Weird Laws in Georgia
List of strange state laws on the books in Georgia. These rules and regulations were passed by the Georgia state legislature, or in an individual in Georgia city, and for one reason or another, were never overturned, remaining active on the books until this day. Almost every city and state has some outdated, old-fashioned or even nonsensical laws on the books, and they can come about for a variety of reasons. Most frequently, the laws appeared in the books following a court ruling on a specific case, that then set a common law precedent from that point on.
Strange or unnecessary laws have become a popular source for humor, online and more generally in popular culture. TV shows like "The Simpsons" have had a lot of fun with the notion of small towns having peculiar regulations on the books. (In one episode, Mayor Quimby is surprised to find out the town charter mandates that all ducks wear long pants.)
Often, "dumb laws" as reported on websites and in humor books have been shown to be inaccurate. This sometimes happens because a real, sensible law has been exaggerated or misunderstood, turning into something that sounds silly or ridiculous. Other times, it is simply the result of a hoax being repeated enough times to gain some kind of credibility. If you think any of the laws on this page are not accurate or do not remain active in Georgia, let me know in the comments below.
Strange or unnecessary laws have become a popular source for humor, online and more generally in popular culture. TV shows like "The Simpsons" have had a lot of fun with the notion of small towns having peculiar regulations on the books. (In one episode, Mayor Quimby is surprised to find out the town charter mandates that all ducks wear long pants.)
Often, "dumb laws" as reported on websites and in humor books have been shown to be inaccurate. This sometimes happens because a real, sensible law has been exaggerated or misunderstood, turning into something that sounds silly or ridiculous. Other times, it is simply the result of a hoax being repeated enough times to gain some kind of credibility. If you think any of the laws on this page are not accurate or do not remain active in Georgia, let me know in the comments below.
- 1Up 12Down 1
Donkey in bathtubs
“ Donkeys may not be kept in bathtubs. „ - 2Up 11Down 1
Rake
“ All citizens must own a rake. (Acworth) „ - 3Up 9Down 0
Teasing an idiot
“ No one may tease an idiot. (Columbus) „ - 4Up 10Down 2
Illegal selling of beers
“ It is illegal to sell two beers are once for a single price. For example, a bar can’t run a 2 Bud Lights for $5 special. (Athens-Clarke County) „ - 5Up 9Down 1
Indians
“ All Indians must return to their shore of the Chattohoochee River by nightfall. (Columbus) „ - 6Up 7Down 0
Sadomasochistic abuse
“ The term “sadomasochistic abuse” is defined so broadly, that it could possibly be applied to a person handcuffing another in a clown suit. „ - 7Up 8Down 1
Sex toys
“ All sex toys are banned. „ - 8Up 8Down 2
Playing Pinball
“ Persons under the age of 16 may not play pinball after 11:00 PM. (Athens-Clarke County) „ - 9Up 7Down 1
Wearing hoods
“ Persons may not wear hoods in public. (Dublin) „ - 10Up 7Down 3
Person buried
“ No person may be buried under a sidewalk of a cemetery. (Columbus) „ - 11Up 5Down 1
Profanity
“ It is illegal to use profanity in front of a dead body which lies in a funeral home or in a coroners office. „ - 12Up 3Down 0
Oh Boy
“ It is illegal to say “Oh, Boy. (Jones Boro) „ - 13Up 7Down 4
Swimming in a pond
“ To swim in any pond in the city, one must wear a ‘suitable bathing suit’. (Columbus) „ - 14Up 6Down 3
Ice cream cone
“ No one may carry an ice cream cone in their back pocket if it is Sunday. „ - 15Up 5Down 3
Carving your initials
“ It is illegal to carve your initials on a tree, even if it is on your own property. (Columbus) „ - 16Up 6Down 3
Peanut Products
“ At Nickajack Elementary School, all peanut products are banned, even peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. (Cobb County) „ - 17Up 5Down 2
Living on a boat
“ You cannot live on a boat for more than 30 days during the calendar year, even if just passing through the state. „ - 18Up 3Down 0
Eating chicken
“ Chicken must be eaten with the hands. (Gainesville) „ - 19Up 3Down 2
Reading your favorite book
“ If you want to read your favorite book in public to your friends, do it before 2:45 AM. (Athens-Clarke County) „ - 20Up 2Down 2
Massage businesses
“ Massage businesses may not sell alcohol on the side. (Athens-Clarke County) „ - 21Up 1Down 1
Model airplanes
“ Model airplanes may be flown so long as they stay on either private property or city property adjacent to the county morgue. (Columbus) „ - 22Up 1Down 1
Whistling loud
“ On Mondays, it is illegal for one to whistle very loud after 11:00 PM. (Athens-Clarke County) „ - 23Up 2Down 3
Adult bookstores
“ Adult bookstores may not sell alcohol. (Athens-Clarke County) „ - 24Up 1Down 2
Chicken’s head
“ Can’t cut off a chicken’s head on Sunday. (Columbus) „ - 25Up 0Down 2
Selling corn flakes
“ It is illegal for stores to sell corn flakes on Sunday. (Columbus) „ - 26Up 1Down 2
Spitting
“ No spitting on the sidewalk is permitted after dark. (St. Mary's) „ - 27Up 0Down 2
Barber shops
“ Barber shops may not open on Sundays. (Columbus) „ - 28Up 0Down 2
Picnics
“ Picnics are prohibited in graveyards. (Columbus) „ - 29Up 0Down 2
Erotic dancing
“ Erotic dancing is prohibited on Sundays. (Roswell) „ - 30Up 0Down 2
Tattooing
“ No one may practice the business of tattooing on Sunday. (Columbus) „ -
Is this list missing something?
BE THE FIRST TO ADD AN ITEM
today on Ranker
start a list with results
close sorting window
Rank Name
use the search box to filter your list
leave a comment