FivesigncodE common defects If you have been turned down for a great new sign site, you may be curious if the city or county code used to deny you is valid. This analysis varies greatly from state to state, but here are a few potential deficiencies that your lawyer may find in the local sign code. Although numerous aspects of sign codes have previously been held by courts to be unconstitutional or otherwise invalid, you may not be allowed to challenge all of the illegal provisions in a sign code and there are several technical hurdles that the government can raise. If you can overcome the hurdles, here are five defects that could render a code invalid: By E. Adam Webb, Esq. Webb, Klase & Lemond, LLC Purpose Clause Sign ordinances must contain a "statement of purpose" describing the reasons why the jurisdiction has decided to regulate signage. Traffic safety and aesthetics are commonly referenced as the goals of many codes. If the ordinance lacks such a statement of purpose, it is invalid because a court cannot even begin contributors from our 17 | out of home magazine | september | october 2014