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NewsYourobserverJune 23, 2026Sarasota County

Longboat Key May Update Sign Rules to Restrict 'Feather Flags'

Longboat Key officials are considering an amendment to the town's sign code to reclassify 'feather flags' as banners rather than flags. This change would allow the town to regulate these displays, which are currently protected under existing flag definitions.

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Why It Matters

Local businesses and property owners may lose the ability to display feather-style banners if the town updates its code to exclude them from the definition of a 'flag'.

Key Facts

  • Current Longboat Key code classifies 'feather flags' as flags, allowing one per premises if not in the right-of-way.
  • Town staff plans to propose an amendment to redefine 'flag' to exclude feather-style banners.
  • The current definition of 'flag' is a piece of cloth attached by one edge to a pole or rope.
  • The current definition of 'banner' is a sign on lightweight material secured to allow motion from the atmosphere.
  • The town cannot currently regulate the content of these flags due to the 2015 Supreme Court ruling in Reed v. Town of Gilbert.
  • The proposed amendment aims to align the 'flag' definition with traditional flag-pole flags.

Who's Mentioned

personAllen Parsons“Planning, Zoning and Building Director for Longboat Key”locationLongboat Key“The municipality considering the code amendment”otherReed v. Town of Gilbert“2015 Supreme Court case regarding content-based sign restrictions”personCyndi Seamon“Longboat Key resident who requested the review of sign codes”