In what state is it illegal to whistle?

Asked by: Domenica Zemlak  |  Last update: February 7, 2026
Score: 4.9/5 (8 votes)

While there isn't a blanket state law against all whistling, Vermont is famously cited for a quirky law making it illegal to whistle underwater, and West Virginia also appears in discussions about this strange statute, often listed among odd state laws, possibly originating from local ordinances or just humorous legal folklore.

In which US state is it illegal to whistle underwater?

No Whistling Underwater (Vermont, USA): In Vermont, it's illegal to whistle underwater.

In what state is it illegal to fall asleep with your shoes on?

It's famously said to be illegal to lie down and fall asleep with your shoes on in North Dakota, though this is often cited as an outdated, quirky law that isn't actively enforced, alongside other strange statutes like prohibiting beer and pretzels together or keeping elk in sandboxes.
 

In what state is it illegal to whistle for a lost canary before 7 am?

'In Berkeley, California, it is illegal to whistle for a lost canary before 7am'

Is it illegal in West Virginia to whistle underwater?

Whistling underwater is also illegal in West Virginia and Portland, Oregon.

Storm Whistle Underwater

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Why is collecting rainwater illegal?

The question of legality arises because, while this practice has obvious benefits, there are regulations in some states that either restrict or regulate rainwater collection. These laws are often based on water rights and concerns over how rainwater collection might impact the local watershed.

Is skip raiding illegal?

In most cases, taking something from a skip is not strictly illegal, but if the skip is located on private property, entering that space without permission could be considered trespassing.

Is it illegal to cuss in California?

California Penal Code 415 describes the crime of disturbing the peace, which covers a broad range of public disruptive behavior – such as loud arguments, loud noises, challenges to fight someone, and even offensive words that might provoke a violent and immediate reaction from another person.

Is it illegal to cry on the witness stand?

Originating out of Los Angeles, if you are on the witness stand, it is illegal to cry. The aim is to prevent you from emotionally manipulating the jury. Though it is rarely enforced, if you can, you might want to hold those tears back to avoid being held in contempt!

Is it illegal to bathe two babies at once?

In Los Angeles, bathing two babies in the same tub at the same time is prohibited.

What are the silly laws in Iowa?

Iowa: A man with a moustache may never kiss a woman in public. Horses are forbidden to eat fire hydrants in Marshalltown, Iowa. In Fort Madison the fire department is required to practice fire fighting for fifteen minutes before attending a fire.

What is the 3 shoe rule?

The "3-shoe rule" is a smart travel tip to pack only three versatile pairs of shoes: a comfort/walking shoe (sneakers, supportive sandals), a polished/day-to-night shoe (flats, loafers, block heels), and a weather-specific/activity shoe (boots, dressier sandals, water shoes) to save space, weight, and maximize outfit options for any trip. You wear the bulkiest pair while traveling and choose styles that mix and match with your clothes, often focusing on a neutral color palette.
 

Is it illegal to wear a hat while dancing in North Dakota?

In Fargo, North Dakota, it is illegal to dance with a hat on or even wear a hat to a function where dancing is taking place. Violation of the ban on hats while dancing is actually a criminal offense and could result in jail time.

Where can you not whistle?

A common superstition across the Appalachian Mountains is that you should never whistle at night. While this may seem like a peculiar rule to modern minds, it's believed that whistling invites evil spirits or bad luck into your home.

What are the top 5 laws in the US?

There's no single list of the "5 most important" laws, as importance varies, but key foundational laws often cited for impacting American life include the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (ending discrimination), the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (protecting suffrage), the First Amendment (part of the Bill of Rights) (guaranteeing fundamental freedoms like speech/religion), the Fourteenth Amendment (ensuring equal protection), and landmark environmental acts like the Clean Air Act. These laws address civil liberties, social equality, and environmental protection, shaping the nation's structure and daily life. 

Can I legally take food from dumpsters in Texas?

Dumpster Diving Laws in Texas

Generally, it's not illegal to take items from dumpsters if they are on public property and not locked or marked with “No Trespassing” signs. However, diving in dumpsters on private property can lead to charges of trespassing or theft.

What not to say to a judge in court?

You should not say anything sarcastic, interrupt the judge, lie, use slang, make personal attacks on others, guarantee outcomes, or speak about things not relevant to the case; instead, remain respectful, address the judge as "Your Honor," answer only the question asked, and be direct and truthful to maintain credibility. 

What is the hardest case to win in court?

The hardest cases to win in court often involve high emotional stakes, like crimes against children or sexual assault, where jurors struggle with bias; complex, voluminous evidence, such as white-collar fraud; and defenses that challenge societal norms, like an insanity plea, which faces high scrutiny and conflicting expert testimony. Cases with weak physical evidence, uncooperative witnesses (like in sex crimes), or those involving unpopular defendants (e.g., child abusers) are particularly challenging for defense attorneys.
 

Is spitting on the ground illegal in California?

It is unlawful for any person to spit or expectorate any secretion, saliva, or other substance in any place open to the public, upon any street, alleyway, walkway, gully, telephone booth, park or other public way, or in any parking lot to which the public has access, in or upon any premises, public property or vacant ...

What is the 7 minute rule in California?

The "California 7-Minute Rule" refers to a federal payroll rounding practice where employee work hours are rounded to the nearest quarter-hour (15 mins) for pay, legal under federal law if neutral, but increasingly scrutinized in California due to court rulings requiring payment for all time worked, like the Troester case, making strict application challenging and requiring employers to avoid systematic underpayment, even for short daily work periods. Essentially, punches within 7 minutes of a quarter-hour (e.g., 8:00-8:07) round down, while 8 minutes or more (e.g., 8:08) rounds up, but California courts demand this neutrality and compensation for all work, making employers wary. 

What does 415 mean in police code?

Police code 415 primarily refers to California Penal Code §415, which defines Disturbing the Peace, covering unlawful fighting, creating loud/unreasonable noise, or using offensive words likely to provoke violence in public, often resulting in misdemeanor charges with potential jail time and fines, though it can be reduced to an infraction. 

Is it illegal if my boyfriend is 18 and I'm 17?

A person under the age of 18 years cannot legally consent to sexual intercourse. The age of consent is the same for both males and females. Therefore, if you are 19 years old and have sex with a 17-year-old, you could be arrested for a sex crime. In most cases, the crime would be statutory rape.

Why was loitering made illegal?

Loitering is illegal because it's defined as lingering in a public place without a clear purpose, often seen as a precursor to other crimes like drug dealing, prostitution, or theft, and intended to maintain public order by deterring criminal or nuisance activities, though it has historically been used to target marginalized groups like the homeless. Laws target behavior that causes "justifiable alarm" or obstructs public use, allowing police to intervene when someone seems suspicious or prevents others from using a space freely.
 

Is it illegal to fill someone else's skip?

Your perpetrator may have believed that someone else's skip counts as a bin, but they couldn't be more wrong - it's illegal to use someone else's skip to get rid of your waste, and on paper, it's considered to be just as bad as throwing a mattress into the woods.

Can you call the cops on dumpster divers?

Yes, you can call the police on dumpster divers, especially if they are on your private property (like a locked dumpster behind a fence or near your building), as they may be trespassing or violating local ordinances, even if taking trash isn't always considered theft after it's discarded in public view. Police discretion plays a big role, but you can report trespassing, property damage (like broken locks), or littering, and they can issue warnings or citations.