Duluth’s city attorney Stephen Pereira advised the city July 27 of the need to review the city’s current Unified Development Code to ensure no content-based discrimination exists when approving sign applications and permits.
Pereira explained local governments are not allowed to regulate signs based on the ‘content’ of a sign. He referenced a recent Arizona case where the governing authority distinguished their approval process by categories of signs, thus treating them differently.
Based on Pereira’s recommendation, the Duluth City Council approved a 45-day moratorium on sign applications through Sept. 11 to allow for thorough review. Any revisions will be addressed at the city’s next work session in August or approved at the Sept. 14th council meeting.
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