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15 Craziest Laws You Will Find in Utah

Utah is known for its breathtaking landscapes, skiing, and outdoor activities. However,  it’s also home to some of the strangest laws in the United States. From peculiar restrictions on hunting and fishing to bizarre regulations on animal behavior, Utah’s legal system is full of bizarre and sometimes humorous laws that seem to defy logic.

While some of these laws may be outdated or no longer enforced, they offer a glimpse into the state’s past. This article aims to explore some of the most peculiar laws that exist in Utah. Enjoy!

1. It is illegal to hunt whales in Utah

Photo by Todd Cravens. .

The Endangered Species Act (ESA) is a federal law that was passed by the United States Congress in 1973. The Act protects both endangered species, defined as those in danger of extinction and threatened species, those likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future.

All of the great whales are listed as endangered species under the ESA. As a result, it is illegal to kill, hunt, collect, injure or harass them, or to destruct their habitat in any way. It is also illegal to buy or sell any whales.

2. It is illegal to cause a catastrophe or a nuclear explosion

Utah Code 搂 76-6-105(1) says you can鈥檛 cause a catastrophe of 鈥渨idespread injury or damage鈥� by the use of 鈥渁 weapon of mass destruction,鈥� or 鈥渆xplosion, fire, flood, avalanche, collapse of a building, or other harmful or destructive force or substance that is not a weapon of mass destruction.鈥�

3. It is illegal for ladies to swear

Photo by Oleg Ivanov..

This is  one of the most controversial laws. Women can鈥檛 use profane words in Logan without risking a fine of some sort. In the same breath, a husband is responsible for every crime his wife commits in his presence.

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4. It is illegal to marry your cousin if they are closer than second cousins

Utah is one of the few States where it is illegal for cousins to marry. If you want to get married and live in this State, you should date outside of the family. However, there are some exceptions.

This includes cases where both parties are 65 years and above, or at least 55 years old, and the local district court has approved that either party cannot reproduce. The law helps prevent incest and defects likely to occur when close blood relatives have children together.

5. It is illegal to have sex in a moving ambulance

Photo by Jonnica Hill. .

It is illegal in Tremonton, Utah to have sex in a moving ambulance. However, this law does not apply to men. The woman caught will be punished and her named printed in the newspaper for all to see.

6. It is illegal to have an open container of alcohol in a vehicle

It is illegal to have an open container of alcohol inside a vehicle that is on public roads. This includes cars parked on private property, such as a driveway. Utah law states that no person shall have any alcoholic beverage in the passenger area of a motor vehicle. That includes glove compartments, under seats, and in the trunk. 

California has many weird laws. Click to read these 20 weird laws found in California.

7. Liquor stores should be closed on Sundays

Photo by Brandon Green. .

Whiskey, rum, vodka, and other distilled spirits are sold in liquor stores. Also, they are the only places to buy your favorite wine or beer above 5% ABV. These stores remain closed on Sundays and reopen Monday through Saturday. In addition, your favorite liquor store will not open on all federal and State holidays.

8. It is illegal to throw rocks

It might seem harmless, but throwing rocks is against the law, especially from or at a vehicle. This behavior can range from annoying to potentially dangerous, leading to the rules explicitly prohibiting it.

9. There is a limit to the amount of beer you can buy

According to the Utah Code Title 32B, 鈥渁 person may not purchase or possess beer in a container that exceeds two liters.鈥� Also, it鈥檚 also illegal for any establishment or person to sell, offer for sale, or furnish beer to the general public in a container that exceeds two liters.

10. It is illegal to sell alcohol during an emergency

Photo by Brandon Green. .

According to Utah code 32A-12-207, 鈥淒uring a period of emergency proclaimed by the governor to exist in an area of the state, it is unlawful for a person to sell, offer to sell, or otherwise furnish any alcoholic product in that area if the director of the department has publicly announced and directed that alcoholic products may not be sold, offered for sale, or otherwise furnished in that area during the period of emergency.鈥�

11. It is illegal to throw snowballs at trees or buildings

It鈥檚 a misdemeanor to throw a stone, stick, snowball, 鈥渙r other missile鈥� in Provo. Provo City Ordinance 9.14.100, entitled 鈥淭hrowing Missiles,鈥� says: Every person who shall willfully or carelessly within the limits of this City throw any stone, stick, snowball or other missile whereby any person shall be hit, or any window broken or other property injured or destroyed or in such manner as to render travel upon the public streets and places of the City dangerous, or in such a manner as to frighten or annoy any traveler, is guilty of a misdemeanor.

Click to read these 20 laws to be aware of in Florida.

12. It is illegal to ride a bike without both hands on the handlebars

Photo by Dmitrii Vaccinium..

鈥淎 person operating a bicycle or moped shall keep at least one hand on the handlebars at all times.鈥� Utah Code 搂 41-6a-1112(2). Also, you can鈥檛 use a bicycle or moped if you鈥檙e carrying a package if it prevents you from having both hands 鈥渋n the control and operation of the bicycle or moped.鈥�

13. Making prank calls to police officers is illegal

Making prank phone calls to police officers is illegal in Utah. According to Utah Criminal Law, issuing a fake bomb threat and other prank calls involving mass threats is a criminal offense. Individuals should not call a police officer and pretend to be a victim of a crime. If you inform these law officers about an emergency and provide a different address, you will be guilty of a fourth-degree felony.

14. You are not allowed to complain about milk

Photo by Brian Suman. .

As far as the interpretation of the criminal code goes, Utah says it鈥檚 illegal for milk consumers to 鈥渦nfairly discriminate鈥� against milk distributors and criticize the grade or quality. So, you better not be too selective about milk while renting a car in Utah!

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15. It is illegal to use gunpowder to remedy headache

Who would’ve thought that pharmacists once prescribed gunpowder to cure headaches in Utah! At least this is prohibited in Trout Creek, so be sure to bring along plenty of alternatives like Tylenol and Aspirin just in case.