Alexandria Allows ‘For Sale' Signs on Cars – For Now

Alexandria has stopped citing drivers who put "for sale'' signs on their cars and park them on public streets.

The move comes a week after resident Scott McLean filed a federal lawsuit against the city, saying the law violates free speech rights.

McLean, 35, was cited in 2012 for having two "for sale'' signs on his car, which was parked on a street near his townhouse. McLean paid the fine and removed the signs, according to his lawsuit, filed Oct. 23 in U.S. District Court in Alexandria.

Now McLean said he wants to sell his truck and thinks he should be able to put a "for sale'' sign on it. His lawsuit seeks to force Alexandria to stop enforcing its no-sign ordinance.

In the lawsuit, McLean points out that it's not illegal to display political signs and other speech on cars in Alexandria, just "for sale'' signs.

"The city's speech ordinance is a content-based speech restriction that deprives McLean of his First Amendment right to communicate a truthful message to the public about a lawful item for sale,'' according to the lawsuit.

On Tuesday, Alexandria said it was suspending its enforcement of the ordinance and reviewing whether it was still appropriate.

"This review, which will take place over several months, will determine if and how comparable jurisdictions regulate this issue, receive guidance on best practices from professional and government associations, and obtain public input through community outreach,'' the city said in a statement.

The process will end with a staff report, the city said, that may recommend the city council keep the decades-old ordinance, amend it or repeal it altogether.

If a repeal or an amendment is appropriate, the city said a formal public hearing will be held and the city council will take a vote. If no change results, the city said it will give residents a 30-day notice that enforcement of the ordinance will resume.