City of Littleton, Colorado v. Z.J. Gifts D-4, L.L.C.
United States Supreme Court
514 U.S. 774 (2004)
Littleton's adult-business ordinance required licenses for adult bookstores and similar businesses, listed specific grounds for denial, and imposed time limits on the city's licensing decisions, with appeal available to state district court under ordinary Colorado civil procedure rules. Z.J. Gifts D-4 (plaintiff) opened an adult bookstore without applying for the required license and instead sued, claiming the ordinance was facially unconstitutional because it lacked express procedural safeguards assuring prompt judicial review. The district court rejected the challenge, but the court of appeals reversed.
Whether the licensing ordinance met the First Amendment's requirement that such a licensing scheme assure prompt judicial review of an administrative decision denying a license.