2016" supporters would be in violation of the ordinance and that violates their freedom of speech, he said.
"I should be able to say I support the Tea Party year-round if I choose to," Barnard said.
The city has been working on the issue and is currently not enforcing the sign ordinance, said city spokesman Jeff Hawker. Officials intend to have a resolution before the May deadline.
"We have every intention of being in compliance with state and federal laws" regarding signs, Hawker said. "We'll make any changes necessary to comply with that."
Barnard previously has led successful crusades against restrictive sign ordinances in several cities, including Draper, Mapleton and Sandy.
Twitter: @Katie_Drake
