20 Absurd Laws You Would Never Believe Existed—and Still Exist—in the United States

In Mobile, Alabama, municipal regulations prohibit the sale, use, or even mere possession of plastic confetti or “streamers”—a surprisingly specific provision for a municipal ordinance. It’s easy to imagine the nightmare of cleaning up after a festival that led to this rule, and this ban remains in the municipal code to this day.

Historical records show that Connecticut residents were forbidden from walking backward after sunset. Yes, you read that right. This rule was intended to discourage suspicious behavior or deter potential criminals from covering their tracks. But don’t worry: you can now walk in any direction you like without fear of being stopped by a police officer.

In Little Rock, it’s illegal to honk your horn at places that serve cold drinks or sandwiches after 9 p.m. This rule is so unusual that you can’t help but smile when you read it. It’s the kind of law that seems completely made up—until you realize that a city actually decided it was necessary to put an end to the nighttime chaos caused by car horns outside sandwich shops.

California law stipulates that if a frog used in a frog-jumping contest dies, it must be disposed of and under no circumstances may it be eaten. This provision is absurd enough in and of itself, but it becomes even more so when one realizes that this is not a folk legend, but an actual legal provision tied to a very real local tradition. One would not expect a state law to provide for cooking frogs after the contest, and yet that is indeed the case.

In the past, railroad companies strictly prohibited card games and gambling on interstate trips; lawmakers believed that these activities led to arguments and disruptive behavior that disturbed the comfort of other passengers. Fortunately, you can now play a game of poker on your phone or with real cards without breaking the rules.

Florida law prohibits bars and other establishments licensed to serve alcohol from engaging in or permitting “dwarf tossing” (that is, throwing customers with dwarfism into the air), a phrase one would never expect to find in a statute. The fact that lawmakers felt the need to specify this probably speaks volumes about the nightlife in that state.

Although it may seem inconceivable given what the world has experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic, in the 19th and 20th centuries, several states had previously banned the wearing of masks or face coverings at public gatherings to prevent anonymous civil unrest. These rules often targeted specific groups, such as the Ku Klux Klan, which used disguises to intimidate others or evade the police. Most jurisdictions have since updated these codes to allow disguises at parties and festivals.

Idaho leaves no room for interpretation on this issue, as its criminal code explicitly classifies cannibalism as a criminal offense and even provides a defense for extreme survival situations; you face up to 14 years in prison if convicted. Most people probably thought it wasn’t necessary to pass a specific law on this matter, but Idaho chose clarity over ambiguity.

Illinois law makes it a criminal offense to possess salamanders worth more than $300, a provision that is both very specific and quite unexpected. People generally do not think of collecting amphibians as a gateway to criminal prosecution, but that is apparently the case in Illinois.

In Warsaw, Indiana, a city ordinance prohibits throwing snowballs across the street to prevent accidentally hitting pedestrians or vehicles that aren’t expecting them. This means that if you’re planning to have a snowball fight with your friends, you’ll have to stay on your side of the street. Of all the ways to regulate public safety, this one has a knack for seeming both bizarre and strangely understandable.

Iowa law stipulates that restaurants serving margarine must clearly display a notice or present it in a triangular shape so that customers can distinguish it from butter. There’s something amusing about the state insisting that fake butter have its own shape, but hey, at least customers won’t get it mixed up.

In Gainesville, Georgia, a local ordinance requires that fried chicken be eaten only with the fingers. Originally, this law was just a publicity stunt intended to promote the city’s poultry industry, but it remains a valid provision of the municipal code to this day. If you try to use a fork and knife, you may receive a friendly warning from a city official.

Massachusetts maintains a ban on traditional “happy hour” promotions, including limited-time price reductions on alcoholic beverages. This means that one of the oldest and most common bar promotions in the United States is still banned there. This measure is less absurd than some of the laws on this list, but it still surprises people when they learn that Boston won’t be offering half-price margaritas at 5 p.m.

Have you cheated on your partner? Well, if you live in Michigan, a law classifies adultery as a crime, punishable by up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine. In other words, you’d better stay faithful to the person you swore to love for the rest of your life—otherwise, Michigan might just send you to prison.

Do you have a half-eaten ice cream cone? Whatever you do, don’t put it in your pocket. In some cities in Alabama, it’s actually against the law. Apparently, this rule was established back when people traveled on horseback and was intended to prevent horse thieves from luring the animals without touching them directly.

In New Hampshire, it is illegal to collect seaweed—particularly kelp—on the shoreline at night, between sunset and sunrise. This is a level of regulatory precision that most people would never have imagined applying to seaweed. But once you realize that this rule exists, you begin to understand how many laws are actually just very old disputes over local resources.

New Jersey still prohibits self-service at the pump, which means that gas station attendants must fill up your tank for you. In fact, it is the only state in the United States to ban it. Visitors are often surprised by this rule, but this unique law is still in effect and is not expected to be repealed anytime soon.

Oklahoma law prohibits bear-baiting spectacles, as well as their promotion or participation in them. This is obviously good news for the bears, but it’s also one of those laws that immediately raises questions about the era that made it necessary. You don’t end up passing a law banning bear-baiting if no one had ever considered the practice a valid form of entertainment in the first place.

If you’re having a drink in North Carolina, forget about bingo; in fact, it’s illegal to sell, serve, or consume alcohol in any room where a game is being played. This regulation is intended to maintain a professional gaming atmosphere and prevent any disruptions caused by intoxication during the game. Don’t worry: you’ll be able to enjoy your favorite drink once the last game of the evening is over.

If you want to crack a joke, avoid doing so during Sunday Mass. Alabama lawmakers (yes, Alabama again) have passed a law banning the wearing of a fake mustache during a religious service for the purpose of making people laugh. This measure is, of course, intended to preserve the solemn nature of worship and prevent pranksters from causing a scene during the service.