50 Weird American Laws You Won’t Believe By State
The United States is home to a fascinating array of laws, some so bizarre that they seem more like fiction than fact. While a number of these peculiar laws are indeed real, many are no longer enforced, having become outdated or irrelevant. Others are purely urban myths, concocted for entertainment rather than governance.
This post is meant for a bit of fun and laughter, showcasing the quirkier side of American legal history. From laws about what you can’t do with a fish to restrictions on where you can’t walk a cow, these odd regulations are sure to bring a smile. You’ll note also, the surprising mentions of elephants for some of these states.
Alabama
It is illegal to wear a fake mustache that causes laughter in church.
Alaska
It is illegal to wake a sleeping bear to take a photo.
Arizona
It is illegal for donkeys to sleep in bathtubs.
Arkansas
It is illegal to mispronounce “Arkansas”.
California
In California, a frog that dies during a frog-jumping contest cannot legally be eaten.
Colorado
It is illegal to ride a horse while under the influence.
Connecticut
A pickle cannot be legally considered a pickle unless it bounces.
Delaware
“R” rated movies shall not be shown at drive-in theaters.
Florida
If an elephant is left tide to a parking meter, the parking fee has it be paid just as it would for a vehicle.
Georgia
It is illegal to keep an ice cream cone in your back pocket on Sundays.
Hawaii
Coins are not allowed to be placed in one’s ears.
Idaho
It is illegal in Idaho to give your sweetheart a box of chocolates weighing more than 50 pounds.
Illinois
It is legal for a minor to drink as long as he or she is enrolled in a culianry program.
Indiana
Mustaches are illegal if the bearer has a tendency to habitually kiss other humans.
Iowa
One armed piano players must, by law, perform for free.
Kansas
A poorly worded law states that if two trains meet on the same track, neither shall proceed until the other has passed.
Kentucky
One may not dye a duckling blue and offer it for sale unless more than six are for sale at once.
Louisiana
You can be fined $500 for sending a pizza order to someone’s house without his or her knowledge.
Maine
It is illegal to keep Christmas decorations up after January 14.
Maryland
It is a violation to be in a public park with a sleeveless short.
Massachusetts
It is illegal to own an explosive golf ball.
Michigan
It is illegal for women to cut their own hair without their husband’s permission.
Minnesota
A person may not cross state lines with a duck atop his or her head.
Mississippi
One may be fined up to $100 for using profane language in public places.
Missouri
It is illegal to drive with an uncaged bear.
Montana
Guiding sheep onto a railroad track with intent to injure the train is subject to a fine up to $50,000 and serving at most five years in prison.
Nebraska
It is illegal for a mother to give her daughter a perm without a state license.
Nevada
It is illegal to drive a camel on the highway.
New Hampshire
As of 1973, it is illegal to carry away or collect seaweed at night,
New Jersey
It is illegal for a man to knit during the fishing season.
New Mexico
State officials ordered 400 words of explicit material to be cut from Romeo and Juliet.
New York
Slippers are not to be worn after 10 p.m.
North Carolina
Elephants may not be used to plow cotton fields.
North Dakota
It is illegal to lie down and fall asleep with your shoes on.
Ohio
It is illegal to get a fish drunk.
Oklahoma
It is illegal to wrestle a bear.
Oregon
It is illegal to go hunting in a cemetery.
Pennsylvania
It is illegal to tell a fortune teller where to dig for buried treasure.
Rhode Island
It is illegal to bite off someone’s limb. One risk 1 to 20 years in prison.
South Carolina
Horses may not be kept in bathtubs.
South Dakota
It is illegal to sleep in a cheese factory.
Tennessee
It is illegal to share your Netflix password.
Texas
It is illegal to sell one’s eye.
Utah
It is illegal not to drink milk.
Vermont
Women must obtain written permission from their husbands to wear false teeth.
Virginia
It is illegal for children to go trick-or-treating on Halloween.
Washington
The harassing of Bigfoot, Sasquatch or other undiscovered subspecies is a felony punishable by a fine and possibly emprisonment.
West Virginia
It is illegal to whistle under water.
Wisconsin
It is illegal to serve butter substitutes in prison.
Wyoming
It is illegal to take photo of a rabbit from January to April without an official permit.
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We are Mary and Eric, the founders of Be Right Back, a blog dedicated to romance around the globe and at home.
We are Mary and Eric, the founders of Be Right Back, a blog dedicated to romance around the globe and at home. With over 10 years of experience in dating and traveling to romantic places, we share our favorite date ideas and romantic destinations to help couples level up their relationships. Having lived in and traveled through the USA, we also share our favourite things to do in the States.
With 70,000 monthly readers and 16,000 followers on social media, Be Right Back is your go-to resource for romantic trip ideas and couple activities at home and abroad.