Laws are supposed to keep things in order, but some rules leave us scratching our heads. From silly to sensible, these strange laws make us wonder what inspired them. They may not always make sense, but they certainly make history more interesting.
1. Alabama: No Driving Blindfolded
Would love to hear the story behind this one, but whatever its provenance, Alabama is pretty serious about not driving blindfolded. Maybe it was a dare gone bad?
2. Alaska: Don’t Push a Moose
In Alaska, it’s against the law to push a live moose out of an airplane. We’re not sure why this needed clarification, or how often it’s invoked, but here we are.
3. Arizona: Donkeys in Bathtubs
Arizona bans donkeys from sleeping in bathtubs. This law came about after a flood washed a donkey in a bathtub down the valley, leading to a chaotic rescue mission. The law doesn’t say anything about donkeys standing in bathtubs, however.
4. Arkansas: Don’t Harass the Sandwiches
In Arkansas, it’s illegal to honk your car horn near a restaurant that serves cold drinks and sandwiches after 9pm. Guessing someone got a little bit hangry?
5. California: Frog Jumping Contests
In California, frogs used in frog-jumping contests cannot be eaten. And we have to agree with this one. These champions deserve a dignified retirement.
6. Colorado: Banish the Couch
In Colorado, it’s illegal to place couches outside. Apparently, the University of Colorado had a problem with students setting fire to old couches outdoors. So much for porch lounging.
7. Connecticut: Pickle Protocol
In Connecticut, a pickle must bounce to be considered a pickle. It’s not just a snack; it’s a standard. No floppy gherkins allowed.
8. Delaware: No Peddling Dog Hair
In Delaware, “a person is guilty of the unlawful trade in dog or cat by-products in the second degree” if they sell dog or cat hair. Guess they’ll have to drive up Zyrtec sales with something else.
9. Florida: Animal Parking Tickets
This one’s a throwback to the 1920’s when Ringling Bros. was based in Florida. Animals—including horses, camels, and elephants—count as any other vehicle, parking-wise.
10. Georgia: Fried Chicken Fiasco
In Gainesville, Georgia, it’s illegal to eat fried chicken with a fork. What can we say? True Southerners use their hands.
11. Hawaii: No Coins in Ears
Though this one sounds like one too many magic tricks gone awry, the real story has more to do with protecting the Kingdom of Hawaii coinage after they joined the United States.
12. Idaho: No Cannibalism
Cannibalism is illegal in Idaho, except in life-or-death situations. It’s a rule with some grim implications, and yet it’s surprisingly practical.
13. Illinois: Fancy Bike Rules
In Galesburg, Illinois, it’s illegal to ride a bike with no hands. As it should be. Safety comes first, even for daredevils.
14. Indiana: No Extreme Fishing
Indiana forbids fishing with dynamite, guns, or your bare hands. Fishing is all about stillness and patience, not explosions. Though the bare hands thing is puzzling. No Catfish noodling in Indiana?
15. Iowa: Keep Your Bricks to Yourself
In Iowa, throwing a brick onto a highway is strictly prohibited without the permission of your City Council. Which seems logical, but now we’re wondering how often those exceptions happen.
16. Kansas: Ice Cream Troubles
In Kansas, serving ice cream on cherry pie was once illegal. Thankfully, dessert is deemed safe to consume once again.
17. Kentucky: Fourth Time’s No Charm
In Kentucky, it’s illegal for a woman to marry the same man four times. We really, really want to hear this origin story. Sounds like she needed an intervention.
18. Louisiana: No Pizza Surprises
Sending someone an unrequested pizza in Louisiana is considered harassment. We don’t see the harm, but practical jokers, take note.
19. Maine: Dunkin’ Donuts Etiquette
In the city of South Berwick, Maine, parking in front of Dunkin’ Donuts is strictly prohibited. Traffic management or coffee loyalty?
20. Maryland: Polite Driving
In Rockville, Maryland, it’s illegal to curse while driving. Which seems difficult to enforce, to put it mildly. Keep it clean behind the wheel, folks.
21. Massachusetts: Respect the Anthem
In Massachusetts, dancing to the national anthem is prohibited. Show your patriotism by standing still, ya heathens.
22. Michigan: No Car Sales on the Lord’s Day
In Michigan, it’s illegal to sell, trade, or buy a motor vehicle on a Sunday. For religious reasons. Stay faithful in the Great Lakes State.
23. Minnesota: No Pig Wrestling
Minnesota bans contests involving greased pigs. The jury is still out on dry pigs. Clean fun is the way to go.
24. Mississippi: Politeness in Public
Swearing in public in Mississippi can result in a fine. What a fine, upstanding law. Southern manners are serious business in the Magnolia State, naturally.
25. Missouri: Bear Control
Missouri outlaws bear wrestling, for the welfare of the animal (and, we suspect, the other party) in question. Bear hugs, however, are still perfectly legal.
26. Montana: Mind the Tracks
Montana prohibits leaving sheep on railroad tracks. Which sounds like the nefarious plot of a mustache-twirling silent film villain. But in reality, it’s all about keeping train routes clear.
27. Nebraska: Marriage and Health
Nebraska bans people with STDs from marrying. And “the marriage of one afflicted with venereal disease is not void but voidable.” So… keep that in mind.
28. Nevada: Sidewalk Naps
In Reno, Nevada, it’s illegal to lie down—or even sit—on a sidewalks. It’s in an effort to keep pedestrian traffic jams from forming. Keep it moving, tourists.
29. New Hampshire: Seaweed Timing
In New Hampshire, you can’t harvest seaweed from a beach at night. Let’s all do what we can to preserve marine peace after dark, shall we?
30. New Jersey: Crime Doesn’t Get Protection
New Jersey punishes criminals who wear bulletproof vests. That’s people who’ve committed, or attempted to commit, a crime. No coddling the bad guys.
31. New Mexico: Idiotic Voting Rules
In New Mexico, it’s against the law for “idiots” as well as “insane persons convicted of a felonious or infamous crime” to vote. We could say a lot about this one, but let’s keep the name-calling to ourselves, yes?
32. New York: Jump Scares Are Out
In New York, scaring a pigeon is against the law. Keep your Halloween pranks amongst the humans, ‘K?
33. North Carolina: No Meetings in Costumes
In North Carolina, it’s illegal to hold meetings where participants wear costumes. Which begs a few questions. Maybe it’s a preventive measure against secret masquerades?
34. North Dakota: Keep Pretzels and Beer Apart
North Dakota once prohibited serving beer and pretzels together. This outdated law is no longer enforced, thankfully.
35. Ohio: Drunk Fish Are a No-Go
Ohio makes it illegal to get fish drunk. We can find no trace of where or why this came into being. But if anyone knows, please do tell.
36. Oklahoma: No Tripping Horses
In Oklahoma, it’s illegal to “promote, engage in or be employed at a horse tripping event.” Which, if we’re being honest, just sounds downright rude.
37. Oregon: No Ghost Busting
In Oregon, it’s illegal to go hunting in a cemetery. And although we really hoped this law was enacted as a result of a run-in with Venkman & Co., it seems to have been a response to a regular hunting incident.
38. Pennsylvania: No Psychics for Hire
In Pennsylvania, it’s illegal to tell fortunes, read tarot cards or palms, or engage in other psychic activities for monetary gain. Though we’re not sure how accurate the free readings are gonna be.
39. Rhode Island: No Limb Biting
In Rhode Island, it’s illegal to bite off someone’s limb. Seems like that would be rather challenging, but regardless, it’s a law that’s oddly specific but important.
40. South Carolina: Pinball Age Limits
In South Carolina, playing pinball under the age of 18 is strictly prohibited. Sorry kids! Keep to those less-corrupting board games at home.
41. South Dakota: No Sleeping With the Cheeses
In South Dakota, sleeping in a cheese factory is illegal. Sleeping in a Cheesecake Factory, however, is merely frowned upon.
42. Tennessee: Sharing Plate Laws
In Tennessee, it’s illegal to share your license plate with another vehicle. Technically, this is because in the state a license plate follows the person, not the vehicle. Still, a generally fair rule for maintaining order.
43. Texas: Don’t Sell Body Parts
In Texas, selling a human organ is illegal. This includes the kidney, liver, heart, lung, pancreas, bone or eyes. Wish this one didn’t have to be spelled out. Let’s leave the body intact, shall we?
44. Utah: Ban on Whale Hunting
In Utah, hunting whales is banned despite being landlocked. A rule that’s perhaps more symbolic than practical, though it’s been theorized that whales could have been released in the Great Salt Lake.
45. Vermont: No Dentures Without Permission
In Vermont, it’s mandatory for women to seek the permission of their husbands before getting false teeth. Oddly specific, as with the rest of this list. Guess some people just like the toothless look.
46. Virginia: No Candy for Teens
Virginia prohibits trick-or-treating after the age of 14. A travesty, if you ask us. How else are we going to get rid of our candy stash if no teenagers in lazy costumes show up at 9pm?
47. Washington: Bigfoot Protection
In Washington, harming Bigfoot is illegal. A frustration to big game hunters, surely; yet a boon to cryptozoologists everywhere.
48. West Virginia: No Hats at the Movies
This one’s just good sense. In West Virginia, wearing hats in a movie theater is illegal. A rule to ensure respect for all moviegoers and film buffs.
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49. Wisconsin: Real Butter Only
In Wisconsin, serving margarine instead of real butter in public institutions is prohibited. The Dairy State keeps it authentic, naturally.
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50. Wyoming: Mandatory Art Investments
In Wyoming, any buildings that cost $100,000+ are required to allocate 1% of that budget to investing in art for that building. Wyoming out here doing the important work.
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