Sparta, Tennessee: Board of Alderman imposes onerous and antiquated restrictions on handbilling 

The City of Sparta bans handbills that are “offensive to public morals or decency, or which contains blasphemous, obscene, libelous or scurrilous language,” bans anonymous handbilling, and requires a permit for all handbilling “for hire.” On March 3, 2026, FIRE wrote the Board of Alderman, explaining that its content-based restrictions are vague, overbroad, and viewpoint discriminatory. FIRE also explained that prohibiting anonymous handbilling and requiring permits for handbilling “for hire” violate the First Amendment.