Each state has its own set of weird, outdated, or just plain outrageous laws. Whether they simply are from an older time, or they were instituted due to a weird circumstance (or a joke), it’s always fun to learn what strange activities are illegal where you live. Here are some weird laws in Pennsylvania that you probably didn’t know about… see if you’ve ever broken any of them!

  1. It is illegal to discharge a firearm at a wedding in Pennsylvania.

Counselman Collection/ Flickr So… does that mean no shotgun weddings? (All jokes aside, we are wondering what happened to cause this law to be…)

  1. You cannot sing in the bathtub in Pennsylvania.

Erica Nicol/ Flickr So does that mean the shower is fair game in PA? This has got to be one of the weirdest laws in Pennsylvania and one we’ve probably all broken at least once.

  1. No more than 16 women may live together under one roof.

GSV/ Flickr Why? Because that constitutes a brothel, according to Pennsylvania law.

  1. In Pennsylvania, you may not catch a fish with your bare hands.

s.yume/ Flickr In fact, the only part of your body that you’re legally allowed to catch a fish with is your mouth. Go figure! So many crazy laws in Pennsylvania…how many have you broken?

  1. In Morrisville, women must not wear makeup without a permit.

Viewminder/ Flickr Ladies: make sure you have your permits before applying that mascara!

  1. In Ridley Park, don’t even think about eating peanuts while walking backwards in front of the Barnstormers Auditorium during a performance. You could be arrested!

PittCaleb/ Flickr We know, we know. You’re going to have to find new plans for this weekend. Sorry to break the news to you this way.

  1. In Pittsburgh, you may not bring your mule or donkey onto a trolley car with you.

Roger DuPuis/ Flickr These days, Pittsburgh doesn’t have that many trolleys… or donkeys. But it’s fun to think that there was a time in history when people bringing their donkeys onto trolley cars caused such a problem that the city created a law to stop the behavior. And these days we complain about people talking on their cell phones on the bus!

  1. All wine and liquor stores must be run by the state.

camera_obscura [busy]/ Flickr Anyone who has attempted to buy a bottle of wine of Sunday can attest to how fun this particular law can be.

  1. You may not sleep on top of a refrigerator outdoors.

Luke Redmond/ Flickr Pennsylvanians: it is time to break this habit once and for all.

  1. In Philadephia, you may not put pretzels in bags.

amateur photography by michel/ Flickr This guy would be a considered a criminal mastermind in Philly. Steer clear! And be sure to keep your pretzels in state-approved containers going forward.

What do you think about these weird laws in Pennsylvania? Have you unwittingly broken the law before? Share your thoughts and opinions about these odd laws and rules in the comments section below! Did you know there are even more weird Pennsylvania laws? Take a look!

Counselman Collection/ Flickr

So… does that mean no shotgun weddings? (All jokes aside, we are wondering what happened to cause this law to be…)

Erica Nicol/ Flickr

So does that mean the shower is fair game in PA? This has got to be one of the weirdest laws in Pennsylvania and one we’ve probably all broken at least once.

GSV/ Flickr

Why? Because that constitutes a brothel, according to Pennsylvania law.

s.yume/ Flickr

In fact, the only part of your body that you’re legally allowed to catch a fish with is your mouth. Go figure! So many crazy laws in Pennsylvania…how many have you broken?

Viewminder/ Flickr

Ladies: make sure you have your permits before applying that mascara!

PittCaleb/ Flickr

We know, we know. You’re going to have to find new plans for this weekend. Sorry to break the news to you this way.

Roger DuPuis/ Flickr

These days, Pittsburgh doesn’t have that many trolleys… or donkeys. But it’s fun to think that there was a time in history when people bringing their donkeys onto trolley cars caused such a problem that the city created a law to stop the behavior. And these days we complain about people talking on their cell phones on the bus!

camera_obscura [busy]/ Flickr

Anyone who has attempted to buy a bottle of wine of Sunday can attest to how fun this particular law can be.

Luke Redmond/ Flickr

Pennsylvanians: it is time to break this habit once and for all.

amateur photography by michel/ Flickr

This guy would be a considered a criminal mastermind in Philly. Steer clear! And be sure to keep your pretzels in state-approved containers going forward.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

Address: Pennsylvania, USA

The OIYS Visitor Center

Fun Facts About Pennsylvania July 16, 2021 Sarah What are some other weird things in Pennsylvania? What some consider “weird,” others consider “wonderful.” So keep that in mind with these following factoids: Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, is the mushroom capital of the world. It produces one million pounds of mushrooms per year and has an annual mushroom festival. The most haunted house in the country was once considered to be the Congeleier House on Ridge Street in Pittsburgh. Finally, the world’s largest furry convention, Anthrocon, occurs in Pittsburgh every year. What are some fun facts about Pennsylvania? Pennsylvania is one of the oldest states, which means it’s home to many “firsts.” Here are six Pennsylvania firsts.

The first department store in the U.S., Wanamaker’s, was located in Philadelphia. The first complete Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton is on display at the Carnegie Museum in Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh is home to the first baseball stadium. The Pirates played at Forbes Field from 1909 to 1970. Benjamin Franklin started the Philadelphia Zoo, the first zoo in the United States. The world’s first computer was used in Philadelphia in 1946. The Philadelphia Eagles and the Pittsburgh Steelers merged to form the Steaglesfor one season in 1943. The teams merged because both lost so many players to military service during WWII.

What is it like living in Pennsylvania? Weird laws and oddities aside, the Keystone State is an absolutely wonderful place to live. We have four seasons, beautiful natural wonders, loads of historical sites and attractions, and some beautiful (and safe!) places to live in Pennsylvania.

The OIYS Visitor Center

Fun Facts About Pennsylvania

July 16, 2021

Sarah

What are some other weird things in Pennsylvania? What some consider “weird,” others consider “wonderful.” So keep that in mind with these following factoids: Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, is the mushroom capital of the world. It produces one million pounds of mushrooms per year and has an annual mushroom festival. The most haunted house in the country was once considered to be the Congeleier House on Ridge Street in Pittsburgh. Finally, the world’s largest furry convention, Anthrocon, occurs in Pittsburgh every year. What are some fun facts about Pennsylvania? Pennsylvania is one of the oldest states, which means it’s home to many “firsts.” Here are six Pennsylvania firsts.

The first department store in the U.S., Wanamaker’s, was located in Philadelphia. The first complete Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton is on display at the Carnegie Museum in Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh is home to the first baseball stadium. The Pirates played at Forbes Field from 1909 to 1970. Benjamin Franklin started the Philadelphia Zoo, the first zoo in the United States. The world’s first computer was used in Philadelphia in 1946. The Philadelphia Eagles and the Pittsburgh Steelers merged to form the Steaglesfor one season in 1943. The teams merged because both lost so many players to military service during WWII.

What is it like living in Pennsylvania? Weird laws and oddities aside, the Keystone State is an absolutely wonderful place to live. We have four seasons, beautiful natural wonders, loads of historical sites and attractions, and some beautiful (and safe!) places to live in Pennsylvania.

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

What some consider “weird,” others consider “wonderful.” So keep that in mind with these following factoids: Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, is the mushroom capital of the world. It produces one million pounds of mushrooms per year and has an annual mushroom festival. The most haunted house in the country was once considered to be the Congeleier House on Ridge Street in Pittsburgh. Finally, the world’s largest furry convention, Anthrocon, occurs in Pittsburgh every year.

What are some fun facts about Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania is one of the oldest states, which means it’s home to many “firsts.” Here are six Pennsylvania firsts.

  • The first department store in the U.S., Wanamaker’s, was located in Philadelphia.
  • The first complete Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton is on display at the Carnegie Museum in Pittsburgh.
  • Pittsburgh is home to the first baseball stadium. The Pirates played at Forbes Field from 1909 to 1970.
  • Benjamin Franklin started the Philadelphia Zoo, the first zoo in the United States.
  • The world’s first computer was used in Philadelphia in 1946.
  • The Philadelphia Eagles and the Pittsburgh Steelers merged to form the Steaglesfor one season in 1943. The teams merged because both lost so many players to military service during WWII.

What is it like living in Pennsylvania?

Weird laws and oddities aside, the Keystone State is an absolutely wonderful place to live. We have four seasons, beautiful natural wonders, loads of historical sites and attractions, and some beautiful (and safe!) places to live in Pennsylvania.