public

Strange Laws Still on the Books in the US

Benjamin1 Comment
2–3 minutes

Laughable Laws Still Technically Legal in the U.S.

Believe it or not, there are plenty of bizarre laws still sitting in state and local legal codes. Some are outdated, while others are downright absurd. Some rules originated to deal with bygone concerns. Others weren’t removed with the times. These rules range from amusing to downright perplexing.

A Few Noteworthy Oddities

  • No dog hair for sale in Delaware. If you collect your pet’s hair, and you try to sell it, you will face a hefty fine. The fine is up to $2,400. (1).
  • Do not whistle for your canary in Berkeley before 7 AM. Ornithophiles, beware. Making that whistle too early can land you in legal hot water. (2).
  • Cannibalism loophole in Idaho? — It sounds bizarre, but Idaho’s law specifies that non-consensual cannibalism is illegal. This implies that if someone consents, the law doesn’t technically apply (3).
  • Selling silly string in Meriden, Connecticut is regulated. It must be locked up in stores. Anyone under 18 can’t buy it (4).
  • Helium balloon limits also apply in Connecticut. You can earn a $75 fine. This fine is incurred by releasing more than 10 balloons in 24 hours. (5).
  • The “pickle must bounce” myth — This rule is touted as a real law. In reality, it is mostly an urban legend with no legal basis. (6).
  • Sink scrubbing is outlawed in Baltimore. Cleaning your sink is seen as pollution under local regulations. (7).
  • Saying goodbye to blue laws — In Bergen County, NJ, malls are shut on Sundays. This is due to strict retail blue laws. These laws are a holdover from colonial-era legislation (8).
  • Whaling ban in landlocked Utah — Yes, it was once illegal to hunt whales there—though that law was repealed (9).

Why They Still Exist

These odd laws often stem from cultural quirks or outdated public health concerns. Many are no longer enforced, existing more as quirky relics than current legal threats (10). But they serve as a humorous reminder: sometimes our legal system moves at a glacial pace.

About the Author:

Benjamin Groff is a former police officer and radio news anchor. He has hosted programs for CNN and ABC News affiliates in Colorado and Wyoming. His career in law enforcement began in 1980 and lasted more than two decades. This gave him first hand insight into the criminal mind and public safety. Moreover, it provided him with an understanding of the human stories that often go untold. His writing draws on these experiences, blending street-level truth with a journalist’s eye for the bigger picture.

By Benjamin GroffMedia© | benandsteve.com | 2025