ArchitectureArt, LLC is a mural painting company that painted wall murals on buildings in San Diego, California. In 2011, ArchitectureArt painted two wall murals without any objection from the city, but a third mural painted in honor of Comic-Con was cited by the city after Comic-Con complained. In 2012, two of five murals painted by ArchitectureArt also received citations. In 2013, ArchitectureArt received permits for three murals, but those permits were later rescinded. In late 2013, ArchitectureArt filed suit against the city for violations of the Free Speech Clause, the Equal Protection Clause, the Due Process Clause, and intentional interference with business advantage. The city moved to dismiss the case on the grounds that the claims were barred by the California Government Code’s 90-day limitations period for challenging city zoning decisions and the city’s own limitations period for a writ of mandate. In denying the motion to dismiss, the court relied on well-established case law that claims brought under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 borrow the forum state’s limitations period for personal injury claims—which in California is two years—and furthermore, that a facial violation of the First Amendment constitutes a continuing harm until the statute or code is repealed or invalidated.
ArchitectureArt, LLC v. City of San Diego, No. 15-CV-1592-BAS-NLS, Slip Op., 2016 WL 1077124 (S.D. Cal. Mar. 18, 2016).