From snow removal to fortune telling, a look at surprising laws in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has some unique laws that may surprise its residents.

From the mundane to the ridiculous, here are 12 Pennsylvania laws that you may not have known about.

Catching fish with bare hands

According to the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, it is unlawful to use anything other than the authorized tools, such as nets and poles, to catch fish. Grabbing a fish by your bare hands could get you a fine.

Singing in a bathtub

This law was established in 1969 as part of the Bathroom Singing Prohibition Act. The act was passed in order to force performers to showcase their talent in a public setting.

Removing snow from the vehicle

This law leans more toward common sense as a safety measure. A reasonable effort must be made to remove snow and ice from the windshield, roof, and trunk of the car. Drivers who fail to do so could be fined up to $50 for each offense.

Riding in a boat on the highway

Under section 3706 of Pennsylvania’s Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes, it is a general rule that no one should occupy a boat attached to a trailer while it is being moved on the highway. Towing an occupied boat is also prohibited.

Buying a car on Sundays

Pennsylvania is one of the few states that still has Blue Laws, which ban certain specific activities on Sundays. According to this law, car dealerships are prohibited from selling cars on Sundays. Dealerships aren’t required to be closed on Sundays, and potential buyers can discuss the sale, but will have to wait to complete the purchase.

Discharging a cannon during a wedding

Not limited to cannon-fire, it is illegal to fire a gun, revolver or any other explosive weapon at a wedding.

Fortune telling in exchange for money

Telling fortunes, using cards, tokens or other means of astrology, is considered a third-degree misdemeanor. The law was established in 1861, when fortune-telling and astrology were considered corrupting.

Proximity of a child’s bedroom to the bathroom

This law is part of the Pennsylvania Code, stating that a child’s bedroom may not be more than 200 feet from a bathtub, shower, or toilet. While this law is most likely in place for child treatment facilities, it is good practice for those with tiny bladders.

Permit for wearing makeup

While it’s not a law that is enforced, requiring a permit for women who wear makeup is still a law in the books in Morrisville.

Sweeping dirt under the rug

Remainder of a cleaning ordinance in Pennsylvania, and rather dated, it was stated to be illegal for housewives to sweep dirt and dust under the rug in their homes.

Selling pretzels in bags

Dating back to the Prohibition Era, Philadelphia has a law that prohibits pretzels from being sold in sealed bags. By targeting popular snack companions of beer, such as pretzels, it was thought that people would consume less beer during the dry years of Prohibition because the snacks were consumed in the open, rather than in beer-friendly environments.

Housing more than 16 women under one roof

Ultimately debunked, there was a rumor that a law was placed prohibiting more than 16 women from living together in a house because the state defines that number as a brothel.