Rules to Live By And Laugh At: Top 10 Wacky City By-Laws

Presumably, since municipal by-laws are approved by a vote of council, they all made sense to someone at some time. Nevertheless, in city halls across the country, regulatory insanity abounds. Herewith, the National Post's top ten wacky by-laws:

According to a 1996 by-law, it is explicitly forbidden to make or store a nuclear weapon, under pain of a $300 fine for a first offence, $500 for a second, and up to $1,000 for subsequent violations. This penalty scheme is identical to that for home owners who allow weeds to grow in their yards.

"A person who is operating a bicycle on a pathway shall be in control of the movement of the bicycle."

"No person shall, while in a park, release ten (10) or more balloons inflated with lighter-than-air gases within a twenty-four-hour period."

Drivers of the city's horse-drawn carriages must be "of good moral character," and they must not use "rude language." Further, they must always button their shirts, which must have sleeves, all the way up to the neck. (The penalties here are identical to those relating to nuclear weapons offences.)

Advertising in cemeteries here carries a $50 fine, and people who hand out business cards can be fined up to $2,000.

"Impounded milk cows shall be milked as may be necessary and the Poundkeeper may keep the milk for his own use."

Pawnbrokers are required by law to record the "style of dress" of anyone who pawns an item with them.

"No person shall hold or participate in an endurance contest in walking, dancing or a similar activity."

All cats who leave the property of their owners must do so on a leash shorter than six feet.

So glad we don't have any laws like Canada...thank goodness.

Silly Laws

Arkansas
The Arkansas legislature passed a law that states that the Arkansas River can rise no higher than to the Main Street bridge in Little Rock.
California
In 1930, the City Council of Ontario passed an ordinance forbidding roosters to crow within the city limits.
In Los Angeles, you cannot bathe two babies in the same tub at the same time.
It is illegal to drive more than two thousand sheep down Hollywood Boulevard at one time.
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.
Colorado
In Denver it is unlawful to lend your vacuum cleaner to your next-door neighbor.
Connecticut
In Devon, Connecticut, it is unlawful to walk backwards after sunset.
In Hartford, Conn., you aren't allowed to cross a street while walking on your hands.
England
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!
Florida
In Miami, it's illegal for men to be seen publicly in any kind of strapless gown.
Georgia
It is illegal to say "Oh, Boy" in Jonesboro, Georgia.
Idaho
Idaho state law makes it illegal for a man to give his sweetheart a box of candy weighing less than fifty pounds.
In Pocatello, Idaho, a law passed in 1912 provided that "The carrying of concealed weapons is forbidden, unless same are exhibited to public view."
Illinois
It is against the law for a monster to enter the corporate limits of Urbana, Illinois.
Kirkland, Illinois, law forbids bees to fly over the village or through any of its streets.
In Zion, Ill., it is illegal for anyone to give lighted cigars to dogs, cats, and other domesticated animals kept as pets.
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.
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.
Iowa
Horses are forbidden to eat fire hydrants in Marshalltown, Iowa.
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 unaquainted."
Kansas
Kansas state law requires pedestrians crossing the highways at night to wear tail lights.
No one may catch fish with his bare hands in Kansas.
Kentucky
Frankfort, Kentucky, makes it against the law to shoot off a policeman's tie.
In Lexington, Kentucky, it's illegal to carry an ice cream cone in your pocket.
A Kentucky statute says: "No female shall appear in a bathing suit on any highway within this state unless she is escorted by at least two officers or unless she be armed with a club." Later, an amendment proposed: "The provisions of this statute shall not apply to any female weighing less than sixty pounds nor exceeding 200 pounds; nor shall it apply to female horses."
Massachusetts
There is a Massachusetts law requiring all dogs to have their hind legs tied during the month of April.
It is illegal to take more than 2 baths a month within Boston confines.
Michigan
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 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 Michigan, a woman isn't allowed to cut her own hair without her husband's permission.
Missouri
Minors in Kansas City, Missouri, are not allowed to purchase cap pistols; they may buy shotguns freely, however.
In St. Louis, it's illegal to sit on the curb of any city street and drink beer from a bucket.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire law forbids you to tap your feet, nod your head, or in any way keep time to the music in a tavern, restaurant, or cafe.
New Mexico
In Carrizozo, N.M., it's forbidden for a female to appear unshaven in public (includes legs and face).
New York
In Greene, New York, it is illegal to eat peanuts and walk backwards on the sidewalks when a concert is on.
In Carmel, N.Y., a man can't go outside while wearing a jacket and pants that do not match.
Ohio
In Ohio, if you ignore an orator on Decoration day to such an extent as to publicly play croquet or pitch horseshoes within one mile of the speaker's stand, you can be fined $25.00.
In Bexley, Ordinance number 223, of 09/09/19 prohibits the installation and usage of slot machines in outhouses.
In Oxford, Ohio, it's illegal for a woman to strip off her clothing while standing in front of a man's picture. (ed: ???)
Oklahoma
In Tulsa, Oklahoma, it is against the law to open a soda bottle without the supervision of a licensed engineer.
Harthahorne City Ordinance, Section 363, states that it shall be unlawful to put any hypnotized person in a display window.
Pennsylvania
The state law of Pennsylvania prohibits singing in the bathtub.
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:
"Automobiles travelling on country roads at night must send up a rocket every mile, then wait ten minutes for the road to clear."
"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."
"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."
In Pennsylvania, "any motorist driving along a country road at night must stop every mile and send up a rocket signal, wait 10 minutes for the road to be cleared of livestock, and continue."
Tennessee
In Memphis, Tennessee, it is illegal for a woman to drive a car unless there is a man either running or walking in front of it waving a red flag to warn approaching motorists and pedestrians.
In Tennessee, it is illegal to shoot any game other than whales from a moving automobile.
Texas
It is Texas law that when two trains meet each other at a railroad crossing, each shall come to a full stop, and neither shall proceed until the other has gone.
Texas law forbids anyone to have a pair of pliers in his possession.
Utah
It is against the law to fish from horseback.
Virginia
Virginia law forbids bathtubs in the house; tubs must be kept in the yard.
Washington
In Seattle, Washington, it is illegal to carry a concealed weapon that is over six feet in length.
It's illegal in Wilbur, Washington, to ride an ugly horse.
There is/was a law on the books in Washington state that stated that a motorcar driven at night must be preceded by something like 100 yards by a man carrying a lantern.
West Virginia
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.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.