14 Outdated Laws That Were Still Enforced in Recent History
Some laws seem so strange or old-fashioned that it’s hard to believe they were ever real, let alone still active in modern times. In recent decades, people have been fined or even arrested for breaking rules that feel like they belonged in another century. From odd dress codes to bizarre public behavior bans, these outdated laws somehow stuck around longer than expected.
- Tricia Quitales
- 4 min read
Not all laws keep up with the times, and some rules from the past continued to be enforced well into recent history. Even as technology and culture moved forward, certain laws stayed frozen in time, surprising both the public and the courts. This article highlights 14 strange or outdated laws that were still active, and in some cases, actually used in the last few decades. These cases show how tricky it can be to balance tradition, legality, and common sense.
1. No Ice Cream on Sundays in Public (Alabama)
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For years, parts of Alabama banned people from eating ice cream cones on the sidewalk on Sundays. This was tied to old “blue laws” meant to keep Sundays solemn. Shockingly, some towns still had this law in place into the 2000s.
2. Banned From Wearing Sagging Pants (Louisiana)
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Certain cities in Louisiana passed ordinances banning sagging pants, saying they were indecent. People were fined and even jailed for their fashion choices. Critics said it unfairly targeted young Black men.
3. Whistling After 11 PM (Switzerland)
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In some Swiss towns, it was illegal to whistle after 11 P.M., especially in apartment areas. The rule was meant to prevent noise during quiet hours. Tourists who didn’t know better could actually get complaints filed against them.
4. Women Not Allowed to Wear Pants (France)
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Until 2013, a French law technically made it illegal for women to wear pants in Paris without police approval. Though rarely enforced, it remained in place for over two centuries. The law was finally repealed after growing criticism.
5. No Dancing Without a Permit (Japan)
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For decades, Japan enforced a law banning dancing after midnight unless the venue had a special license. Clubs were raided and shut down under this rule, which was originally aimed at curbing crime. The law was only relaxed in 2015.
6. Fortune-Telling Bans (Maryland)
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Several Maryland counties had laws banning fortune-telling, with violators facing fines or jail. In 2008, a woman was arrested for running a tarot reading business. She later sued the county, and the law was ruled unconstitutional.
7. Single Women Not Allowed to Parachute on Sundays (Florida)
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An old Florida law once prohibited unmarried women from skydiving on Sundays. Though it sounds like a joke, the law stayed active for years. Legal experts believe it was a leftover from a time when women’s freedom was more limited.
8. Horse Tethering Restrictions (South Carolina)
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Some towns in South Carolina had laws against tying horses to certain buildings or trees. While useful in the 1800s, these laws became irrelevant but still appeared in city codes well into the 2000s. They were finally repealed when someone tried to cite them during a dispute.
9. Blasphemy Laws (Massachusetts)
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Until 2010, Massachusetts had a law that made it illegal to publicly insult God or the Christian religion. Though rarely enforced, it stood in conflict with free speech rights. The law was quietly repealed after public pressure.
10. Bingo Games Limited to Five Hours (North Carolina)
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In North Carolina, it was illegal for a bingo session to last more than five hours. The rule was created to prevent illegal gambling in disguise. Some senior centers were warned or fined when their games went a bit too long.
11. Ban on Artificial Mustaches in Church (Alabama)
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A strange Alabama law once banned fake mustaches in church because they could make people laugh. Though no recent arrests are known, the law stayed on the books for decades. It became a favorite example of America’s odd legal history.
12. No Throwing Snowballs (Colorado)
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In Severance, Colorado, throwing snowballs was technically illegal. A young boy famously challenged the law in 2018 and won. The town finally removed the ban after realizing how outdated it was.
13. Unmarried Couples Forbidden to Live Together (Mississippi)
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Up until the 2000s, some states had laws banning cohabitation by unmarried couples. Mississippi was one of them, and people were still being cited in some counties. These laws were slowly repealed or struck down in court.
14. Public Kissing Limit (Iowa)
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An old law in Iowa once limited a man to three kisses per day in public with his wife. Though it sounds made-up, it was a real ordinance in some towns. It wasn’t enforced, but it took years before it was finally removed.