City reaches settlement on collection bin ban

ST. JOHNS (AP) — A mid-Michigan city has reached a settlement regarding its ban on charity collection bins and has replaced the restriction with a permit system.

The Lansing State Journal reports the city commission in St. Johns repealed the ordinance that set the ban and passed a new ordinance that sets regulations for placing donation boxes.

The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals earlier this year upheld a federal judge’s 2014 decision to issue a temporary restraining order against the city.

Elkridge, Maryland-based Planet Aid had sued, saying that the ban on collection bins for used clothing and other items violated its First Amendment right to free speech.

St. Johns passed the ban last year. Planet Aid had bins in St. Johns that were removed as nuisances.