North Dakota Dumb Laws

Hats and Dancing Don’t Mix

In Fargo, it’s illegal to wear a hat while dancing or even at a dance event. The original reasoning behind this hat ban isn’t well documented, but it may have stemmed from concerns about obstructed views or outdated ideas of proper etiquette. While likely not enforced today, it’s still one of North Dakota’s more bizarre lingering ordinances. Source

Beer or Pretzels

You might want to rethink that classic bar snack combo. In North Dakota, it’s reportedly illegal to serve beer and pretzels at the same time in a bar or restaurant. The origins of this peculiar law are unclear, but it shows up frequently in compilations of weird laws. As strange as it sounds, it may have been rooted in outdated liquor or food service regulations. Source

Sleeping in Shoes

In North Dakota, falling asleep with your shoes on is technically illegal—or so the rumor goes. This alleged law frequently appears on lists of dumb or outdated statutes, though we couldn’t find a primary citation for it. It may have once been tied to vagrancy laws, but today it’s more legend than law.

Elk in Sandboxes

A widely repeated claim says it’s illegal to keep an elk in your backyard sandbox in North Dakota. While it’s unlikely anyone has tried this recently, the law likely refers to broader wildlife and livestock restrictions. That said, we were unable to locate a verifiable primary source in the state’s code.

Horses in Bathtubs

Some say it’s against the law in Waverly, North Dakota, to let a horse sleep in a bathtub. This law appears on multiple weird law lists and may have been inspired by a similar Arizona statute. But for North Dakota specifically, we couldn’t find a reputable primary source confirming its existence.