Every state has its share of strange laws, but Washington stands out for some truly bizarre rules that are still technically on the books. Some of these laws date back decades and reflect outdated concerns, while others are oddly specific to local behavior.
If you’re a Washington resident or just passing through Seattle, you might be surprised by what’s still considered illegal. Continue reading to learn more about these odd laws, why they might still be on the books, and why they matter.
Statewide Laws That Will Make You Look Twice
Across Washington, a few state or county-wide laws go beyond quirky and land firmly in “Did they really pass that?” territory, including:
- No harming Bigfoot: In Skamania County, killing a Sasquatch is illegal. The 1969 ordinance imposes a $10,000 fine and up to five years in prison.
- Bigfoot is endangered: Whatcom County passed a similar law in 1991, declaring Bigfoot an endangered species to prevent people from going on “monster hunts.”
- X-ray shoe fittings are banned: Once a popular way to size shoes, X-ray foot scanners were banned due to health concerns. Washington still prohibits them under safety regulations.
- No bottle smashing: You can’t legally destroy your own beer or soda bottle in public. Even if it’s your bottle, breaking glass on public property is considered littering and a public hazard.
- You can’t trick people by pretending you’re rich: Fraud laws in Washington are so broad that even lying about coming from a wealthy family to get a discount or loan can be criminal.
These laws might seem like relics of the past, but they remain legally binding unless repealed.
City Ordinances That Defy Explanation
The real treasure trove of weird Washington laws comes from individual cities. Many of these laws were passed in the early 1900s and have never been removed.
Here are some of the strangest:
- Everett: You can’t display a hypnotized person in a store window. It’s not clear how often this happened, but it was clearly enough to justify a ban.
- Lynden: It is against the law to dance in an establishment that also serves alcohol. This prohibition applies when dancing alone or in groups of two or more people.
Some of these laws are funny, but others point to specific issues that must have been common or controversial at the time.
Do Police Enforce These Laws?
Generally, no. Most of Washington’s weird laws aren’t actively enforced. Local police departments prioritize more serious offenses and rarely bring charges under outdated ordinances.
That said, the laws do still exist. In theory, someone could be cited if they violate one of them during a larger incident or if law enforcement wants to use the statute to justify a stop or citation.
In other words, these laws may seem harmless, but they’re not completely harmless if applied in the wrong context.
Why Haven’t These Laws Been Removed?
There are a few reasons why strange laws stay on the books:
- It takes time to repeal a law: Local governments often focus on new issues instead of cleaning up outdated ordinances.
- No one complains: If a law isn’t being enforced, there’s little public pressure to repeal it. Since they’re not being enforced, many people may not even realize these laws exist.
- They’re considered harmless: Lawmakers may find it easier to leave these laws in place than risk public pushback by revisiting old codes.
- They’re seen as part of local history: In some towns, strange laws are a source of local pride or tourist interest.
Repealing a law requires time, energy, and political will things that may not be spent on something that seems more funny than harmful.
Can These Laws Be Challenged?
Yes, but only if they are enforced. If someone were charged under one of these strange laws, they could challenge it on the basis of the law being vague, outdated, or unconstitutional.
Courts in Washington consider several factors when reviewing a challenge:
- Whether the law serves a legitimate purpose
- If it’s written clearly enough for people to understand
- Whether it conflicts with higher-level laws or rights
If the court finds the law problematic, it could be overturned. However, this process rarely happens unless someone is directly affected.
Should We Care About Weird Washington Laws?
That depends. On the surface, these laws seem funny and irrelevant. However, their continued presence shows how legal codes can become cluttered, inconsistent, or confusing. In some cases, old laws are weaponized in unusual legal cases or contribute to over-policing.
Keeping legal codes clean, updated, and relevant helps promote fair enforcement and prevents obscure laws from being misused.
Contact Our Personal Injury Law Firm in Seattle, WA
Weird Washington laws might make you laugh, but they also remind us how slowly legal systems tend to evolve. From Bigfoot protection laws to rules against puppet shows and suspicious fish, the state has a long list of outdated and unusual statutes.
While most aren’t enforced, they remain technically valid and highlight the importance of updating local codes. Knowing what’s on the books (even the weird stuff) can help you better understand how Washington law works, and why it’s sometimes overdue for a tune-up.
For more information, contact an experienced personal injury lawyer at Darrell Cochran Personal Injury Lawyer to schedule a free initial consultation. We have convenient locations in Seattle and Tacoma, Washington.
Darrell Cochran Personal Injury Lawyer – Seattle
701 5th Ave Suite 4300A, Seattle, WA 98104
(253) 948-0250
Darrell Cochran Personal Injury Lawyer – Tacoma
909 A St Ste 700, Tacoma, WA 98402
(253) 264-0225