[Editor's note: These were collected from various sources, with
duplications removed. One that I haven't seen here and which is a recent
law (unlike most of the ones mentioned, which are just outdated laws that
no one has bothered to repeal) I encountered in Maryland: in order to get a
burger cooked any rarer than well-done, e.g., medium, medium-rare, etc.,
you have to sign a waiver. Otherwise, Maryland restaurants and eateries are
required to cook meat so there is no pink inside.]

Newsgroups: bit.listserv.giggles
Subject: STUPID LOCAL LAWS
From: VEKARIA S (S.Vekaria@CITY.AC.UK)
Date: Fri, 24 Mar 1995 15:35:59 +0000

STUPID LOCAL LAWS

In Ottumwa, Iowa, "It is unlawful for any male person, within the corporate
limits of the (city), to wink at any female person with whom he is
unacquainted."

In Los Angeles, you cannot bathe two babies in the same tub at the same
time.

In Zion, Ill., it is illegal for anyone to give lighted cigars to dogs,
cats, and other domesticated animals kept as pets.

In Carmel, N.Y., a man can't go outside while wearing a jacket and pants
that do not match. << Note: this law isn't silly. Write your legislators
today and get this PASSED in your area now!!>>

In St. Louis, it's illegal to sit on the curb of any city street and drink
beer from a bucket.

In Hartford, Conn., you aren't allowed to cross a street while walking on
your hands.

In Baltimore, it's illegal to throw bales of hay from a second-story window
within the city limits. It's also illegal to take a lion to the movies.

In Oxford, Ohio, it's illegal for a woman to strip off her clothing while
standing in front of a man's picture.

In Carrizozo, N.M., it's forbidden for a female to appear unshaven in
public (includes legs and face).

In Pennsylvania it is illegal to have over 16 women live in a house
together because that constitutes a brothel...however up to 120 men can
live together, without breaking the law.

In Michigan, a woman isn't allowed to cut her own hair without her
husband's permission.
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printed in the local paper....

In New York, it is against the law to throw a ball at someone's head for
fun.

The state of Washington has passed a law stating it is illegal, I repeat,
illegal, to paint polka dots on the American flag.

In order for a pickle to officially be considered a pickle in Connecticut,
it must bounce.

To keep any of the incarcerated beast from picking up bad habits, the town
of Manville , NJ decreed that it is illegal to feed whiskey or offer
cigarettes to animals at the local zoo.

If you sell hollow logs in Tennessee, you are breaking the law.

Compulsive gamblers stay out of Richmond, VA: it is even illegal to flip a
coin in a restaurant to see who pays for the coffee.

Don't bother the butterflies in Pacific Grove, CA unless you have a n extra
$500 for the offense.

The same is true for bullfrogs and cottontails in Hayden, AZ. disturbing
them in the city limits is against the law.

Have it your way, but don't share it in OK. This state forbids a person
from taking a bite out of another person's hamburger.

Need a radio on Sunday? In Spokane, WA, you can buy one on the Sabbath, but
forget about purchasing a television!

In the state of New York, you need a license to use a clothesline outdoors.

What happens to doughnut holes? Well, they won't be found in Lehigh NE.
Selling doughnut holes in this city is verboten.

And if any retirees from the circus are thinking about settling down and
farming in NC, they are forwarned right here and now that it is against the
law in this state to use elephants to plow cotton fields!
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It is illegal to take more than 2 baths a month within Boston confines.

Two people cannot kiss in front of a church.

All Public Displays of Affection (PDAs) are forbidden on Sunday.

Pedestrians always have the right of way.

Anyone may let their sheep and cows graze in the public gardens/commons at
any time except Sundays.
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In Calgary there is a by-law that is still on the books that requires
businesses within the city to provide rails for tying up horses.

In the England it is illegal to sell most goods on a Sunday, (this law is
mostly ignored), it is however legal to sell a carrot. It is also legal to
sell it at any price and to give free gifts with it, such as anything else
one might want to buy on a Sunday!
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Pennsylvania:

In certain sections of Pennsylvania many years ago, the Farmer's
Anti-Automobile society set up some "rules of the road." In effect, they
said:

1. "Automobiles travelling on country roads at night must send up a rocket
every mile, then wait ten minutes for the road to clear."

2. "If a driver sees a team of horses, he is to pull to one side of the
road and cover his machine with a blanket or dust cover that has been
painted to blend into the scenery."

3. "In the event that a horse refuses to pass a car on the road, the owner
must take his car apart and conceal the parts in the bushes."

Utah:

It is against the law to fish from horseback.

Ohio:

In Bexley, Ordinance number 223, of 09/09/19 prohibits the installation and
usage of slot machines in outhouses.

Indiana:

Back in 1924, a monkey was convicted in South Bend of the crime of smoking
a cigarette and sentenced to pay a 25 dollar fine and the trial costs.

Kansas:

No one may catch fish with his bare hands in Kansas.

California:

In 1930, the City Council of Ontario passed an ordinance forbidding
roosters to crow within the city limits.

Oklahoma:

Harthahorne City Ordinance, Section 363, states that it shall be unlawful
to put any hypnotized person in a display window.
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These excerpts are from the book "Loony Laws" by Robert Pelton (Walker;
$8.95) Enjoy!

In Clawson, Mich., there is a law that makes it LEGAL for a farmer to sleep
with his pigs, cows, horses, goats, and chickens.

In Gary, Ind., persons are prohibited from attending a movie house or other
theater and from riding a public streetcar within four hours of eating
garlic.

In Miami, it's illegal for men to be seen publicly in any kind of strapless
gown.

In Detroit, couples are banned from making love in an automobile unless the
act takes place while the vehicle is parked on the couple's own property.

In Harford, Conn., you aren't allowed to cross a street while walking on
your hands.

In Nicholas County, W. Va., no member of the clergy is allowed to tell
jokes or humorous stories from the pulpit during a church service.

In California, animals are banned from mating publicly within 1,500 feet of
a tavern, school, or place of worship.

In Los Angeles, a man is legally entitled to beat his wife with a leather
belt or strap, but the belt can't be wider than 2 inches, unless he has his
wife's consent to beat her with a wider strap.

In Kentucky, "No female shall appear in a bathing suit on any highway
within this state unless she be escorted by at least two officers or unless
she be armed with a club"

An amendment to the above legislation: "The provisions of this statuate
shall not apply to females weighing less than 90 pounds nor exceeding 200
pounds, nor shall it apply to female horses."
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In Grand Haven, Michigan, no person shall throw an abandoned hoop skirt
into any street or on any sidewalk, under penalty of a five- dollar fine
for each offense.

In Russell, Kansas, it is against the law to have a musical car horn.

A Glendale, California, ordinance permits horror films to be shown only on
Mondays, Tuesdays, or Wednesdays.

Cicero, Illinois, prohibits humming on public streets on Sundays.

Hunting with a rifle is permitted in Norfolk County, Virgina - provided
that the hunter is fifteen feet off the ground.

You may water your lawn on Staten Island, New York, provided that you hold
the hose in your hand while doing so; but to lay a hose on the lawn or to
use a sprinkler for watering your lawn is unlawful.

Clinton County, Ohio, calls for a fine for anyone caught leaning against a
public building.

Loins may not be taken to the theater in Maryland.

Abilene, Texas, makes it illegal to idle or loiter anyplace within the
corporate limits of the city for the purpose of flirting or mashing.
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From kralickr@interlynx.net Thu Feb 29 02:50:57 1996
Subject: funny laws

I'm not sure which jurisdiction in TX (I think it was Waco, but I can't be
sure):

It is illegal to walk around with a concealed ice cream cone.

Rich
Ontario, Canada
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From bholton@ix.netcom.com Thu Feb 29 21:17:25 1996
Subject: Stupid Laws

I just was wondering if you wouldn't mind a few more law additions to your
Stupid Laws file. IIRC these laws are still on the books.

In Carmel, CA, it is illegal to eat ice cream while standing on the side
walk.

In Prunedale, CA, it is illegal to have two indoor bathtubs in your house.
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