10 Of The Strangest Laws In Minnesota

10 Of The Strangest Laws In Minnesota

Every city is subject to laws, rules, and restrictions, the majority of which are acceptable. But then there are the absurd ones that make you chuckle or make you wonder who actually sat down to think them up. Although legally these laws are still in place, many of them are rarely enforced or seen as being out-of-date. Always verify and abide by Minnesota’s most recent laws and rules. Here are 10 of the strangest laws in Minnesota.

1. It is illegal to cross state lines with a duck on your head

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It is forbidden to enter Minnesota from another state while wearing a chicken or duck on your head. Although the history of this law is unknown, it is still in force today. Who or why would want to carry a duck or chicken on their head is a mystery.

2. It is illegal to sleep naked in Minnesota

In Minneapolis, sleeping naked is against the law unless you get a specific permit from the city council. This is true even while you are by yourself and sleeping in your own home. Most likely, municipal laws against indecent exposure led to the creation of this regulation. Like all other states, Minnesota forbids public nudity that causes others to feel uncomfortable.

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3. Riding a bicycle without both hands on the handlebars

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Except when making a hand signal, it’s against the law to ride a bicycle in Minnesota without having both hands on the handlebars. The goal of this law is to encourage safe cycling habits. Additionally, it attempts to safeguard those who utilize the roads often.

4. Tying elephants to parking meters is illegal

In Minnesota, it is against the law to fasten an elephant to a parking meter or streetlight. This is consistent with laws that seek to protect the rights of animals. Nonetheless, those who attach elephants to parking meters must pay parking costs in some states where this is permitted. This statute may be out of date, yet it is still on the books as an odd holdover from the past.

5. You can only play bingo twice a week in a nursing home

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Bingo is a common activity in nursing facilities that senior patients enjoy playing.
Yet some Minnesota legislators wanted to restrict bingo in senior homes to only two times every week. You couldn’t play Bingo with the elderly if you went to the nursing home. The law was thankfully repealed in 2015, allowing nursing home inmates to partake in one, two, or three rounds of Bingo without fear of breaching the law.

6. In Minnesota drinking is not illegal

In Minnesota, there is a specific legislation that prohibits public intoxication, which may be illegal in other states. Drunkenness Not a Crime, Under 340A.902: Intoxication in public is not a crime. Public intoxication is not a crime that can be prosecuted or found guilty of.

Yet, according to the law, being intoxicated does not prevent you from being found guilty of other crimes even though it is not a criminal. For instance, it is illegal to drive while intoxicated in the state. Additionally, the law may hold you accountable for the offense if your activities cause damage to someone else’s property or harm to them.

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7. Mosquitoes are a public nuisance in Minnesota 

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The more than fifty kinds of mosquitoes that are native to Minnesota are known to carry a number of diseases. It is stated that areas where mosquitoes lay their eggs or hatch are considered public nuisances. Not the mosquitoes themselves, but the public space, can be deemed a “nuisance.”

8. Cars should not have dirty tires in Minnesota 

Given how muddy, and wet Minnesota is, it seems absurd that there is a rule against dirty tires on highway cars. But, if you operate a car with filthy wheels or tires that cause you to leave trash on the road while you’re driving, you’re generally seen as a nuisance to the public in Minnesota.

9. Adultery in Minnesota is a crime

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When a married woman engages in sexual activity with a man other than her husband, whether they are married or not, it is illegal in Minnesota. If found guilty, both parties might face a maximum of one year in prison or a maximum fine of $3,000, or both.

There are a few things to keep in mind despite the fact that this strange Minnesota rule seems strange and primarily affects women. The ruling can only be requested by the offended spouse, and even then, it rarely succeeds. One year has passed since the offense occurred for the person who wants to file the complaint. Although this law is still in effect today, a presiding judge very infrequently enforces it.

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10. Motorcycle riding without a shirt is illegal 

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It is illegal to ride a motorcycle without a long-sleeved shirt on. Instructors in motorcycle endorsement programs must abide by the law. A jacket or long-sleeved shirt, a helmet, eye protection, shoes or boots, and gloves are just a few examples of the protective gear that teachers must insist their pupils wear in order to comply with the law.

The law specifically refers to motorcycle endorsement programs, not to any other motorcycle riders. So, the legislation would not prevent you from traveling along the Lake Country Scenic Byway while donning a short-sleeved shirt or going shirtless. But put on a thick jacket for protection.