Oregon Dumb Laws
Whistling in Public Restrooms
Until 2019, the city of Tigard had an odd rule on the books: no whistling in public restrooms. The ordinance dated back to the 1970s, though it’s unclear whether it was ever enforced. In a city-wide effort to modernize outdated code, the anti-whistling rule was finally flushed in 2019. A city council member reportedly said, “It’s about time we stop criminalizing whistling in the bathroom.” Source
Juggling Permit Required
If you’re planning a juggling act in Hood River, make sure you’re licensed. The city requires performers, including jugglers, to obtain a permit before putting on a public show. This odd law was enacted to regulate street performance and minimize sidewalk congestion; but it’s still strange to think that tossing tennis balls in a park might need paperwork. Source
No Torpedoes in Parks
Tigard’s list of prohibited park items used to include an eyebrow-raising entry: torpedoes. The rule, originally passed in 1971, banned the possession of torpedoes, rockets, and similar explosives in public parks. It was likely meant to discourage all forms of hazardous weaponry, but the specific mention of “torpedoes” made it a local punchline until the city removed it in a 2019 cleanup of outdated laws. Source
No Pre-Church Garlic
In Marion County, there’s an old ordinance discouraging ministers from eating onions or garlic before delivering Sunday sermons. Though not actively enforced today, the law speaks to bygone concerns about personal hygiene and decorum in houses of worship. Apparently, offending parishioners’ noses was once seen as a spiritual offense. Source
Hunting Game in Graveyards
Under Oregon law, it’s illegal to hunt in cemeteries. This one’s actually still on the books and makes a certain kind of sense. After all, nobody wants to encounter a deer hunter while visiting Grandma’s grave. Violating the law can result in fines, and depending on the circumstances, possibly criminal charges. Still, it’s a surreal reminder of what lawmakers once felt the need to clarify. Source