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Every state has its share of odd rules, and Washington is no exception. Some laws on Washington’s books are so weird, outdated, or oddly specific that they can leave residents and visitors scratching their heads. In this article, we explore a collection of bizarre, humorous, yet real laws in Washington State. Each quirky law is explained in simple terms with a dash of humor. Read on to learn about the Evergreen State’s strangest regulations—you might be surprised what you find.
Believe it or not, Washington State legally protects Bigfoot. In 1969, Skamania County passed an ordinance to prevent people from harming the legendary Sasquatch. An updated version of the law in 1984 even made it a crime punishable by up to one year in jail or a $1,000 fine to harass or hurt Bigfoot. This quirky law was created to safeguard anyone (or anything) that looks like Bigfoot. While it’s unlikely to be enforced today, it shows how seriously some take the Bigfoot legend. In short, if you ever spot a Sasquatch in Washington, look, don’t touch.
It’s best to save the hugs for later if you’re driving in Washington. One strangely specific traffic law makes it illegal to hug someone else while you’re behind the wheel. The rule says a driver cannot have another person in their embrace if it interferes with driving safely. Essentially, if you attempt to drive with an arm wrapped around your sweetheart, you could be cited for reckless driving. Keep your hands on the wheel, not on your passenger, when the car is moving.
Once upon a time, shoe stores used X-ray machines to measure feet—a practice that Washington State decided to ban. There’s an old law that prohibits using X-ray or similar machines for shoe fitting or checking foot sizes. The law dates back to concerns about unnecessary radiation exposure in the early 20th century when “fluoroscope” shoe-fit machines were a fad. It might seem outdated now, but it’s still on the books. In other words, stick to a measuring tape at the shoe store—no radiation allowed for trying on shoes.
Washington has a public health law that technically makes it illegal to expose others to your sickness, even something like the common cold. It’s a misdemeanor to willfully expose someone else to a contagious disease in public. This means if you know you’re sick and you knowingly cough on others or go out without regard, you’re breaking the law. Of course, nobody is getting arrested for having the sniffles at the supermarket; it’s an old law aimed at serious disease spread. So if you have a cold or flu, do everyone a favor (and follow the law) by resting up at home.
Among Washington’s strangest animal laws is one protecting carrier pigeons. The state forbids harming or detaining someone else’s racing or carrier pigeon. Specifically, it’s illegal to shoot, kill, or trap a pigeon that carries the owner’s identification band. This law likely dates back to when messenger pigeons were important (and valuable) for communication or sport. It’s not a rule you hear about every day, but it’s still officially in effect. Hands off other people’s pigeons—even in Washington, bird-napping doesn’t fly.
Washington’s law books still contain a few “blue laws”—old laws meant to enforce rest or religious observance on Sundays. For example, it used to be illegal to buy meat on Sundays. There was also a ban on purchasing mattresses on a Sunday. Believe it or not, even hunting or killing whales was prohibited on Sundays in the 1800s. These laws reflected a time when Sunday was considered off-limits for certain activities. Today, you can shop for dinner or a bed any day of the week, and whaling is outlawed every day to protect marine life.
The city of Lynden, Washington, had a law on the books that won’t let you dance and drink simultaneously. In this small town with historically strict values, an ordinance forbade people from dancing and drinking alcohol at the same time. You could dance, and you could enjoy a beverage—just not both together, at least not legally. This unusual rule was likely intended to keep gatherings wholesome. If you ever find yourself in Lynden ready to celebrate, you technically should finish your drink before hitting the dance floor.
One bizarre Washington law makes it illegal to falsely claim that your parents are wealthy. In other words, bragging about fake riches could get you in trouble (at least in theory). The origins of this law are unclear—perhaps it was created to discourage fraud or con artists—but it reads like an attack on teen bragging rights. This is an outdated law that isn’t enforced in modern times, yet it still sits among Washington’s legal provisions. The lesson here is that honesty is the best policy, especially when it comes to who’s footing the bill, but you’re unlikely to be jailed for pretending to be “rich” nowadays.
Here’s an odd one: it’s unlawful in Washington to sleep in another person’s outhouse without permission. An outhouse (an outdoor toilet structure) might not be your first choice for a good night’s rest, but just in case, the law says you need the owner’s consent to camp out there. This peculiar rule probably addressed trespassing or sanitation issues back when outdoor privies were common. It’s certainly not a law we hear about being enforced today.
Washington State’s law books are filled with more than just rules—they’re packed with personality. From protecting Bigfoot to outlawing Sunday mattress shopping, these strange statutes offer a quirky glimpse into the state’s history and values. While most of these laws are rarely enforced today, they serve as fun reminders that the legal system can be just as weird as it is serious. So next time you’re in the Evergreen State, hug responsibly, keep your cold to yourself, and don’t even think about napping in someone else’s outhouse.
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