50 Weird Laws in the U.S
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At Far & Wide, we try to be law-abiding citizens. Hopefully, you do, too. That's why you need to know about some of the weirdest laws that you might break completely by accident.
Lots of wacky laws have been written over the years, and they were all written for a reason. Someone, at some point, did something so nutty that people felt compelled to make it illegal.
Admittedly, most of these weird laws are either unlikely to be enforced or unlikely to come up in the first place. But don't worry — unless you're in the habit of taking naps in cheese factories or wrestling bears, you're probably not breaking any of these weird laws in the U.S.
50. Jumping off a Building Is Punishable by Death
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Where this law exists: New York
Year enacted: Unknown, but repealed in 1964
This weird law is both dark, sad and highly misguided. Anyone who goes through with a suicide attempt is in so much distress that their actions are desperate. Suicide is a tragic action that stems from pain, not logic.
Still, New York State once decided it was too disturbing to passersby for someone to jump off a building, and came up with a genius consequence for trying it: Death. Who's the illogical one now? Fortunately, the law was repealed, and the death penalty hasn't been a thing in New York since 2007.
49. Skin-Tight Clothing Is Banned, Yet Toplessness Is Fine
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Where this law exists: New York
Year enacted: Unknown
In New York City? Really? According to one NYC law, women can't wear body hugging clothing, yet it's completely legal for them to go topless in public. Makes sense.
The law is obviously outdated, as is the one against flirting and the one against living with two or more non-relatives. Jaywalking is also illegal, but New Yorkers don't seem to care.
48. Storefronts Can't Hypnotize Passersby
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Where this law exists: Everett, Washington
Year enacted: 2010
An amusing reminder: Something has to have happened at least once to inspire a law about it. So, yes, someone once designed a storefront that put people into a trance. Doing so today could result in a fine of up to $500.
47. You Can't Buy a Mattress on Sunday
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Where this law exists: Washington State
Year enacted: 1909
This law is definitely not enforced, and it was actually repealed in 1966. In Washington State, mattress shopping was once off-limits on Sunday. The law stemmed from old-fashioned values that discouraged certain mattress-related activities on a day traditionally reserved for attending church.
46. Pouring Salt on the Highway Is Illegal in Some Parts
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Where this law exists: Hermosa Beach, California
Year enacted: 2012
Why is this law needed in a coastal town in California? Salt is usually poured to keep ice off the roads. Doing so comes with environmental risks, so it's understandable that some cities might want to avoid it. It can also damage pavement.
Since it hasn't snowed in Hermosa Beach since one time in the 1950s, however, the law seems pretty pointless.
45. You Can't Bother Lizards at City Parks
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Where this law exists: Fresno, California
Year enacted: Unknown
A lizard obviously wrote this law, or at least someone who's particularly concerned for lizard welfare. Lizards, as the cold-blooded reptiles they are, love to lay out in the sun. It's not uncommon to see them basking in local parks in warmer states.
In Fresno, California, too many people were trying to touch or feed them, so the city enforced a lizard-law to keep park-goers away from the lounging lizards.
44. Swearing During a Round of Mini Golf Can Get You a Ticket
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Where this law exists: Long Beach, California
Year enacted: Unknown
In the city of Long Beach, cursing during a round of mini golf is forbidden. Oddly specific, but understandable. Mini golf is supposed to be a family-friendly activity, so try to keep it G-rated. Yes, even if you're losing to a six year old.
43. You Can Only Take an Elephant on a Walk if It’s on a Leash
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Where this law exists: San Francisco, California
Year enacted: 1942
In San Francisco, elephants can't be walked down Market Street without a leash. Were rogue elephants crossing the Golden Gate an issue? Who on Earth caused such chaos to inspire a city-wide leashed elephant regulation?
In reality, this law came from the era during which circuses featuring live animals were legal and popular. Elephants brought through the city would periodically sit down and cause traffic jams, inspiring this odd, now defunct law.
42. You May Not Wear Cowboy Boots Unless You Own Two Cows
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Where this law exists: Blythe, California
Year enacted: Unknown
In Blythe, California, they take cowboy boots. very seriously. Cowboy boots were designed to be worn while wrangling cows, but some people wear them just as a fashion statement-- Except in Blythe. There, you it's illegal to wear them unless you own at least two cows.
= 41. You Can’t Keep Christmas Lights on After February Second
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Where this law exists: San Diego, California
Year enacted: 2012
Christmas lights are beautiful, but they're also a ton of work to put up and take down. Who hasn't left them up after Christmas once or twice?
If you live in San Diego, however, staying on top of holiday tear down is more of a necessity. Those who don't take their lights down by the end of January can be fined up to $250. The law says nothing about Valentine's Day or Easter lights, though.
40. You Can't Have Two Kids Out of Wedlock
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Where this law exists: Mississippi
Year enacted: 2013
Final verdict: This sounds completely unconstitutional, but Mississippi passed a law in 2013 stating that you can only have one illegitimate child. The second one constitutes a misdemeanor punishable by fines or jail time.
There are so many things wrong with this, but Mississippi lawmakers viewed it as an issue of morality.
39. You Can't Come to a Meeting in Costume
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Where this law exists: North Carolina
Year enacted: 1953
Final verdict: Don't worry, your workplace costume party is probably fine. This North Carolina law was actually written to get rid of the persistent Ku Klux Klan activity in the area. Yikes!
This is one weird law we're very thankful for.
38. You Can't Eavesdrop
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Where this law exists: Oklahoma
Year enacted: 1910
Final verdict: Finally, annoying little sisters who listen in will get what's coming to them! In Oklahoma, "every person guilty of secretly loitering about any building, with intent to overhear discourse therein, and to repeat or publish the same to vex, annoy, or injure others, is guilty of a misdemeanor."
Nice.
37. You Can't Be an Astrologer
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Where this law exists: Yamhill, Oregon
Year enacted: 1867
Final verdict: Don't go to Yamhill to get your fortune told. In fact, if you're super into astrology, you might want to stay away from the town altogether.
Any form of the "occult arts" is illegal to practice in Yamhill, including "fortune-telling, astrology, phrenology, palmistry, clairvoyance, mesmerism, spiritualism or any other practice or practices generally recognized to be unsound and unscientific whereby an attempt or pretense is made."
36. You Can't Kill Anything on Sundays ... Beside Raccoons
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Where this law exists: Virginia
Year enacted: 1950
Final verdict: In some states, Sunday is still seen as a day of rest. In Virginia, hunting is forbidden on Sundays, unless you're hunting raccoons. Seems unfair to the little critters, but they do have an annoying habit of going through the trash.
35. You Can't Kill Bigfoot
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Where this law exists: Skamania County, Washington
Year enacted: 1969
Final verdict: Anyone who has been to Washington State, particularly western Washington, knows that they're a little obsessed with Bigfoot. The urban legend became so popular that people were delving into the wilderness in search of the mythical creature. In Skamania County, they were worried enough to pass a law stating that the "slaying of Bigfoot to be a felony and punishable by five years in prison."
The law has since been amended to establish Bigfoot as an endangered species. Whatever you say, Washington.
34. You Can't Ski While Under the Influence
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Where this law exists: Wyoming
Year enacted: 2011
Final verdict: This one is just plain common sense, but in Wyoming, enough people went skiing after a few too many drinks that preventative measures were taken. State law maintains that "no person shall move uphill on any passenger tramway or use any ski slope or trail while such person's ability to do so is impaired by the consumption of alcohol or by the use of any illicit controlled substance or other drug."
Law or not, that's a pretty good rule of thumb to follow.
33. You Can't Steal Crawfish
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Where this law exists: Louisiana
Year enacted: 2011
Final verdict: According to this Louisiana law, if you steal someone's crawfish, it's a big deal. Stealing is always illegal, but stealing crawfish can result in prison time — less than 6 months if you steal less than $500 of crawfish or up to 10 years if you steal over $1,500 worth.
Who stole enough seafood for this to be worth making a weird law about?
32. You Can't Swear in Public
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Where this law exists: Rockville, Maryland
Year enacted: 2017
Final verdict: If you swear every time you stub your toe or drop your keys, don't move to Rockville, Maryland. There, swearing in public is against the law. If you're overheard dropping a four-letter word on the street, it's a misdemeanor worth a $100 fine.
At least the streets are child-friendly?
31. You Can't Eat Fried Chicken With a Fork and Knife
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Where this law exists: Gainesville, Georgia
Year enacted: 1961
Final verdict: It's true. There's a right and a wrong way to eat fried chicken. Obviously, eating it with your hands is the right way. What kind of nut eats fried chicken with a knife and fork?
We're not sure why this law was passed, but it has stuck around and become a town tradition. You're probably not going to get fined if you break it, but you may get a stern reminder.
30. Adults Can't Wear Masks in Public
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Where this law exists: Florida
Year enacted: 2011
Final verdict: No, this isn't an attack on good, clean Halloween fun. You can still dress up for the holiday, theater productions and emergency drills. You just can't terrorize the town by walking around it in a creepy clown costume at midnight on a random Tuesday.
This particular Florida law states that "no person or persons over 16 years of age shall, while wearing any mask, hood, or device whereby any portion of the face is so hidden, concealed, or covered as to conceal the identity of the wearer, enter upon, or be or appear upon any lane, walk, alley, street, road, highway, or other public way in this state."
If it keeps creepy clowns of the road, we're OK with it.
29. You Can't Whisper in Church
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Where this law exists: Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
Year enacted: 1974
Final verdict: We guess Grandma was right about this one. Talking in church is a serious offense, at least in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.
There, even whispering in church is considered a disturbance of worship and can result in an annoying fine. It's unlikely to ever be enforced, however, unless your whispering is really, really annoying.
28. You Can't Set Off Stink Bombs
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Where this law exists: South Carolina (among other states)
Year enacted: 2012
Final verdict: It sounds silly, but those funny, 1990s-style stink bombs you probably bought in a joke shop at some point can actually be harmful. The chemicals in them can be toxic, causing nausea and irritation to the eyes and skin.
Despite the goofy name, no one is allowed to use them in most states anymore aside from police officers.
27. You Can't Walk Down the Street If You're Ugly
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Where this law exists: San Francisco, California
Year enacted: 1867
Final verdict: This weird law is even sadder than it sounds. When it refers to "ugly" people, it's really referring to those with disfiguring disabilities, particularly minorities. The law originated during the 1860s, when San Francisco was at the center of the California Gold Rush. Tons of people flocked to the city in search of gold, but few struck it rich.
Many of them were Civil War veterans or immigrants who had lost limbs or suffered severe burns, and they were left penniless on the street. The law is no longer enforced, of course, but back in the day, people who were deemed too unsightly for the public eye were slapped with a $25 fine — over $400 in today's currency.
26. You Can't Honk Your Horn Next to a Subway Shop After 9 P.M.
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Where this law exists: Arkansas
Year enacted: 1961
Final verdict: And it's illegal to honk in front of any sandwich shop, not just a Subway chain restaurant. According to Arkansas's Code of Ordinances: "No person shall sound the horn on a vehicle at any place where cold drinks or sandwiches are served after 9:00 p.m."
We're not sure why this law was ever necessary. Maybe people were tired of being interrupted by noise while trying to enjoy a sub after a long day? Why would there be that much honking happening at 9 p.m.? Who knows, but it was enough of an annoyance to pass a law about it.
25. You Can’t Drive Blindfolded
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Where this law exists: Alabama
Year enacted: 1980
Final verdict: At first read, this weird law seems like it should come with a hilarious reason. The fact that it needed to be made a law means that someone tried it, doesn’t it? We wish this one had a more interesting backstory, but the full law actually makes sense: “No person shall drive a vehicle when it is loaded or when there are in the front seat such a number of persons as to obstruct the view of the driver to the front or sides of the vehicle or as to interfere with the driver’s control over the driving mechanism of the vehicle.”
To translate, you can’t have so much stuff in your car that it blocks your view. A second clause specifies that passengers can’t position themselves in such a way that it impedes the driver’s peripheral vision.
24. You Can’t Let Your Donkey Sleep in the Bathtub
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Where this law exists: Arizona
Year enacted: 1924
Final verdict: Where else would he sleep? A barn? How inhumane! This wacky law came about almost a century ago when a ranch owner’s donkey had gotten in the habit of sleeping in the bathtub. Unfortunately, when a local dam broke, the house flooded, and the bathtub floated away, donkey and all. Sounds like an amusement park ride for the donkey, but apparently the town didn’t see it that way.
After the donkey was rescued, the town passed one of the weirdest laws in the country, which forbids donkeys from sleeping in bathtubs. It’s fine for them to take a bath in one, though. Just don’t let them take a snooze in the process, or you might be slapped with a fine.
23. You Can’t Keep a Couch on Your Porch
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Where this law exists: Colorado
Year enacted: 2002
Final verdict: Idiotic college students are to blame for this one. What a shocker. Students at the University of Colorado kept getting too lit at frat parties (pun intended). After one too many drunken parties ended in stealing and subsequently burning couches left on porches, the city of Boulder, Colorado took action.
The ban on porch couches is still active in 2021. Why couldn’t they have just forbidden bonfires? Or parties on campus? It’s not like it was the couches’ fault.
22. If a Pickle Doesn’t Bounce, You Can’t Sell It
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Where this law exists: Connecticut
Year enacted: 1948
Final verdict: Do you know how to tell if a pickle is legit? See if it bounces. Apparently, two pickle farmers were caught selling pickles that weren’t fit for human consumption back in the 1940s.
The only problem was that no one had defined exactly what qualities a pickle must have to pass inspection. Local officials decided that bouncy pickles were fresher than those that just flopped onto the ground when dropped, and so the law was born. And, yes, two men were fined for having woefully floppy pickles.
21. You Can’t Put a Coin in Your Ear
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Where this law exists: Hawaii
Year enacted: 1900
Final verdict: No, someone didn't get a coin stuck in their ear. The reason for this law comes down to respect for cultural traditions.
When Hawaii joined the United States in 1900, it still had its own coinage. Many elements of Hawaiian culture were repressed, so understandably, native Hawaiians didn’t want their coins stuck in people’s ears.
20. Underage Culinary Students Can Drink (Sort Of)
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Where this law exists: Illinois
Year enacted: 2012
Final verdict: In 2012, Illinois decided it was OK for culinary students to sample alcoholic beverages as part of their education, as long as they spit it out instead of actually drinking it. The law was fittingly nicknamed the “Sip and Spit” law.
We’d wager that most of the students have plenty of non-educational sipping experience already. This is one weird law that Europeans would definitely laugh at.
19. You Can’t Ride a Horse Faster Than 10 Mph
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Where this law exists: Indianapolis, Indiana
Year enacted: 1975
Final verdict: This is one of those weird laws that has no clear explanation. It was enacted in the 1970s to essentially label horses as vehicles. The logic behind it must be similar to the logic behind cyclists having to obey normal traffic laws, only a little less sound.
“No horse shall be driven or ridden on any street in the city at a speed in excess of 10 miles per hour, and every horse shall be kept under control at all times by the person in charge thereof. Such person shall be subject to all applicable traffic regulations that apply to motor vehicles.”
It makes sense to require people to stay in control of their animals, but it’s not like there were lawless horses breaking the speed limit before they made this funky law.
18. You Can’t Marry the Same Man Four Times
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Where this law exists: Kentucky
Year enacted: Unknown
Final verdict: This weird law sounds like something made up by a fed-up best friend. If you broke up three times, why would a fourth try be any different? Quit getting married. Quit getting divorced. Just quit it. Consider this law a sign.
We’re not sure what prompted the law to be made in the first place, but it’s not the worst law written. Luckily, after you’re finally over your ex, it’s perfectly legal to marry someone else.
17. You Can’t Surprise Someone With a Pizza
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Where this law exists: Louisiana
Year enacted: 1999
Final verdict: If you’re trying to surprise your friend with a pizza, do it with caution. Sending someone a pizza can cost way more than the delivery fee but only if you do it wrong. This law was enacted to prevent people from being forced to foot the bill for food they didn’t order. It’s considered harassment, as it should be.
So, as long as you’re gifting the pizza to someone and it’s paid in full, it should be fine. If you’re just being a jerk, it’ll cost you $500. Plus the cost of the pizza.
16. You Can’t Park in Front of Dunkin’ Donuts
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Where this law exists: South Berwick, Maine
Year enacted: Unknown
Final verdict: Dunkin’ Donuts and coffee are as American as it gets, and so is this weird law.
In South Berwick, Maine, the parking lot was perpetually jam-packed. It got to the point that it became a massive traffic jam and an ongoing driving hazard, so the town forbade parking there at all. Only in America would a donut chain require a new law like this to be written.
15. You Can’t Tell Fortunes Without a License
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Where this law exists: Massachusetts
Year enacted: 1983
Final verdict: It’s tough to imagine fortune-tellers being taken so seriously that a law needs to be made about them. That said, some people swear by psychics and will pay top dollar for a reading from an experienced fortune-teller.
To prevent any old Joe from masquerading as one, though, Massachusetts requires fortune-tellers to live in the state for a minimum of a year before applying for a license. It’s nothing like passing a driving test, but at least it takes some work before a psychic can start selling predictions. Shady psychics probably won’t bother jumping through all the hoops.
14. You Can’t Serve Margarine Without Consent
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Where this law exists: Wisconsin
Year enacted: 1895 (ish)
Final verdict: Technically, it was Wisconsin’s downright war against margarine that began in 1895. When it was first invented, Wisconsin banned the yellow butter substitute, thinking that it was a threat to their thriving dairy industry. The laws lightened up over the years, with margarine sales remaining a criminal offense until 1967.
One lighter margarine law, however, stuck around: Restaurants were forbidden to substitute margarine for butter unless a customer requested it for fear of triggering allergic reactions. Despite attempts to repeal the law in 2011, the margarine ban has stuck. Now, that's something Europeans can probably get behind.
13. You Can’t Sell a Car on a Sunday
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Where this law exists: Michigan
Year enacted: 1953
Final verdict: This weird law is tied to religious beliefs. Michigan has a large Christian population, and in their faith, it’s believed that Sunday should be reserved for rest, family time and church.
So, hopefully, your old car works well enough to make it home from mass because you won’t be able to buy a new one until Monday morning.
12. You Can’t Have Muddy Tires
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Where this law exists: Minnesota
Year enacted: Unknown
Final verdict: We’re not sure how this law originally came to pass, but we can tell you why. Dirty tires that leave a trail of mud on the street are considered a public nuisance.
That begs the question: Who had tires so muddy that people took the issue to city hall? Regardless, next time you camp in Minnesota, make sure to hose off your tires if you’ve taken an off-roading expedition. Or else!
11. You Can’t Wrestle a Bear
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Where this law exists: Missouri
Year enacted: 2000
Final verdict: Here’s yet another weird law that we wish was a joke. Sadly, it’s not. People used to set up bear-wrestling rings. Before you worry about the people, remember that they signed up for the match while the bears did not.
The poor bears were also subjected to inhumane practices, like removing their claws and teeth, to prevent them from killing their human opponents. This law is weird, but it’s a very reasonable response to a very unreasonable, unethical practice. The law is still upheld today.
10. You Can’t Keep a Pet Rat
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Where this law exists: Billings, Montana
Year enacted: Unknown
Final verdict: In most of Montana, keeping a pet rat is completely fine. In Billings, however, you can’t buy or sell a rat unless it’s for the purpose of feeding a reptile or bird of prey.
People called out the law as hypocritical and unfair since there was no such ruling against similar pets like hamsters and guinea pigs. According to one petition, the law was originally enacted in reaction to an unpleasant hoarding situation.
9. You Can’t Sit on the Sidewalk
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Where this law exists: Reno, Nevada
Year enacted: 1995
Final verdict: Nevada takes itself a little too seriously sometimes. In Reno, it’s illegal to sit down on public sidewalks because the point of sidewalks is “to walk.” No, you can’t lie down on them, either.
Supposedly, it’s a threat to public safety. Exceptions are made for people in wheelchairs, participating in parades or having a medical emergency. So, you won’t get a ticket for having a heart attack. Good to know.
8. You Can’t Take Seaweed From the Beach
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Where this law exists: New Hampshire
Year enacted: 1973
Final verdict: This is one of the weirdest U.S. laws because it’s almost entirely pointless. How many sleazy seaweed peddlers have you met?
Rumor has it that seaweed was once used as fertilizer and was “stolen” from public beaches in the night, but no one’s positive how this wacky law really came to be.
7. You Can’t Vote If You’re an Idiot
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Where this law exists: New Mexico
Year enacted: 1910
Final verdict: Sounds great, doesn’t it? Why not outlaw idiotic drivers, while you’re at it, New Mexico? Unfortunately, this old law has some pretty outdated and unfair roots. The term “idiot” was once used to describe individuals with intellectual disabilities, making the law both archaic and demeaning.
The original law prohibited "idiots" as well as "insane persons convicted of a felonious or infamous crime" from voting, but a 2010 amendment reversed the ban.
6. You Can’t Wear a Bulletproof Vest While Committing a Crime
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Where this law exists: New Jersey
Year enacted: 1983
Final verdict: Amended most recently in 1999, this weird U.S. law forbids criminals from protecting themselves from bullets with a body vest while committing crimes. It states: “Use or wearing a body vest while engaged in the commission of, or an attempt to commit, or flight after committing or attempting to commit a crime of the first degree is a crime of the second degree. Otherwise, it is a crime of the third degree.”
Good to know. But that begs the question, what’s the point? We're talking about law-breaking criminals, right? “Wait, I can’t wear a bulletproof vest? I’m out. This murder is canceled," said no murderer ever.
5. You Can’t Drink and Play Bingo
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Where this law exists: North Carolina
Year enacted: Unknown
Final verdict: We couldn’t figure out when this law was first enacted, but it reportedly hasn’t been updated in over 30 years. It’s a very real law, and bingo halls can be fined for serving alcohol. Similarly, bars can be fined for allowing bingo.
You can’t even have a beer in the same room as a bingo game, even if you’re not playing. Why North Carolina is so serious about their bingo games, we haven’t a clue.
4. You Can’t Trip a Horse
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Where this law exists: Oklahoma
Year enacted: 2014
Final verdict: Why would someone trip a horse? Why? It’s basically a cow with toothpicks for legs. That’s just not right.
Unfortunately, people are terrible. Horse-tripping became a popular event, so much so that Oklahoma had to outlaw the practice, along with 12 other states. On the list of weird U.S. laws, this one we’d like to keep.
3. You Can’t Sleep in a Cheese Factory
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Where this law exists: South Dakota
Year enacted: Unknown
Final verdict: Or you can’t lie down to sleep, at least. Standing up and sleeping is fine. The logic behind this weird law was that sleeping around heavy machinery was a bad idea.
We're not sure why it’s any safer if you’re sleeping standing up, but we’ll go with it. As long as we get that sweet, sweet cheddar. No pun intended.
2. You Can’t Share Your Netflix Password
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Where this law exists: Tennessee
Year enacted: 2011
Final verdict: This weird law was intended for hackers to prevent people from selling Netflix login details in bulk.
It does that, but it also means that no Tennessee resident can share their password with anyone outside of their household. Not that any of us ever do that...
1. You Can’t Build a Large Building Without Displaying Art
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Where this law exists: Wyoming
Year enacted: 1991
Final verdict: The point of this weird law was to help bolster state art agencies. New public buildings that cost over $100,000 have to allocate 1 percent of funds for art displays, thanks to the National Assembly of State Art Agencies.
Picasso would be pleased.