It’s no secret that laws are made to protect us. However, it seems like legislators are trying to control people’s lives a little too much, and some of the laws they make are flat-out silly! Check out these weird laws in Alabama to understand what we mean. They’ve all been in the law books at one time or another, and some still are… like, is confetti illegal in Alabama? Are windshield wipers required in Alabama? If you’ve ever wondered about weird laws in AL, read on!

1. You must have windshield wipers on your car.

State Farm / Flickr
With Alabama weather being as unpredictable as it is, would anyone want to drive without them?

2. In Mobile, it's illegal to spit orange peels onto the sidewalk.

DENker via Wikimedia Commons
Just in case you ever wondered why the streets aren't littered with orange peels, this may be the reason. We think we'd rather step on an orange peel than a banana peel any day if cartoons have taught us anything.

3. Putting salt on a railroad track can be punishable by death.

Marcus Winter via Wikimedia Commons
This one sounds like one of the weirdest laws in Alabama, but there's actually a reason behind it. Salt can attract cattle onto the tracks, and obviously that is not a good thing. So, be sure to leave the salt at home.

4. Boogers must not be flicked into the wind.

demongrinder / Deviant Art
Eww! Okay, this is gross! Disgusting!

5. It's illegal to impersonate a priest.

Duke Chapel via Wikimedia Commons
Well, there's a Halloween costume idea you can mark off your list.

6. It's illegal to wear a fake mustache in church because it could cause laughter.

mike mozart / Flickr
We're not really sure we wouldn't be some of the ones laughing. Don't judge!

7. In Mobile, it's illegal to spray silly string.

Makuahine Pa'i Ki'i / Flickr
Come on! It's silly string for crying out loud! What's so wrong with having a little fun? Confetti is also illegal in Mobile, even if you plan to sweep it up afterwards.

8. In Montgomery, it's illegal to open an umbrella on a street.

Sankarshan Mukhopadhyay / Flickr
This is another illegal thing in Alabama that seems strange but made sense at one point in time. The opening of an umbrella is very likely to spook horses, so in a society without cars, it could have truly resulted in a disaster. The next time it rains, consider wearing a rain jacket.

9. It's illegal to wear a mask in public.

Kashfi Halford via Wikimedia Commons
Alabama was the first state in the Deep South to enact an anti-masking law, which took place in 1949. The law was designed to curb Ku Klux Klan activity. Who knew that we'd still be debating masks 80 years later?

10. It's illegal to put an ice cream cone in your back pocket.

StockSnap / Pixabay
This one of the oddest among the many funny laws in Alabama. We're not really sure why you'd want to do this, as it sounds quite messy. Apparently, it was once common to steal horses away from carriages by luring them away with a strategically-placed ice cream cone.

Related Stories

According To FBI Statistics, These Are The 10 Most Dangerous Cities In Alabama

According To FBI Statistics, These Are The 10 Most Dangerous Cities In Alabama

 There’s A Deadly Plant Growing In Alabama Yards That Looks Like A Harmless Weed

There’s A Deadly Plant Growing In Alabama Yards That Looks Like A Harmless Weed

 UFOs Were Sighted In Alabama Over 30 Years Ago And It's One Of The Most Credible UFO Sightings In History

UFOs Were Sighted In Alabama Over 30 Years Ago And It's One Of The Most Credible UFO Sightings In History

11. In Lee County, it's illegal to sell peanuts after sundown on Wednesdays.

Jack Dykinga, USDA ARS via Wikimedia Commons
This one is apparently not a law anymore, but it really has us scratching our heads. Why just on Wednesdays? Who angered Lee County so much that they had to enact this?

12. It's legal to drive down a one-way street the wrong way as long as you have a lantern attached to the front of your vehicle.

Eddie Willers via Wikimedia Commons
At that point, you are probably better off just turning your headlights on.

13. Bear wrestling matches are illegal.

Trueman, R.H. via Wikimedia Commons
Rats, there goes our plans for the weekend.

14. Dominoes must not be played on Sundays.

Peng via Wikimedia Commons
No bear wrestling and no dominoes? What are we supposed to do for fun on a Sunday?

What would happen if the state actually enforced some of its weirdest laws? Watch YouTuber This Is Alabama speculate:

15. It's illegal for someone to drive while blindfolded.

wilkernet / Pixabay
We're not really sure why someone would attempt to do this, but now that we think about it, it does explain the driving skills of quite a few Alabamians.

16. In Mobile, bathing in city fountains is not allowed.

AshtonNekolah via Wikimedia Commons
Watching someone bathe in the local city fountain is not on the top of our to-do lists, so we're kind of glad for this one.

17. In Huntsville, if an animal control officer is in uniform, it indicates to the public he's a control officer.

Nhandler via Wikimedia Commons
Who would have thought?

18. In Anniston, it's illegal to wear blue jeans while walking down Noble Street.

digitearte / Flickr
So, the next time you've got on denim, find an alternate walking route.

19. Incestuous marriages are legitimate here in Alabama.

Leon Brooks via Wikimedia Commons
This one is not only one of the weirdest laws in Alabama, it's also the source of quite a few negative stereotypes.

20. In case of divorce, women are entitled to keep all of the property they owned before the marriage. However, this law doesn't apply to men.

stevepb / Pixabay

Did you know about these weird Alabama laws? These are pretty wacky! They may not be enforced, but it’s still ridiculous that some of them still exist! Do you know of any other weird laws in Alabama?

If you want to learn more about Alabama’s strange quirks, take a look at our list of strange habits of Alabamans. Or, if you want to see more of Alabama’s good side – and there’s a lot to see – book one of the awesome tours you can find on Viator.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

More to Explore

Fun Facts About Alabama

Lisa Sammons | September 09, 2021

What are some fun facts about Alabama?

There are a lot of cool fun facts about Alabama. Here are a few of our favorites:

  • Alabama's official state beverage is Conecuh Ridge Whiskey.
  • Magnolia Springs is the only state in the country with an all-water mail route.
  • Alabama was the first state to declare Christmas a legal holiday, which took place in 1936.

 

What are some other weird laws in Alabama?

So... is confetti illegal in Alabama? Well. In Mobile, Alabama, it is illegal to possess, make, sell, give away or throw any non-biodegradable, plastic-based confetti. We're not opposed to this law, because, confetti is basically like glitter or sprinkles, and man, it gets messy.

What is life in Alabama like?

There are some unfair stereotypes, but life in Alabama is pretty great. There are so many reasons to consider moving to Alabama, including but not limited to delicious and diverse cuisine, the many natural wonders of Alabama, and the unbeatable southern hospitality.

What are some things to do in Alabama?

There are tons of great museums, 22 state parks, and countless fantastic restaurants in Alabama. Here are a few articles about our favorite things to do in Alabama:

Related Articles

Explore Alabama

Featured Addresses
Alabama, USA