Weird Laws in Oregon
List of strange state laws on the books in Oregon. These rules and regulations were passed by the Oregon state legislature, or in an individual Oregon 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 Almost every city and state has some outdated, old-fashioned or even nonsensical laws on the books, and they can come about for a variety of reasons.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 Oregon, 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 Oregon, let me know in the comments below.
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- 1Up 19Down 6
Dirty things
“ It is illegal to whisper “dirty” things in your lover’s ear during sex. „ - 2Up 15Down 4
Juggling
“ Juggling is strictly prohibited without a license. (Hood River) „ - 3Up 15Down 5
Pumping of gas
“ Drivers may not pump their own gas. „ - 4Up 14Down 5
Doughnuts
“ You cannot eat a doughnut and walk backwards on a city street. (Marion) „ - 5Up 15Down 6
Classical Artwork
“ An adult may not show a minor any piece of classical artwork which depicts sexual excitement. „ - 6Up 10Down 3
Roller Skates
“ You cannot wear roller skates in restrooms. (Portland) „ - 7Up 7Down 1
Movies and car show on Sunday
“ It is illegal to show movies or attend a car race on Sundays. (Eugene) „ - 8Up 8Down 2
Human feces
“ It is illegal to place a container filled with human fecal matter on the side of any highway. „ - 9Up 8Down 2
Babies
“ Babies may not be carried on the running boards of a car. „ - 10Up 11Down 5
Marijuana
“ It is illegal to buy or sell marijuana, but it is legal to smoke it on your own property. „ - 11Up 12Down 6
Physical endurance
“ One may not test their physical endurance while driving a car on a highway. „ - 12Up 7Down 2
Canned corn
“ Canned corn is not to be used as bait for fishing. „ - 13Up 11Down 6
Animals having sex
“ It is against the law for animals to have sex in the city limits. (Stanfield) „ - 14Up 5Down 2
Burglar Alarm
“ You must buy a $10 permit to be allowed to install a burglar alarm. (Beaverton) „ - 15Up 8Down 6
Peer Review Statute
“ The “Peer Review Statute” prohibits you from finding out details of any written or oral discussion about your medical treatment. „ - 16Up 3Down 1
Shoelaces
“ Shoelaces must be tied while walking down the street. (Portland) „ - 17Up 3Down 1
Predicting the future
“ It is illegal to predict the future. (Yamhill) „ - 18Up 3Down 2
Eating garlic and onions
“ Ministers are forbidden from eating garlic or onions before delivering a sermon. (Marion) „ - 19Up 2Down 1
Offensive physical contact
“ No one may attempt to cause someone to think that their property may be subjected to “offensive physical contact”. (Portland) „ - 20Up 2Down 1
Social games
“ Minors may not enter a room where a “social game” is being played. (Portland) „ - 21Up 2Down 1
Cloth towel dispenser
“ Cloth towel dispensers are banned from restrooms. (Stanfield) „ - 22Up 1Down 1
Riders of sleds
“ Riders of sleds may not attach themselves to passing cars.(Portland) „ - 23Up 1Down 1
Owning a reptile
“ It is illegal to own a reptile within the city limits, unless you are a school or city, as a pet. (Springfield) „ - 24Up 2Down 3
Knocking snakes head
“ It’s illegal to walk down a sidewalk and knock a snakes head off with your cane. (Klamath River) „ - 25Up 1Down 2
Whistling underwater
“ People may not whistle underwater. (Portland) „ - 26Up 2Down 4
Horse race or Symphony concert
“ It is illegal to conduct a horse race or a symphony concert. (Eugene) „ - 27Up 1Down 3
Traffic congestion thoroughfare
“ Persons may not pass through a “traffic congestion thoroughfare” more than twice per night. (Portland) „ - 28Up 1Down 3
Wrestling in Salem
“ Women may not wrestle in Salem. (Salem) „ - 29Up 0Down 2
Skating rink
“ It’s against the law for a wedding ceremony to be performed at a skating rink. (Portland) „
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