15 Weird Laws in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania is an exciting and memorable place. The third largest city in Pennsylvania is Allentown, a city that was the subject of the famous song by Billy Joel in 1982.

In the song, Joel talks about the common type of life that people think they live in but goes on to express the uniqueness of the city and the way so many extraordinary, everyday people–such as Army soldiers and welders–contribute to the economy and well-being of their community and country.

Allentown is just one example of the uniqueness and strange things you find in the state of Pennsylvania.

One interesting fact is that the state insect is a firefly and there are plenty of these to see in the state. The nation’s oldest golf course is located in Clarion, Pennsylvania. Also, Pennsylvania has the highest Amish population in the world.

In addition to the extraordinary and strange things about the state, the laws are also a bit off-the-wall at times. People in the state of Pennsylvania are aware of some of these.

But if there are some you didn’t know, you may want to brush up on them! You don’t want to be arrested for singing in the bathtub or something!

Before all that, if you’d like to go ahead and start comparing auto insurance rates, try our FREE online quote tool! Enter your ZIP code below to get started!

15 Weird Laws in Pennsylvania

Below are 15 weird laws that are still on the books (but rarely enforced) in Pennsylvania.

Read through these laws and have a chuckle about them as you go along the highways but be sure to look out for the occasional horse and buggy crossing on the other side of the road and never sing in a bathtub!

#1 – Cars cannot be sold on a Sunday

Motorized vehicles cannot be sold on a Sunday. If you want to sell your car, don’t do it on a Sunday.

We are not sure if it matters whether or not the car is a good car or not. It is our understanding that, regardless of your ethics and the quality of your car, selling your car on Sunday is not allowed!

#2 – When driving on a country road at night, use a rocket signal to warn other drivers you’re there

Motorists driving on a country road at night must stop every mile to send up a rocket signal and wait 10 minutes before proceeding.

Where this law started is hard to tell, but perhaps it is in place to warn any incoming space aliens who are thinking of landing in the state to proceed with caution as there could be drivers on the road.

#3 – Pull off the road and camouflage your car if a team of horses is approaching you

Any motorist who sees a team of horses coming toward them must pull off the road and cover their car with a blanket or canvas that blends into the scenery until the horses pass. Some communities in Pennsylvania still enjoy using a horse and buggy in place of the modern automobile.

Be aware that, if you see an incoming team of horses, you must pull off the road and cover your car immediately, perhaps to hide the fact that you are more in touch with modern technology than the people steering the team of horses.

#4 – You can only catch a fish with your mouth (no other body parts allowed)

You may not catch a fish with your hands or any other part of your body, except your mouth. It’s important to note that, when you are fishing in the state of Pennsylvania, you cannot do it with your hands.

You must use a fishing pole, net, or some other means. Fishing with your hands or any other part of your body is not only wrong; it’s embarrassing!

#5 – You cannot use explosives to catch fish either

You cannot use explosives to catch fish either.

Don’t even think about blowing your fish out of the water with dynamite, TNT, or any other explosive. It might scare the other fish or cause area residents to think there’s a war going on in their neighborhood.

#6 – Firework stores are not allowed to sell fireworks to residents of Pennsylvania

Firework stores are not allowed to sell fireworks to PA residents.

If you live in Pennsylvania, you will have to drive to the state line to purchase fireworks.

What are the firework stores there for then, who knows? Perhaps they want to save all of the fireworks for people from out-of-state and are afraid the locals will use them all in a big Fourth of July blowout!

#7 – Ministers cannot marry a couple if the groom or bride is drunk

Ministers are forbidden from marrying a couple when either the groom or bride is drunk. Ministers have to marry a lot of different people. Many ministers counsel with the bride and groom before the wedding to make sure they are all on the same page.

They may wake up in the morning and regret their decision. Intoxicated brides and grooms may not know what they are doing. So ministers are not allowed to perform the ceremony until they’ve sobered up!

#8 – Firing weapons at a wedding are forbidden

You cannot discharge a cannon, gun, revolver, or any other weapons at a wedding.

If you go to a wedding, even if it is a shotgun wedding, don’t bring your gun.

A gun may upset the wedding party and start a brawl or shootout at what would have been a most delightful occasion.

#9 – More than 16 women living under one roof makes that house a brothel

More than 16 women residing in a house together would constitute a brothel. If you have a lot of lady friends, don’t share rent with 15 of them at the same time. The police will investigate you for having a brothel.

Then you will have to show proof that you merely lived in that congregation of women to save money on rent. It would be interesting to see if a jury would buy it.

#10 – Housewives, no sweeping dirt under the rug!

Housewives are banned from sweeping dirt under the rug. It’s always fun to hear a metaphor used literally.

But if you are a housewife, make sure you use a dustpan or sweep it outside instead!

One of the worst things to be accused of is hiding dirt by sweeping it under a carpet. It will just come back to haunt you, as will this law if you break it.

#11 – No sleeping on top of a fridge outdoors

It is illegal to sleep on top of a refrigerator outdoors. If you decide to sleep outside, don’t choose the top of a refrigerator as your bed.

It’s illegal for some reason, and we’re still not sure why. And what is your fridge doing outside anyway?

#12 – No singing in the bathtub

You may not sing in a bathtub. This one could be serious. If you are caught singing in the bathtub, you could be fined, arrested, or sued. Don’t risk it. It could be embarrassing to be taken from your bathtub unclad before a judge.

If you do find yourself in this awkward situation, make sure the song was performed well. You may be required to do it again in court.

#13 – Pants worn lower than five inches below the waist are unacceptable

In Danville, pants cannot be worn lower than five inches below the waist. No baggy pants are seen in Pennsylvania! There’s actually a law against it.

If you do, you might be caught “with your pants down!”

#14 – All fire hydrants must be checked an hour before a fire breaks out

Also in Danville, all fire hydrants must be checked one hour before a fire occurs. Sometimes a law just needs editing because of the wording. Here’s an example.

However, you have to wonder about the logic behind it, too. How will they know there is going to be a fire?

Perhaps this law only applies to arson where the perpetrators knew in advance that they would commit the crime and took the time to call the fire department to help them check the fire hydrant before doing so. Smart thinking!

#15 – A woman must get a permit to wear cosmetics

In Morrisville, a woman must have a permit to wear cosmetics. Did you know that you cannot wear makeup in Morrisville without a permit?

We are not sure if the town has a history of wearing too much makeup or what, but that’s the rule! Be sure to be able to present your permit for cosmetic wearing to a police officer if asked.

There may be an added offense for wearing too much makeup. You may want to call the city hall and ask before visiting Morrisville.

Car Insurance Requirements for PA

There are many strange and weird laws on the books in Pennsylvania. But despite this fact, Pennsylvania is a cool state otherwise.

People go to work, pay their bills, and enjoy time with family and friends. They drive on the highways and try to obey the laws. They observe the traffic laws and try to upload all of the other laws, even the silly ones.

But the truth is, that no matter how crazy the laws are, you still have to follow the rational ones.

It makes sense to include having adequate insurance coverage that will cover you in any situation as you drive in the state of Pennsylvania. You don’t want to get caught in a situation where you have to defend the fact that you didn’t have insurance.

The minimum insurance requirements for drivers in Pennsylvania include:

• $15,000 per person paid for bodily injury liability
• $30,000 for bodily injury (all individuals) per accident
• $5,000 for property damage liability

– Pennsylvania is a No-Fault State

Another important thing to remember is that Pennsylvania is a no-fault state.

Each person’s insurance company will pay for damages, regardless of who is at fault. It is likely that, if you are ruled at fault by the police covering the accident, your insurance premium will go up as a result.

– Car Insurance Options

When deciding what type of insurance to get in the state of Pennsylvania, you should consider all the types of auto insurance coverage that are available to you.

While the only types of coverage that are required involve liability insurance, it might help to consider the following types of coverage as well:

• Medical coverage – Medical coverage covers any medical expenses and loss of wages due to your accident.
• Personal injury protection – Personal injury protection protects you from lawsuits that might arise as a result of your accident and also covers your injuries not covered by your standard insurance policy. This kind of coverage can come in handy in a no-fault state like Pennsylvania since someone could sue you for damaged outside the realm of insurance coverage.
• Uninsured/underinsured – If you are hit by an uninsured or underinsured driver, this coverage can help cover the costs if you are driving in a fault state. It would not be as beneficial in a no-fault state where your insurance pays, no matter what.
• Collision – Collision insurance covers any damages you receive in an accident, regardless of fault. Your car will be repaired or replaced in the event of an accident.
• Comprehensive – Remember that accident coverage only covers accidents. If you want a complete coverage of incidents such as hail, acts of nature like floods, fire, or vandalism and theft, you need to carry additional comprehensive coverage.

Comparison Shop with Multiple Car Insurance Companies

When you want to make sure that you get the coverage you need when driving in Pennsylvania, you should shop and compare as many companies and policies as possible.

You can, therefore, get an idea of the policies, options, and claims history of the various companies you are considering.

Comparison shopping can also put you in touch with agents that represent the different companies so that you can read the fine print and make the most educated decision possible regarding your choices.

If you live in Pennsylvania, start comparison shopping today by entering your ZIP code below!