9 Crazy Laws In Greater Cleveland Will Leave You Scratching Your Head In Wonder
By Nikki Rhoades|Published December 24, 2018
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Nikki Rhoades
Author
Nikki is a lifelong Ohioan with a love for literature. She holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Akron and has enjoyed publishing her written work since 2007. She has a love of travel and does so frequently, though she believes that home is where the heart is — she continues to work in and around Cleveland as a digital content specialist to this day, working on everything from commercial scripts and social media posts to grassroots marketing initiatives.
According to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, “blue laws” are laws that are or once were “on the books,” yet are not enforced due to their absurdity. Various situations caused these laws to go into effect, but today they sound too ridiculous to be real. Plenty of these blue laws exist throughout Greater Cleveland, and you won’t believe the ridiculousness of these laughable legal statements.
1. In Bay Village, it's illegal to walk your cow down Lake Road.
It's amazing to consider that, at some point, a cow on Lake Road must have caused enough ruckus or distracted enough drivers to turn this anomaly into a law.
2. Throughout Greater Cleveland, it's illegal for more than five women to live in a single house.
Hunting licenses are issued to promote public safety, protect wildlife, and contain the spread of animal-borne diseases. Perhaps it was the latter concept that inspired Cleveland to bring this oddity into law?
The concern apparently stems from seeing the reflection of a lady's underwear in the shiny surface of the material, as everyone knows that just makes your morning stroll to work particularly awkward. This law doesn't forbid men from rocking a super shiny pair of patent pumps, so at least someone is able to be fashionable in Cleveland.
6. Whether you're in Greater Cleveland or elsewhere in Ohio, keep in mind that it's illegal to fish for whales on a Sunday.
Ohio is home to some of the best-preserved shark fossils in the world, but you've probably noticed that our ancient ocean (and, presumably, our whale population) is long gone.
7. In Fairview Park, it is illegal to excessively honk your horn.
This book contains language that concerned citizens viewed as indecent. It was banned in 1972, but the ban was lifted in 1976. The memory of this literary law is often recognized by local students during Banned Books Week.
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9. Planning a sword fight, gunfight, or even an Agni Kai in the name of honor? Forget it. Dueling is illegal in Ohio.
We're actually quite glad this is a law - it's the most reasonable of the bunch!
Hopefully, you never get a fish in patent leather shoes drunk on a Sunday while you’re fishing for whales or hunting for mice, because you could be in a world of legal trouble… that is, if these laws were taken seriously. Which surprised you the most?
