Here Are 10 Of The Weirdest Laws Ever Passed In Iowa
Michaela Kendall
Author
Have you ever tipped your waiter? Have you ever opened a tab at a bar? Have you ever winked at a woman you don’t know? Well you, my friend, are a criminal according to the state of Iowa. That’s right. In Iowa, countless rules are written into the law books that promise swift punishment for a slew of innocuous actions. Times have changed, but these Hawkeye State laws haven’t! Here are 10 weird laws in Iowa that will undoubtedly leave you scratching your head!
1. It's illegal for mustached men to kiss women in public.
2. It's illegal for a kiss to last longer than five minutes.
3. It's illegal to sell drugs without a drug tax stamp.
4. According to Iowa law, one-armed piano players must perform for free.
5. It's a crime in Iowa to use a dead person’s handicapped parking sign or license plate.
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6. Ministers must obtain a permit to carry their liquor across state lines.
7. In Cedar Rapids, Iowa, it is illegal to read a person's palms in the city limits.
8. In Ottumwa, a man may not wink at any woman he does not know.
9. In Marshalltown, horses are forbidden to eat fire hydrants.
10. In Mount Vernon, one must obtain written permission from the City Council before throwing bricks or stones into a highway.
BONUS! The Iowa Legislature once passed a resolution ordering the state cafeteria to start serving cornbread.
Well, you do the crime you do the time… or not. Don’t worry; these weird Iowa laws are likely not going to be enforced! They are simply products of another time and place that no one wants to bother with anymore. Phew! Did you know about these weird laws in Iowa? Do you know of any other weird laws in the Hawkeye State? Share a few life in Iowa stories with us in the comments section!
Iowa sure is one weird state. And it’s not just our laws – Iowans are pretty weird people, too!
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Weird Laws In Iowa
Why are there so many weird laws in Iowa?
Weird laws are everywhere, in every state in the country -- not just Iowa! These laws still exist because frankly, it would take too much time and resources to go through the process of repealing them. So rest assured, you probably will not get arrested in Iowa for having your palms read, but you could always ask your palm reader to give you a heads up before it happens! If you think Iowa has weird laws, you should visit Washington, where lollipops are banned. Or Lexington, Kentucky, which has a law against carrying an ice cream cone in your back pocket. And in Arkansas? Well, in Arkansas it is illegal to have alligators living in your bathtub.
What are some fun facts about Iowa?
The Hawkeye State is a fascinating place, and we love passing along fun facts about Iowa for you to share at your next dinner party. Here are some fun facts about Iowa:
- First, Iowa is home to The Future Birthplace of Captain James T. Kirk. Yes, you read that correctly. According to the creator of Star Trek, Captain Kirk was born in Riverside, Iowa... in 2228. You can visit the "birthplace" in Riverside, Iowa, too!
- In terms of thrilling history, on April 16, 1934, the infamous crime couple Bonnie and Clyde robbed the First National Bank in Stuart, Iowa.
- On July 21, 1873, Jesse James and his gang robbed the first train in the West, in Adair, Iowa. Iowa is quite a legendary place!
What are some weird places to visit in Iowa?
Iowa is kind of a weird little state. From our weird laws to weird culinary preferences, the Hawkeye State welcomes and celebrates the weird! If you’re looking for some of the strangest sites you’ll ever see in the Hawkeye State, check out some of these bizarre destinations:
- Squirrel Cage Jail
- Jesse James Historical Site
- Villisca Axe Murder House
- Grotto of the Redemption
- Hobo Museum
From a zombie-themed diner, or a zombie scavenger hunt, to a hobo museum, there's a lot of weirdness to embrace in Iowa.