How Weird Is The State You Live In?
Let’s face it, the United States is a weird place. Thanks to some pretty outlandish laws, still in existence this very day, states are letting their freak flags fly one idiosyncratic rule at a time. We’ve ranked all 50 states, from least ridiculous to the most surreal state in existence based on their laws. Where does your home state land on our list?
50. Arizona
It is unlawful to refuse a person a glass of water. Makes sense, considering it is hot as you-know-what in Arizona.
49. Colorado
It is illegal to ride a horse while under the influence. Let’s face it, boozing and bucking just don’t mix.
48. Arkansas
It is strictly prohibited to pronounce “Arkansas” incorrectly. An odd law, yes, although it seems somewhat understandable. How annoying to hear “Ar-Kansas” all the time.
47. Maine
After January 14th, you will be charged a fine for having Christmas decorations still up. Now this is a law we can actually get behind. Take down your ornaments, slackers!
46. Louisiana
“Fake” wrestling matches are prohibited. Sorry, WWE. Take the cage matches and table slamming somewhere else.
45. Mississippi
A man may not secure a woman by lying, and claiming he’ll marry her. Well, that’s just good manners.
44. Nevada
It is illegal to drive a camel on the highway. Understandable. Just think of the potential traffic jam.
43. New Mexico
Idiots may not vote. No, really. It’s the law. Unfortunately it isn’t enforced as often as some would like.
42. Rhode Island
One must make a loud noise before passing a car on the left. We’re pretty sure they just call this road rage.
41. California
No vehicle without a driver may exceed 60 miles per hour. This really explains the whole “LA drivers are the worst drivers in the country” thing.
40. Massachusetts
It is illegal to give beer to hospital patients. Now that just sounds like good medicine.
39. Kansas
If two trains meet one the same track, neither shall proceed until the other has passed. Paradox junkies, have fun with that one.
38. Kentucky
One may not dye a duckling blue and offer it for sale unless more than six are for sale at once. Misery loves company, remember?
37. Maryland
It is a park rule violation to be in a public park with a sleeveless shirt. Sorry bros.
Also, it’s illegal to take a lion to the movies. Bummer.
36. New Jersey
It is against the law to “frown” at a police officer. Brows must not be furrowed in the presence of New Jersey law enforcement.
35. Missouri
Single men between the ages of twenty one and fifty must pay an annual tax of one dollar. Hurry up and get hitched kiddos, or it’ll cost ya!
34. North Carolina
It is against the law to sing off key. Take that Rebecca Black!
33. New York
The penalty for jumping off a building is death. Assuming jumping off a building doesn’t cause your own death…
Also, while riding in an elevator, one must talk to noone, and fold his or her hands while looking toward the door. So basically, just ride an elevator like you normally would if your smart phone’s battery has died.
32. Wisconsin
It is illegal to serve apple pie in public restaurants without cheese. You know, just in case you were wondering how much this state loves its cheese.
Also, livestock have the right-of-way on public roads. We’re assuming they’re mostly talking about cows, so that they can hurry up and produce more cheese.
31. Wyoming
It is illegal to wear a hat that obstructs people’s view in a public theater or place of amusement. We’re just wondering why this law isn’t enforced country-wide.
30. Texas
A recently passed anti-crime law requires criminals to give their victims 24 hours notice, either orally or in writing, and to explain the nature of the crime to be committed. Because we all know criminals love to follow the rules…
29. South Carolina
One must obtain a permit to fire a missile in South Carolina. Which state department is in charge of issuing those?
28. Oregon
It’s illegal to eat ice cream on Sundays in Oregon. What kind of a horrible place would ban ice cream?
27. South Dakota
It is illegal to lie down and fall asleep in a cheese factory. After all, imagine what would happen if Wisconsin runs out of cheese and South Dakotans are sleeping on the job!
26. Vermont
Women must obtain written permission from their husbands to wear false teeth. Because…no one likes a liar?
25. Ohio
It is illegal to get a fish drunk. It’s impressive, but illegal.
24. North Dakota
It is illegal to lie down and fall asleep with your shoes on, which is the only justifiable reason a person can take their shoes off while sleeping on cross-country airplane flights.
23. New Hampshire
On Sundays, citizens may not relieve themselves while looking up. So boys, just close your eyes. Otherwise, certain urinal situations could get really awkward.
22. Hawaii
Coins are not allowed to be placed in one’s ears. Also, you may only have one alcoholic drink in front of you at a time. We’re assuming it’s because that leads to putting a coin in your ear.
21. Oklahoma
It is illegal for the owner of a bar to allow anyone inside to pretend to have sex with a buffalo. The floor debate over this law must have been one for the ages. Were witnesses called? Did anyone vote against this law>
20. Montana
It is illegal to have a sheep in the cab of your truck without a chaperone, but there’s no law forbidding cows from riding in your car!
19. Michigan
A woman isn’t allowed to cut her own hair without her husband’s permission. We’re assuming it’s so he actually notices the fact that she cut her hair.
18. Idaho
It is illegal for a man to give his sweetheart a box of candy weighing less than fifty pounds. And here we thought Ohio was for lovers.
Also, riding a merry-go-round on Sundays is considered a crime.
17. Tennessee
It is illegal to use a lasso to catch a fish. Honestly, no one likes a show off.
16. Delaware
It is illegal to fly over any body of water, unless one is carrying sufficient supplies of food and drink. Better safe than sorry?
15. Pennsylvania
You may not sing in the bathtub. Now, how the state plans on enforcing such a law is an entirely different discussion…
Also, it is illegal to sleep on top of a refrigerator outdoors. Because apparently that’s a thing now?
14. Iowa
Kisses may last for no more than five minutes. Also, a man with a mustache may never kiss a woman in public. Sorry hipsters. Iowa just isn’t for you.
13. Indiana
It is illegal for a man to be sexually aroused in public. Are there arousal enforcement officers issuing citations for that?
12. Illinois
You may be arrested for vagrancy if you do not have at least one dollar bill on your person. It’s a good thing we aren’t in some sort of technological age, with credit and debit cards or anything.
11. Florida
Doors of all public buildings must open outwards. At least this helps combat any confusion and potential embarrassing situations.
10. Georgia
Also, donkeys may not be kept in bathtubs. No laws about the shower though.
9. Minnesota
A person may not cross state lines with a duck atop his head. Also, citizens may not enter Wisconsin with a chicken on their head. What is going on with Minnesota residents and their obsessive need to put poultry atop their noggins?
8. West Virginia
Roadkill may be taken home for supper. Also, whistling underwater is prohibited, but impressive.
7. Connecticut
You can be stopped by the police for biking over 65 miles per hour. Hopefully so they can give you a pat on the back and an impressed “job well done”, you Lance Armstrong-wannabe you.
Another odd law: in order for a pickle to officially be considered a pickle, it must bounce. Huh?
6. Nebraska
It is illegal for bar owners to sell beer unless they are simultaneously brewing a kettle of soup. No one should be denied the glorious combination of Budweiser and Campbells, apparently.
5. Alaska
It is considered an offense to push a live moose out of a moving airplane. What if it’s wearing a parachute?
4. Alabama
Bear wrestling matches are prohibited.
Also, it is illegal to wear a fake mustache that causes laughter in church.
Lastly, boogers may not be flicked into the wind. That’s just gross.
3. Washington
The harassing of Bigfoot, Sasquatch or other undiscovered subspecies is a felony punishable by a fine and/or imprisonment. Be nice to those cryptids people!
No person may walk about in public if he or she has the common cold. Feel free to use this law when explaining multiple absences to your boss.
X-rays may not be used to fit shoes. Huh?
A law to reduce crime states: “It is mandatory for a motorist with criminal intentions to stop at the city limits and telephone the chief of police as he is entering the town.” You know, common courtesy and things.
2. Utah
It is illegal not to drink milk. Lactose intolerant? Too bad, so sad.
No one may have sex in the back of an ambulance if it is responding to an emergency call. If it’s just sitting unused though, have at it.
It is illegal to detonate any nuclear weapon. So point those missiles at Colorado, Russia.
Lastly, alcohol may not be sold during an emergency. Find some other way to cope, boys and girls.
1. Virginia
It is illegal to tickle women. FINALLY!
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Estately is a national online real estate search site whose articles have been featured in the The Wall Street Journal, CNET, San Francisco Chronicle, Houston Chronicle, NBC News, Philadelphia Magazine, GeekWire, The Denver Post, and more.
