It is illegal not to smile in public
In 1948, the Mayor of the City of Pocatello, George Phillips, passed an ordinance making it illegal not to smile in Pocatello. The “Smile Ordinance” was passed tongue in cheek as a result of an exceptionally severe winter, which had dampened the spirit of city employees and citizens alike.
The ordinance unintentionally remained on the books and was discovered by staff and later by a local reporter who wrote an article appearing in 1987 in the Idaho State Journal. The American Bankers Association chose our outdated ordinance to use in their national advertising campaign, emphasizing the theme of outdated laws to convince the United States Congress to modernize banking laws.
It is illegal to teach the English language without a permit and that permit says where you have to teach English
Massage Therapy is considered an adult, erotic service, and is banned in all zoning districts
You must pay a television tax whether or not you own a television
Finland’s television tax has been between €244.90 and €253.80 per annum with a household with a television.
However, in 2013 the tax will be applied on every adult, not just every household, and will be graduated according to your income. The tax will be between €50 and €140 per person.
The government assumes that even if you don’t have a television, you might watch one at a friend’s house.
Women cannot be employed to dance with men
No female shall be permitted to be employed in any dance hall for the purpose of dancing with male patrons of the dance hall.
No person shall stand in a roadway for the purpose of soliciting a ride from the driver of any vehicle
One may not whistle in the bathroom
No person shall stand or climb on any closet, closet seat, basin, partition, or other furniture or fitting; or loiter about, or push, crowd, or otherwise act in disorderly manner; or interfere with any attendant in the discharge of his or her duties; or whistle, dance, sing, skate, or swear, or use obscene, loud, and boisterous language within any public convenience station, or at or near the entrances of a public convenience station.
An establishment may not allow more than one accordion to be played for entertainment
No entertainment or music shall be provided or permitted for the enjoyment of the patrons of the establishment operated on public space by a permittee other than music as may be furnished by no more than three (3) musicians playing stringed instruments such as the violin, the viola, the cello, the double-base, and the guitar, and no more than one (1) accordion or concertina.
One may not operate a surf board while on a hallucinogen
No person shall operate or use any vessel, or use any water skis, aquaplane, surfboard, or similar device, while under the influence of alcohol, marijuana, or any narcotic drug, barbiturate, or hallucinogen.
One may not take photographs for more than 5 minutes in a public location
While engaged in taking photographs, no person licensed under §521 or §522 of this chapter shall impede traffic as defined in the District of Columbia Traffic Acts; nor shall any photographer remain longer than five (5) minutes at any one (1) location on the streets, sidewalks, or other public spaces.
Bridges must be clear of sheep between 6 and 10 am.
Sheep driven or conducted between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m., and when crossing a bridge, shall be in charge of at least six (6) drovers; and the footway and not less than one-third (1/3) of the roadway of the bridge shall be kept free of obstruction by the sheep.
One may not dance for more than twelve hours in any twenty four hour period
No person shall conduct or take part in any race, dance, or contest in which any individual shall participate for more than a total of twelve (12) hours in any consecutive twenty-four (24) hours.
Santa Claus may not be used to sell alcohol
Any statement, picture, or illustration referring to Easter, Holy Week, Mother’s Day, ‘Santa Claus,’ including names synonymous with “Santa Claus”, or a religious holiday or religious symbol, which promotes the sale, service, or consumption of alcoholic beverages shall be prohibited. Nothing in this section shall prohibit references to Christmas or any other holiday season if the references do not include statements, pictures, or illustrations on strictly religious themes.
No preaching, exhorting, or lecturing shall be conducted for a total of more than thirty days at any single location
Manure may not be deposited without a permit
No person who has removed manure from any bin or pit, or any other place where manure has been accumulated, shall deposit the manure in any place within any of the more densely populated parts of the District without a permit from the health officer authorizing him or her to do so, and then only in accordance with the terms of the authorizing permit.
Non-prescriptive sunglasses, hats, clothing that exposes armpits, a bare back or midriff, see-through clothing, and accessories with protruding metal spikes are not be worn in school
All horse drawn vehicles must have brakes
Each horse-drawn vehicle engaged in carrying loads on the streets and highways of the District shall be equipped with an effective brake.
A boat used as a restaurant cannot dock without prior approval of the Mayor
No vessel that is used, or is intended for use, as a show boat, restaurant, floating night club, or other place of amusement may anchor or operate in District of Columbia waters, or tie up to any wharf or other place in District of Columbia waters, without prior approval of the Mayor.
No boxing contest shall be conducted, and no contestant shall engage in a contest, between opposite sexes.
A product made with a pig’s leg or thigh and drumsticks of a turkey is a ham
In 1990 the House of Representatives came to this conclusion.
It is against the law to wear masks at parties, except during Carnaval celebrations or by obtaining a licence.
Watermelons are prohibited
A billboard ortography error is an R$500 fine
This is in Pouso Alegre, Minas Gerais and Guarujá, São Paulo.
For banners the fine is lower – R$100.