procedural guides

SmartRules Investigates Strange Laws

 

Given the number of bizarre laws we read about on the internet, SmartRules decided it was time to investigate.  Although we have not been able to confirm that smoking underwater is actually prohibited in Minnesota, we have found that the following are real laws and ordinances:

 

One must obtain a permit to wear high heels in Carmel, California

Because of the “urban forest nature” of this iconic California town, residents and visitors alike are required to obtain a permit from City Hall before wearing shoes with heals taller than 2”.1  The good news:  permits are free.2

 

It is illegal not to smile in public in Pocatello, Idaho

The “Smile Ordinance” was passed in Pocatello in 1848.  After an exceptionally harsh winter the mayor responded by adding some humor to the city code the following spring.   While the ordinance is no longer in effect, the penalty for frowning in public was simply to remit a “sufficient number of smiles and/or broad grins as are commensurate with his or her offense”.3

 

Florida accidentally made computers illegal

In an attempt to ban internet cafés and online gambling, Florida lawmakers accidentally banned all computer devices by making illegal any machine or device by which someone can play a game of chance.4

 

Exploiting bears is illegal in Alabama

It seems that bear wrestling was a popular form of entertainment in Alabama, so much so that legislation was enacted to protect the bears.5

 

One cannot live in a moving house trailer in Alaska

Yes, it is Illegal to occupy a house trailer while it is being moved on a public street in the state of Alaska.6

 

It is legal to insult, taunt, or challenge a police officer in Boulder, Colorado.

According to the Boulder Revised Code you may in fact insult, taunt or challenge a police officer unless they ask you to stop doing so.7

  

In Rehoboth Beach, Delaware trick-or-treating is illegal on Sundays.

If Halloween falls on a Sunday, Rehoboth Beach city ordinance mandates that children trick-or-treat on Saturday.8

 

Other Laws and Codes

It is illegal to change your clothes inside your car in the town of Fenwick Island, Delaware.9

Under 21s can drink alcohol in the state of Illinois if they are enrolled in a culinary arts program.10

You must have a permit to catch a fish with your hands in Indiana.11

Stealing an alligator in Louisiana carries a penalty of up to two years hard labor.12

 

Sources:


  1. http://www.codepublishing.com/CA/Carmelbythesea/html/Carmel08/Carmel0844.html#8.44 

  2. http://www.carmelresidents.org/pdf/CarmelFromAToZ.pdf 

  3. http://www.pocatello.us/main/smile_pocatello.htm 

  4. http://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2013/0155/BillText/er/PDF 

  5. http://www.legislature.state.al.us/CodeofAlabama/1975/13A-12-5.htm 

  6. http://www.muni.org/Departments/works/traffic/Title9Rewrite/9.36.pdf 

  7. http://www.colocode.com/boulder2/chapter5-3.htm#section5_3_6 

  8. http://ecode360.com/7274490 

  9. http://ecode360.com/8868833 

  10. http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/fulltext.asp?GAID=11&SessionID=84&GA=97&DocTypeID=SB&DocNum=758&LegID=&SpecSess=&Session= 

  11. http://www.in.gov/legislative/ic/code/title14/ar22/ch9.html 

  12. http://www.legis.state.la.us/lss/lss.asp?doc=78610