Our great country is famous for some rather weird things but there are some bizarre things that not everybody knows about—including the laws! Whether it’s on California’s sunny shores or New York’s busy streets, there are some truly strange laws still on the books. Here are the twelve of the weirdest laws still around today. They might make you question the sanity of it all.
Featured Image Credit: EdZbarzhyvetsky /Depositphotos.com.
Atlanta’s Giraffe Parking Problem
Believe it or not, in Atlanta, Georgia, you can’t tie your giraffe to a telephone pole or street lamp. Just why is this even a law? Was there once a serious issue with giraffes roaming Atlanta that caused enough trouble to necessitate this law? It’s highly unlikely you’ll be walking your giraffe down Peachtree Street—but it’s good to know where you can’t park them.
Goodyear, Arizona’s Spit-Free Sidewalks
If you’re in Goodyear, Arizona, keep your spit to yourself because it’s illegal to spit on the sidewalk there. The law likely started as a public health measure to keep the streets clean & tidy. Of course, spitting isn’t the most polite behavior in any setting. Maybe other places should copy Goodyear and make it illegal, too.
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New York’s Late-Night Slipper Ban
In New York, wearing slippers in public after 10 PM is technically illegal. This law is part of original measures to encourage people to maintain a certain level of public decorum. However, anyone who’s out late in the Empire State without proper footwear probably won’t be arrested. The cops have other things to worry about.
Alaska’s Moose Hunting Whisper Rule
In Alaska, whispering in someone’s ear while they’re moose hunting is illegal as part of the government’s attempts to keep the hunt safe & focused. After all, hunting requires concentration. A whispered conversation could potentially spook the wildlife—or worse, cause something dangerous to happen.
Idaho’s Fish Taxi Fare Fairness
Idaho has a law that’s all about fairness—for fish. It’s illegal to give a live fish a ride in a taxi or to transport it via any vehicle, although it’s okay to transport dead fish. As such, anyone visiting the pet store will have to think twice about how they’re going to take their new fishy friends home. You might just have to walk instead.
Gainesville, Georgia’s Fried Chicken Mandate
Gainesville, Georgia, takes its fried chicken so seriously that there’s a law stating it must be eaten with your hands. Yes, really! The law states that fried chicken is a delicacy and the government wanted to promote the city as a poultry capital. Ditch the fork & knife and dig in the traditional way.
California’s Frog-Jumping Contest Regulations
In California, if a frog dies during a frog-jumping contest, you can’t eat it—instead, you have to destroy it immediately. Competitive frog-jumping is serious business over there and they take the participants’ welfare (the frogs, that is) quite seriously. On the positive side, the law states there’s no limit on how many live frogs you use for frog-jumping!
Minnesota’s Illegal Dirty Tires
Driving a vehicle with dirty tires is considered a public nuisance in Minnetonka, Minnesota. As such, you’ll need to keep your car clean! The law is trying to keep the streets clean & tidy but it does make you think twice about going off-road or driving through a mud puddle. Give your tires a quick check before hitting the road.
South Carolina’s Musical Instrument Sales on Sunday
South Carolina has a law that prohibits the sale of musical instruments on Sunday, among other things. It’s an example of a “blue law,” which restricts certain activities to preserve the Sabbath day. However, you’re probably not going to get in trouble if you buy a saxophone on a Sunday—it’s just an older law that’s never been repealed.
Wisconsin’s Cheese Standards
Wisconsin takes its cheese seriously—so seriously, in fact, that it’s illegal to produce or sell state cheese that isn’t “highly pleasing.” After all, Wisconsin’s known as America’s Dairyland and they’ve created this law to show their commitment to quality. This way, Wisconsin’s cheese lives up to its reputation. So the next time you’re eating some Wisconsin cheese, rest assured—it’s legally required to be delicious.
Maryland’s Lion at the Movies Ban
In Maryland, you’re not allowed to take a lion to the movies. What’s strange about this law is the fact that it actually exists—why would someone own a lion, let alone want to take it to the movie theater?! Clearly, though, at some point, they thought it was necessary to spell this out. Make sure you only bring popcorn to the theater.
North Carolina’s Bingo Game Length Limit
North Carolina has a time limit on bingo games—no game can last longer than 5 hours unless it’s held at a fair. You can also only host two sessions a week and these sessions cannot be held within 48 hours of each other. The goal? To prevent excessive gambling. Keep an eye on the clock during your next bingo game!
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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