15 Strange Laws That Are Still on the Books in America
You won’t believe these bizarre U.S. laws that are technically still enforceable today.
- Chris Graciano
- 3 min read
America’s legal system is full of oddities, and some old laws have managed to stick around. Though rarely enforced, these strange statutes still exist in various states across the country. From outlawed donkey naps to banned ice cream cones in back pockets, here are 15 weird laws that are still technically legal.
1. No Donkeys in Bathtubs – Arizona
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In Arizona, it’s illegal for a donkey to sleep in a bathtub. This quirky law came after a 1920s incident where a donkey was swept away during a flood.
2. Ice Cream in Back Pockets – Alabama
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Don’t slip a cone in your back pocket in Alabama — it’s illegal. This strange rule was supposedly created to stop horse thieves who used the treat to lure horses away without technically stealing them.
3. No Whistling Underwater – Vermont
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Yes, this is a real law in Vermont. While it’s unclear how anyone would enforce it, the act of whistling underwater is officially banned.
4. Chickens Crossing the Road – Georgia
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In Quitman, Georgia, chickens aren’t allowed to cross the road. The law places responsibility on chicken owners to keep their birds in check.
5. Bingo Time Limits – North Carolina
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In North Carolina, a bingo game can’t last more than five hours. This law was meant to stop gambling and keep games short.
6. Pickles Must Bounce – Connecticut
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If a pickle doesn’t bounce, it’s not a legal pickle in Connecticut. This odd standard was created to ensure freshness.
7. No Drunk Moose – Alaska
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It’s illegal to give alcohol to a moose in Alaska. While this might sound silly, the law came about after moose were seen stumbling around drunk.
8. No Roller Skating in the Bathroom – California
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In some areas of California, skating in public restrooms is banned. This hyper-specific law likely came from safety concerns.
9. Fishing with a Lasso – Tennessee
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You’re not allowed to catch fish using a lasso in Tennessee. Apparently, someone once tried it and lawmakers weren’t impressed.
10. No Honking After 9 PM – Arkansas
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In Little Rock, Arkansas, honking your horn after 9 p.m. near sandwich shops is illegal. Presumably, this is to avoid disturbing late-night diners.
11. No Fake Mustaches in Church – Alabama
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Wearing a fake mustache in church that causes laughter is against the law in Alabama. It’s part of an old moral code to keep services respectful.
12. No Sharing Netflix Passwords – Tennessee
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Sharing your streaming login can be considered a crime in Tennessee. The law targets large-scale password sharing but technically applies to casual users as well.
13. Don’t Sell Your Eye – Texas
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In Texas, you can’t legally sell your eyeball. Other organs are also off-limits for sale, but the law calls out eyes specifically.
14. No Selling Haunted Houses Without Disclosure – New York
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If you believe your house is haunted, you legally have to tell buyers in New York. This “Ghostbuster ruling” came after a famous case in the ’90s.
15. It’s Illegal to Be Ugly in Public – Chicago (Historical)
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While no longer enforced, a historical Chicago ordinance banned “unsightly” people from public view. It was meant to preserve public morality but is now seen as offensive and absurd.