Linmark Associates, Inc. v. Township Of Willingbor

431 U.S. 85 (1977)

Facts

The township of Willingboro enacted an ordinance that forbid the posting of For Sale signs or Sold signs on property because of a problem it had with 'panic selling' -- that is, selling by whites who feared that the township was becoming all black and that property values would decline. Linmark Associates (P), a New Jersey corporation, owned a piece of realty in the township. P brought this action against both the township and the building inspector charged with enforcing the ban on 'For Sale' signs, seeking declaratory and injunctive relief. The District Court granted a declaration of unconstitutionality, but a divided Court of Appeals reversed.