50 Weird Laws You Didn’t Know Existed in the USA
Laws are meant to maintain order, but in some places, they end up being downright bizarre. The United States is home to countless weird laws that sound like they belong in a movie or a comedy sketch. Some are outdated, others are still technically enforced, and a few may even leave you scratching your head. From silly regulations about animals to laws governing your behavior in public, here’s a roundup of 50 strange laws in the USA that you probably didn’t know existed.
1. Alabama: Fake Mustaches in Church
It’s illegal in Alabama to wear a fake mustache in church if it causes laughter. This law dates back to a time when public decorum was taken very seriously. So, if you’re attending church, make sure your mustache is the real deal.
2. Alaska: No Waking Bears for Photos
In Alaska, it’s illegal to wake a bear for a photo opportunity. While it might be tempting to snap a pic with a wild animal, this law protects both the photographer and the bear from potential harm.
3. Arizona: Donkeys and Swimming Pools
Don’t bring your donkey to the pool in Arizona. It’s illegal to have a donkey in a swimming pool, and while this may sound funny, it’s a serious violation.
4. Arkansas: Mispronouncing the State’s Name
In Arkansas, it is illegal to mispronounce the name of the state. It’s “Ar-kan-saw,” not “Ar-kan-sus,” so make sure you get it right if you’re visiting.
5. California: No Whistling for Canary Before 7 a.m.
In Berkeley, California, it’s illegal to whistle for a lost canary before 7 a.m. While this might seem trivial, it’s still on the books.
6. Colorado: No Throwing Missiles at Cars
It’s illegal in Colorado to throw any kind of missile at a car. While this may seem obvious, the law is on the books to protect drivers from harm.
7. Connecticut: No Banning the Use of Silly String
In Connecticut, it’s illegal to sell or use silly string on Halloween. Though this law may not be strictly enforced, it’s still technically valid.
8. Delaware: No Whispering in Church
Whispering in church is illegal in Delaware. If you have to speak, it must be in a normal voice to avoid disturbing the congregation.
9. Florida: No Singing in Public Places Without a Permit
In Florida, you can’t sing in public without a permit. This law was passed to prevent loud disturbances but is rarely enforced today.
10. Georgia: No Eating Fried Chicken with Silverware
In Georgia, it’s illegal to eat fried chicken with silverware. The law is clearly an ode to the southern tradition of eating fried chicken with your hands.
11. Hawaii: No Billboards
In Hawaii, billboards are banned. This law was introduced to preserve the natural beauty of the islands by preventing unnecessary commercial advertising.
12. Idaho: No Fishing from a Camel
If you’re in Idaho, don’t plan to fish from a camel. The law prohibits such activity, although it’s unlikely to be enforced in most cases.
13. Illinois: Wild Animals as Pets
In Illinois, it’s illegal to keep a pet monkey. The law was passed to protect both people and the animals themselves, ensuring that wild creatures aren’t kept in unsuitable conditions.
14. Indiana: No Catching Fish with Your Bare Hands
In Indiana, it’s illegal to catch fish with your bare hands. Fishing should be done with a pole, line, or net, not with your bare hands.
15. Iowa: No Kisses on the Lips
In Iowa, kissing in public is limited to “no kissing on the lips” according to an outdated law. This odd law exists only in certain parts of the state.
16. Kansas: No Pedestrians on the Highway
In Kansas, it’s illegal for pedestrians to walk on the highway. The law is intended to ensure road safety, especially on busy highways.
17. Kentucky: No Texting While Driving
In Kentucky, texting while driving is illegal. This law aims to reduce distractions and keep drivers focused on the road.
18. Louisiana: No Snoring in Public
It’s illegal to snore in public places in Louisiana. This strange law was passed to avoid disturbing other people in public spaces.
19. Maine: No Keep a Dog in a Car on a Hot Day
In Maine, it’s illegal to leave a dog in a parked car on a hot day. This law ensures that pets are kept safe and cool in the summer heat.
20. Maryland: No Cussing in Public
In Maryland, public cursing is prohibited. While it may sound harsh, the law is designed to prevent public disturbances.
21. Massachusetts: No Swearing in Public
Swearing in public is illegal in Massachusetts. If you’re caught swearing in public, you could face a fine.
22. Michigan: No Drinking in a Bar While Sitting on the Floor
In Michigan, it’s illegal to drink in a bar while sitting on the floor. The law was passed to ensure that patrons remained seated in an orderly fashion.
23. Minnesota: Lemonade Stand Laws
In Minnesota, kids are required to obtain a permit if they want to sell lemonade. This law helps protect the public from unlicensed vendors and ensures that vendors comply with health and safety regulations.
24. Mississippi: No Farting in Public Places
In Mississippi, it’s illegal to fart in public places. While this law is a relic of the past, it’s still technically on the books.
25. Missouri: No Driving While Sleeping
In Missouri, it’s illegal to drive while sleeping. Though this law is unlikely to be enforced unless you’re caught napping behind the wheel, it still exists.
26. Montana: No Eating Poison Ivy
In Montana, eating poison ivy is illegal. This strange law ensures that people avoid potentially harmful plants.
27. Nebraska: No Sleeping in Your Bathtub
In Nebraska, it’s illegal to sleep in your bathtub. This law exists to prevent accidents, such as drowning or injury while sleeping in the tub.
28. Nevada: No Playing Cards in Public
In Nevada, it’s illegal to play cards in public without a license. This law ensures that gambling is regulated properly in the state.
29. New Hampshire: No Taking a Bath on Sundays
In New Hampshire, taking a bath on Sundays is illegal. Though this law isn’t enforced, it’s a remnant of an earlier time when public morality was more heavily regulated.
30. New Jersey: No Sliding Down a Mountain
In New Jersey, it’s illegal to slide down a mountain on a sled. This law was likely passed for safety reasons but remains in effect.
31. New Mexico: No Dancing in Public Without a Permit
In New Mexico, it’s illegal to dance in public without a permit. This law is a leftover from an era when dancing in public was highly regulated.
32. New York: No Walking on Sidewalks with Ice Cream
In New York, it’s illegal to walk on the sidewalk while holding an ice cream cone. The law likely aims to maintain public order and avoid accidents.
33. North Carolina: No Watering Your Lawn in the Middle of the Day
In North Carolina, it’s illegal to water your lawn during the middle of the day. This law was enacted to conserve water and prevent wastage during the hot summer months.
34. Ohio: No Catching a Fish in Public Waters Without a License
In Ohio, it’s illegal to fish in public waters without a license. This law ensures that fishing activities are properly regulated to protect local ecosystems.
35. Oklahoma: No Spitting in Public
In Oklahoma, spitting in public is illegal. This is to ensure cleanliness and public hygiene in certain areas.
36. Oregon: No Singing in Public Without a Permit
In Oregon, it’s illegal to sing in public without a permit. Though it seems trivial, the law was likely passed to regulate noise levels in certain areas.
37. Pennsylvania: No Drinking on Sundays
In Pennsylvania, it’s illegal to drink alcohol on Sundays. While this law has been relaxed in some areas, it remains in effect in others.
38. Rhode Island: No Throwing Objects at Cars
In Rhode Island, throwing objects at a car is illegal. Whether it’s a tomato or a snowball, it’s prohibited to throw things at vehicles.
39. South Carolina: No Holding Hands on Sundays
In South Carolina, it’s illegal to hold hands in public on Sundays. This outdated law is a relic of a time when strict moral codes were enforced.
40. South Dakota: No Playing Musical Instruments in Public
In South Dakota, it’s illegal to play musical instruments in public without a permit. The law was introduced to ensure public peace and order.
41. Tennessee: No Spitting on Sidewalks
In Tennessee, it’s illegal to spit on sidewalks. This law ensures that public spaces remain clean and sanitary.
42. Texas: No Walking Around with an Ice Cream Cone in Your Back Pocket
In Texas, it’s illegal to carry an ice cream cone in your back pocket. This law was originally passed to prevent horse theft, as thieves would use the ice cream cones to lure horses away.
43. Utah: No Carrying Firearms into a Bar
In Utah, it’s illegal to carry a firearm into a bar. This law was introduced to promote safety in public drinking establishments.
44. Vermont: No Skiing While Drunk
In Vermont, it’s illegal to ski while intoxicated. This law exists to protect the safety of skiers and snowboarders on the slopes.
45. Virginia: No Spitting in Public
In Virginia, spitting in public places is prohibited. The law aims to maintain public cleanliness and hygiene.
46. Washington: No Selling or Using Fireworks
In Washington, it’s illegal to sell or use fireworks. The law was passed to prevent fires and ensure public safety during celebrations.
47. West Virginia: No Whistling at Women
In West Virginia, it’s illegal to whistle at women. This outdated law was passed to curb unwanted attention and harassment.
48. Wisconsin: No Drinking in Public on Sundays
In Wisconsin, it’s illegal to drink in public on Sundays. The law was created to maintain a moral code in public spaces during religious observance.
49. Wyoming: No Game of “Horse” on Sundays
In Wyoming, it’s illegal to play the game of “Horse” on Sundays. This seemingly random law is likely a relic from a time when public activities were heavily regulated.
50. Wyoming: No Fishing in a Game Preserve
In Wyoming, fishing is illegal in a game conservation area. This law protects natural wildlife in designated conservation areas.
These strange and outdated laws may sound like they belong in a comedy sketch, but many are still on the books in various states across the U.S. While some of them are rarely enforced, they remain part of the legal system. If you plan on visiting or living in any of these states, it’s worth brushing up on these quirky regulations.
