What are the silly laws in New York City?
Asked by: Dr. Doris Grant | Last update: April 1, 2026Score: 4.4/5 (63 votes)
New York City has several quirky, often outdated "silly laws," including potential fines for illegally honking (since 1936), being fined for taking a selfie with a tiger, not being allowed to operate a puppet show in a window, a ban on selling colored baby chicks or rabbits, and an old ordinance that could fine men $25 for looking at women "in that way" (flirting). While some are rarely enforced, these laws highlight odd historical regulations that remain on the books.
What are some unusual laws in New York?
In New York, you can teach your pet parrot to speak, but not to squawk. In New York City it's illegal to shake a dust mop out a window. It is against the law to throw a ball at someone's head for fun. Jaywalking is legal, as long as it's not diagonal.
Why can't you wear slippers after 10pm in New York?
According to various sources, an old law supposedly bans wearing slippers in public after 10 p.m. Yep… your bedtime shoes were once considered a crime, at least on paper. Some say it was to keep rats away, others say it's just one of those delightfully weird laws that never got erased.
What is the most unusual law?
Some of the weirdest laws include Singapore's chewing gum ban, Arizona's donkey in a bathtub prohibition, Alabama's fake mustache in church restriction, Scotland's law requiring strangers to use your toilet, and Japan's mandatory waist measurements for citizens. Many strange laws, often outdated or specific to a town, involve animals (donkeys, moose, salmon), public behavior (no frowning in Milan, no singing in a swimsuit in Florida), or seemingly random prohibitions (no suspicious salmon handling in the UK, no selling eyeballs in Texas).
Can you flirt in New York?
Did you know that in New York, if a police officer catches you flirting, you can be fined $25?
Weirdest Laws In History That Actually Existed
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.
Is it safe to be out in New York at night?
NYC Nightlife Party Safety Tips. New York City is one of the safest large cities in the United States and ensuring public safety is a top priority. Having a safe nightlife community is important to maintain New York City's vibrant nightlife culture and economy attracting visitors from all over the world.
What are silly laws called?
Strange laws, also called weird laws, dumb laws, futile laws, unusual laws, unnecessary laws, legal oddities, or legal curiosities, are laws that are perceived to be useless, humorous or obsolete, or are no longer applicable (in regard to current culture or modern law).
What are blue laws?
Blue law is a colloquial term for state statute or ordinance that forbids or regulates entertainment and commercial activities (ex. sale of liquor) on Sundays or religious holidays. Blue laws can also be referred to as Sunday closing laws, Sabbath laws, and uniform day of rest laws.
Where is it illegal to wear cowboy boots?
In Blythe, you are not permitted to wear cowboy boots unless you already own at least two cows.
What is the 4 hour rule in NY?
The NYS 4-hour rule generally requires employers to pay non-exempt employees for at least four hours at minimum wage if they report to work but are sent home or given less than four hours of work, with some exceptions for hospitality and situations where the regular shift is less than four hours. This "call-in pay" ensures compensation for showing up, even if no work is performed, but it doesn't apply to paid sick leave increments, which have separate rules.
What to wear in New York to not look like a tourist?
To avoid looking like a tourist in NYC, wear stylish, comfortable layers, prioritize well-fitting clothes (avoid overly slim fits), lean towards darker/neutral colors (especially black), wear quality sneakers or boots, and accessorize minimally but thoughtfully; ditch the fanny packs, large logos, and bright tourist gear for a more local, "effortlessly chic" vibe.
Is it illegal to walk around with an ice cream cone in your pocket?
Throughout Alabama, it's illegal for a person to walk down the street with an ice cream cone in their back pocket. Back when most people got around on horseback, horse thieves would put ice cream in their pocket to lure horses away without being charged with stealing.
Why is it illegal to whistle underwater?
No Whistling Underwater (Vermont, USA): In Vermont, it's illegal to whistle underwater. This quirky law might stem from old superstitions about disturbing water spirits or attracting bad luck. The law prohibiting whistling underwater in Vermont is indeed a peculiar one.
What is the New York Town law 63?
Presiding officer and rules of procedure. The supervisor, when present, shall preside at the meetings of the town board. In the absence of the supervisor, the other members shall designate one of their members to act as temporary chairman.
What is the slipper law in New York State?
That law is the slipper curfew. That's right, New York has a slipper curfew which restricts residents of the Empire State from wearing slippers after 10 pm in public establishments.
What is the Sunday law?
Blue laws (also known as Sunday laws, Sunday trade laws, and Sunday closing laws) are laws restricting or banning certain activities on specified days, usually Sundays in the western world. The laws were adopted originally for religious reasons, specifically to promote the observance of the Christian day of worship.
Why can't NJ sell clothes on Sunday?
You can't buy clothes on Sunday in some parts of New Jersey, particularly Bergen County, due to old "blue laws" (NJSA 2A:171-5.8) that prohibit selling certain items like clothing, furniture, and appliances on Sundays, originally rooted in religious observance but now often defended for reducing traffic and providing a day of rest, though enforcement is debated, especially with major malls.
Why can't you buy beer on Sunday?
The restrictions on Sunday alcohol sales, often referred to as "Blue Laws," originated in colonial America. These laws were designed to encourage religious observance and maintain a day of rest by limiting the sale of alcoholic beverages, including beer, wine and liquor, along with other commercial activities.
What's the most broken law?
The 5 Most Frequently Broken Laws
- Underage Drinking. According to SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions), about 26% of the under-21 crowd uses alcohol at least once a month. ...
- Littering. ...
- Smoking Marijuana. ...
- Jaywalking. ...
- Pirating music.
What is the weird ice cream law?
It's illegal to walk down the street with an ice cream cone in your back pocket in Alabama—a quirky law that dates back to horse-thieving days. Sneaky riders once used the trick to lure horses away without technically "stealing" them.
What is illegal but not criminal?
An act can be illegal (forbidden by law) but not a crime if it's a civil infraction or regulatory violation, meaning it's handled with citations, fines, or other non-custodial penalties, rather than criminal charges (like misdemeanors or felonies) that could lead to jail time, with examples including traffic offenses (speeding, jaywalking), copyright infringement (downloading music), or violating school/business policies like taking a cell phone during class.
Is $1000 enough for 4 days in New York?
Yes, $1000 can be enough for 4 days in NYC, but it's a tight budget that requires smart choices, focusing on free activities, subway travel, and affordable food like bodega meals, unless it includes accommodation, in which case it's very difficult and might only cover cheap hostels. For a comfortable trip with attractions and decent dining, $1000 excluding hotel might work, but adding lodging makes it very challenging, requiring saving on transport (no Ubers) and eating cheap.
What is the 20 hour rule in New York?
The "20-hour rule in NY" refers to New York's Paid Prenatal Leave law, effective January 1, 2025, requiring all private employers to provide 20 hours of paid time off annually for pregnant employees for prenatal care, separate from sick leave, covering appointments like exams, tests, and fertility care, and available to all employees, part-time or full-time, with no waiting period.
Is NYC safe for a solo female?
It was awesome! New York is perfect for a solo trip for a woman. Public transportation is well-developed, and it's relatively safe. I played until almost 10 PM every night before taking the subway back to my apartment. Of course, you still need to observe your surroundings to determine if it's safe.