There are some weird laws in San Francisco. But, let’s face it, San Francisco can definitely be a bit weird. OK, a lot weird, and plenty crazy, too. And, let’s admit it, so can the legal system. Blend the two together and you’ve got some extremely weird laws in San Francisco that involve how to legally walk your elephant down Market Street, how high you can stack your horse manure, and what exactly you can store in your garage.
1. “It shall be unlawful for any person to play at or participate in any game of ball on any public street or highway.”
But celebrating our world-famous ballplayers in the street? Totally cool.
2. A dog walker can only walk up to eight dogs at one time.
Sorry, Fido #9.
3. A controversial nudity ban that went into effect in 2013 says that you can only be naked in public if you have a parade permit.
We can't confirm this is technically a parade or that its participants have a permit, but we can guess there may have been some post-ride chafing.
4.“It shall be unlawful for any person, company or corporation to carry, transport or convey, or to cause to be carried, transported or conveyed through the public streets in open baskets or exposed containers, or vehicles or otherwise, any bread, cakes, or pastry intended for human consumption.”
Fine. We’ll just eat it all immediately if we have to.
5. You are not allowed to store anything in your “public and private storage garages” unless it’s an automobile.
But where else are we supposed to put our book collection when we live in a tiny studio?!
6. Ok, so you’ve only got a car in that garage, but what if you want to wash it? Don’t even think about using that used underwear to wipe it down.
Just another reason to have a professional wash the car… right? Or maybe just to buy new underwear?
7. No car? How about a horse? Fine, just don’t ride it drunk.
We can’t guarantee this Ocean Beach cowboy is actually obeying that law. He does seem quite pleased with himself, though.
8. Also, don’t pile any horse manure higher than six feet on any street corner... or carry it through the streets.
Actually, we're pretty okay with this law...
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9. What, no horse? How about an elephant? If you plan on walking it down Market Street, do plan on investing in a leash as well.
Probably a good idea in all honesty.
10. "It shall be unlawful for more than one person over the age of 13 years old to enter or remain in an automatic public toilet at one time.”
Sorry, bathroom buddy.
11. In 1867, San Francisco was the first in the U.S. to implement an “ugly law,” which prohibited unsightly people from showing their faces in public.
Not a problem since we’re all gorgeous here. Either way, this has since been repealed. Phew.
Have you broken any of these extremely weird laws in San Francisco? We won’t tell! (Well, maybe if it’s about that unleashed elephant.)
The city’s oddness doesn’t end with these weird laws in San Francisco. The city is wonderfully weird, and to prove it, here is a crazy, one-of-a-kind store in San Francisco.
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