Not everything in the rule book makes sense. Some laws belong in a comedy sketch. But nope—they’re real, and still active in some states. A few of these laws seem like someone might have lost a bet, while others were never rewritten (or cleared out). Here are 15 of the strangest, one from each state. After this, you’ll probably want to look up your own.
Hawaii – Keep the Coins Out of Your Ears
Hawaii passed a law in 1900 that banned placing coins in one’s ears. The law stemmed from a performer doing coin illusions, and lawmakers thought the public could be misled. The concern wasn’t about hygiene or safety but deceptive practices. The rule is still technically active. You probably won’t see it enforced, but it’s real.
South Dakota – No Sleeping in Cheese Factories
In South Dakota, you can make cheese, package cheese, and probably eat all the cheese you want—but you can’t sleep in the factory. The law bans anyone from dozing off inside a cheese production facility. There’s no clear explanation on record. Maybe it was about hygiene, or maybe someone took too many breaks. Whatever the reason, the law still stands.
Montana – Rats Are Not Legal Gifts
Montana doesn’t allow rats to be given as gifts, regardless of the reason. The rule applies to live rats, not toys or novelties. It was written to prevent unmonitored rodent trade and spread. Even small pet rats fall under the restriction. Giving one to a friend—even as a joke—counts as an unpermitted transfer. The state tracks the rules through wildlife authorities.
Kentucky – Marry Him Once, Maybe Twice, but Not Four Times
In Kentucky, the law limits how often you can legally marry the same man. Three’s the maximum. After that, you can’t get a marriage certificate. The rule doesn’t block future marriages to someone else—just the repeated remarriage of the same pair. It was designed to prevent a pattern of divorcing and remarrying on repeat. Although this law isn’t commonly enforced today, it remains valid.
Iowa – Calling Margarine “Butter” Is a Criminal Offense
Calling margarine “butter” in Iowa isn’t just wrong—it’s a criminal offense. The state law requires any butter label to refer only to real dairy products made from milk fat. Margarine and other substitutes can’t use the word, even in advertising. The regulation is rooted in the dairy industry’s early food protection efforts. The goal was to prevent confusion and protect product identity.
New York – Flirting Can Get You Fined
In New York, flirting in public could lead to a fine. The law was written in 1902 to discourage “acts of ogling” or unsolicited attention in public places. It was a broader push around public behavior, especially in cities. It allowed police to fine people for what they called “amorous glances.” Though it’s not enforced now, the statute was never repealed.
Louisiana – Surprise Pizza = Harassment
In Louisiana, ordering pizza for someone who didn’t ask for it is considered criminal harassment. The law focuses on false delivery orders that annoy, prank, or overwhelm someone’s home. It falls under criminal statutes involving telecommunications misuse and personal disturbance. The issue isn’t the food but the intent behind sending it. This includes single orders or a series of them.
West Virginia – No Whistling Underwater
A West Virginian law bans whistling underwater. No explanation, no background—just the rule. It’s unclear who tried, or how anyone would even prove it happened. There’s no record of it being enforced, but it’s still listed. It likely started as a joke or slipped into local code without much attention. Trying to whistle while submerged doesn’t exactly work, anyway.
Kansas – No Singing the Alphabet at Night in Topeka
Singing the alphabet at night is technically illegal in Topeka. It’s oddly specific and only applies to the ABC song, not music overall. Maybe someone got fed up with late-night practice sessions, or was part of a broader noise complaint. It’s not actively enforced, and no backstory explains how it became a law. It seems more symbolic than practical now, but hasn’t been removed.
New Hampshire – No Seaweed Collecting at Night
New Hampshire law makes it illegal to gather seaweed at night. The rule was introduced in 1973 after some shoreline disputes and complaints from property owners. Seaweed was useful—fertilizer, mulch, animal bedding—so it had real value. That led to quiet late-night collecting, which didn’t sit well with everyone. The rule still applies today, though it’s rarely enforced unless someone complains or causes damage.
North Dakota – Sleeping with Shoes On Is a No-Go
According to North Dakota law, sleeping with your shoes on is illegal. The law doesn’t say why or where this applies, and there’s no known case related to it. The rule has been passed around online and still appears in legal oddities lists. It might trace back to older codes in shared housing or jails, but nothing official explains it.
Alaska – No Flamingos at the Barbershop
Alaska has a law that bans flamingos from barbershops. Not goats, not cats—just flamingos. It doesn’t say if it’s about safety, sanitation, or someone causing a scene. No background has been linked to the rule, but it’s been floating around in legal references for years. It’s one of those oddly specific laws that make you wonder what incident led to it.
Arizona – The Bathtub Ban on Donkeys
Arizona passed a law banning donkeys from sleeping in bathtubs after a 1920s flood. A donkey had wandered into a tub on a ranch and stayed there regularly. Heavy rain occurred, and the tub and donkey floated away, triggering a time-consuming rescue. Lawmakers subsequently banned the setup. You can have a donkey, you can have a bathtub—just don’t let the two mix.
North Carolina – Bingo Games Can’t Last More Than 5 Hours
North Carolina limits bingo nights to five hours, start to finish. Once the timer hits five, organizers must stop—there are no bonus rounds, and no sneaking in a final card. The rule was implemented as part of the state’s gambling regulations, mainly targeting fundraising events. Officials wanted to keep the games light and short. Technically, anything longer shifts into illegal gambling territory under state law.
Arkansas – Say It Right or Risk a Fine
Arkansas passed a law saying you must pronounce the state’s name correctly. It’s not “Ar-Kansas.” It’s “Arkansaw.” It came from arguments over how to say it properly, especially because of the spelling. The law included a possible fine for public mispronunciation, though it’s never actually enforced anymore. If you’re visiting or speaking publicly, just don’t pronounce it like Kansas with an “Ar” in front.
