Vermont Dumb Laws

Apple Pie Pairing

Vermont once passed a law requiring that apple pie be served with a “good faith effort” to offer either a glass of cold milk, a slice of cheddar cheese, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The statute isn’t enforced today, but it’s still on the books as a point of pride, and a nod to the state’s dairy culture. The law originated in the 1999 Vermont Statutes Annotated under Title 1, Chapter 11, Section 512. It was intended to celebrate two of Vermont’s signature products: apples and dairy. While many states honor their favorite foods symbolically, Vermont took it a step further by turning culinary tradition into official legislative language. Source

Maple Syrup Mislabeling

In Vermont, falsely labeling a product as “maple syrup” is a punishable offense. According to state law, only sap from Vermont-grown sugar maple trees, properly boiled and processed, can legally be sold as “Vermont maple syrup.” Anyone caught counterfeiting it (whether by diluting it, flavoring corn syrup, or misrepresenting its origin) can be fined or even face criminal penalties. Vermont is one of the largest maple syrup producers in the U.S., and the law is designed to protect both consumers and the state’s internationally respected syrup industry. There’s even a Maple Law Enforcement Officer working with the Vermont Agency of Agriculture. Yes, that’s a real job. Source

Of Wives and Dentures

At one point in Vermont’s legal history, a woman needed her husband’s written consent to be fitted for dentures. This law is no longer in effect, but it’s a disturbing and absurd example of how deeply the state (and the country) once regulated women’s bodies and healthcare decisions. The rule reflected broader 19th-century views about a woman’s autonomy—or lack thereof. It serves now as a reminder of how far medical and gender rights legislation has come, and why continuous vigilance in the lawmaking process matters. Source

Underwater Whistling

This one shows up on numerous “dumb law” lists, and it’s often repeated: supposedly, it’s illegal to whistle underwater in Vermont. Unfortunately (or fortunately), we could not locate a verifiable statute in the Vermont state code or any reputable municipal ordinances confirming this. While the idea of someone trying to whistle underwater is amusing, and the ban might have once existed at a town level or been confused with a swimming safety regulation, we have to call this one unverifiable.

Giraffes and Telephone Poles

Another oft-repeated Vermont “law” is the prohibition against tying a giraffe to a telephone pole. This is likely not a real statute, but rather a fabricated example created for legal humor websites or exaggerated versions of general animal tethering laws. While Vermont does have laws about where and how animals can be tied or kept, nothing in the official record specifically references giraffes. Unless someone in Montpelier had a very specific zoo escape in mind, you’re in the clear. We were unable to find a reputable primary source for this law.