Every state has some questionable laws on the books and New Jersey is no different. There are certainly still some weird New Jersey laws. Throughout the years, politicians have established some pretty strange policies, many of which may have you scratching your head. The following curious items were once, or are currently, illegal, despite how ridiculous they might seem. A few have slipped by, staying on the books by oversight. While they may not be enforced, these weird laws in New Jersey are still fun to read about!
- In the state of New Jersey, it is illegal to frown at a cop.
Glen Pozhegu/Flickr You better smile when you get that speeding ticket.
- In Bernards Township, it’s illegal to frown at all.
Dasha/Flickr Turn that frown upside down, or else.
- If convicted of driving under the influence, you’re no longer allowed to have custom license plates.
Jason McHuff/Flickr No more JERZ4LIFE for you. Just don’t frown about it!
- In Blairstown, it’s illegal to plant trees along the street that “obscure the air.”
Jon Bunting/Flickr Obscure visibility, sure, obscure the air? How?
- In Haddon Township, it is illegal to annoy someone of the opposite sex.
Rootytootoot/Flickr Statute 175-12, in case you’d like to remind your opposite sex sibling.
- It is illegal to slurp your soup in a public place.
GlasgowFoodie/Flickr Suck it up buttercup, use a spoon. But don’t slurp it off your spoon either, or else.
- In Trenton, it is illegal to eat pickles on Sundays.
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr It is also illegal to toss a bad pickle into the road. They’re very serious about their pickles.
- In Newark, it is illegal to purchase ice cream after 6 pm without a doctor’s note.
Jen/Flickr Potential penalties for breaking the New Jersey ice cream law include hefty fines, and store owners can face consequences as well. Selling sugary goodness in the evening? This is what’s wrong with society and it must be stopped.
- It is illegal for birds to poop on statues.
Jazz Guy/Flickr It is probably also illegal for humans…
- It is illegal for a man to knit during fishing season.
Patti Haskins/Flickr You don’t want to put those reeling fingers at risk.
- It is illegal to wear a bulletproof vest while committing a murder.
Library of Congress/Wikipedia It is also illegal to commit murder. Wear a bulletproof vest while you’re doing it and you’ll serve double time.
- In Manville, it is illegal to offer alcohol or tobacco to zoo animals.
Tho (mas) Pickering/Flickr Well, there go my weekend plans.
While this list of weird laws in New Jersey was compiled from the most reliable sources possible, this IS still the Internet. Do you have any more information on these strange statues, or are there any other weird laws in NJ you can add? Please share your most fascinating weird New Jersey laws with us in a comment.
Glen Pozhegu/Flickr
You better smile when you get that speeding ticket.
Dasha/Flickr
Turn that frown upside down, or else.
Jason McHuff/Flickr
No more JERZ4LIFE for you. Just don’t frown about it!
Jon Bunting/Flickr
Obscure visibility, sure, obscure the air? How?
Rootytootoot/Flickr
Statute 175-12, in case you’d like to remind your opposite sex sibling.
GlasgowFoodie/Flickr
Suck it up buttercup, use a spoon. But don’t slurp it off your spoon either, or else.
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr
It is also illegal to toss a bad pickle into the road. They’re very serious about their pickles.
Jen/Flickr
Potential penalties for breaking the New Jersey ice cream law include hefty fines, and store owners can face consequences as well. Selling sugary goodness in the evening? This is what’s wrong with society and it must be stopped.
Jazz Guy/Flickr
It is probably also illegal for humans…
Patti Haskins/Flickr
You don’t want to put those reeling fingers at risk.
Library of Congress/Wikipedia
It is also illegal to commit murder. Wear a bulletproof vest while you’re doing it and you’ll serve double time.
Tho (mas) Pickering/Flickr
Well, there go my weekend plans.
For more fun facts about the Garden State, check out this article about wild New Jersey facts.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
The OIYS Visitor Center
weird laws in New Jersey November 24, 2021 Sarah What are some weird things people in New Jersey do? New Jerseyans are a diverse bunch, but there are some things that the majority of us have in common – things that separate us from other states. Here are a few things that New Jerseyans do that are weird (to outsiders), quirky or otherwise unique. You’ll probably find yourself nodding to many of the items on this list, and also wondering what makes them seem so weird! For example, in the Garden State, we love our grease trucks, and pies – and we’re not talking about pumpkin and pecan. We also refer to the state by “Jersey,” and when one of us does that, we all know what we’re talking about… it’s not confusing or weird to us! What are some weird facts about New Jersey? Looking for some weird and fun facts to whip out at your next get together? You’ve come to the right place! Here we go: first, New Jersey has its own volcano! Yep - you read that right. Extinct for 440 million years, you can find what remains at Rutan Hill in Wantage Township (pictured). The site is well-regarded by geologists due to the presence of a rare type of igneous rock. Here’s a fun one: Hoboken was home to America’s first brewery, established in 1642. There are so many amazing facts about Hoboken, I could write a whole article about it! Let me know if you’d be interested. I’ll even throw in a bonus fact right now…Hoboken was also home to America’s first official supper club. Members included George Washington, Aaron Burr, and Alexander Hamilton. You’re welcome, America! You can read about more weird and wild New Jersey facts in this article. Where are some weird places in New Jersey I can visit? If you’re looking for a weird and unique experience in New Jersey, head to Luna Parc. This off-the-beaten-path attraction is a hidden gem owned by Ricky Boscarino – an eclectic multimedia artist who also makes this part-time museum his home and art studio. With so much to explore, a visit to Luna Parc has something fun for everyone in your family to see! Prepare to amazed when you first set your eyes on Luna Parc. Aside from being tucked away in the woods, you’ll be “wowed” by the artist’s creativity. When you visit, you’ll be able to enjoy the artist’s showroom - filled with spooky art, jewelry, oddities, and more.
The OIYS Visitor Center
weird laws in New Jersey
November 24, 2021
Sarah
What are some weird things people in New Jersey do? New Jerseyans are a diverse bunch, but there are some things that the majority of us have in common – things that separate us from other states. Here are a few things that New Jerseyans do that are weird (to outsiders), quirky or otherwise unique. You’ll probably find yourself nodding to many of the items on this list, and also wondering what makes them seem so weird! For example, in the Garden State, we love our grease trucks, and pies – and we’re not talking about pumpkin and pecan. We also refer to the state by “Jersey,” and when one of us does that, we all know what we’re talking about… it’s not confusing or weird to us! What are some weird facts about New Jersey? Looking for some weird and fun facts to whip out at your next get together? You’ve come to the right place! Here we go: first, New Jersey has its own volcano! Yep - you read that right. Extinct for 440 million years, you can find what remains at Rutan Hill in Wantage Township (pictured). The site is well-regarded by geologists due to the presence of a rare type of igneous rock. Here’s a fun one: Hoboken was home to America’s first brewery, established in 1642. There are so many amazing facts about Hoboken, I could write a whole article about it! Let me know if you’d be interested. I’ll even throw in a bonus fact right now…Hoboken was also home to America’s first official supper club. Members included George Washington, Aaron Burr, and Alexander Hamilton. You’re welcome, America! You can read about more weird and wild New Jersey facts in this article. Where are some weird places in New Jersey I can visit? If you’re looking for a weird and unique experience in New Jersey, head to Luna Parc. This off-the-beaten-path attraction is a hidden gem owned by Ricky Boscarino – an eclectic multimedia artist who also makes this part-time museum his home and art studio. With so much to explore, a visit to Luna Parc has something fun for everyone in your family to see! Prepare to amazed when you first set your eyes on Luna Parc. Aside from being tucked away in the woods, you’ll be “wowed” by the artist’s creativity. When you visit, you’ll be able to enjoy the artist’s showroom - filled with spooky art, jewelry, oddities, and more.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
New Jerseyans are a diverse bunch, but there are some things that the majority of us have in common – things that separate us from other states. Here are a few things that New Jerseyans do that are weird (to outsiders), quirky or otherwise unique. You’ll probably find yourself nodding to many of the items on this list, and also wondering what makes them seem so weird! For example, in the Garden State, we love our grease trucks, and pies – and we’re not talking about pumpkin and pecan. We also refer to the state by “Jersey,” and when one of us does that, we all know what we’re talking about… it’s not confusing or weird to us!
What are some weird facts about New Jersey?
Looking for some weird and fun facts to whip out at your next get together? You’ve come to the right place! Here we go: first, New Jersey has its own volcano! Yep - you read that right. Extinct for 440 million years, you can find what remains at Rutan Hill in Wantage Township (pictured). The site is well-regarded by geologists due to the presence of a rare type of igneous rock. Here’s a fun one: Hoboken was home to America’s first brewery, established in 1642. There are so many amazing facts about Hoboken, I could write a whole article about it! Let me know if you’d be interested. I’ll even throw in a bonus fact right now…Hoboken was also home to America’s first official supper club. Members included George Washington, Aaron Burr, and Alexander Hamilton. You’re welcome, America! You can read about more weird and wild New Jersey facts in this article.
Where are some weird places in New Jersey I can visit?
If you’re looking for a weird and unique experience in New Jersey, head to Luna Parc. This off-the-beaten-path attraction is a hidden gem owned by Ricky Boscarino – an eclectic multimedia artist who also makes this part-time museum his home and art studio. With so much to explore, a visit to Luna Parc has something fun for everyone in your family to see! Prepare to amazed when you first set your eyes on Luna Parc. Aside from being tucked away in the woods, you’ll be “wowed” by the artist’s creativity. When you visit, you’ll be able to enjoy the artist’s showroom - filled with spooky art, jewelry, oddities, and more.
