Some laws are just laws.  Don’t kill people.  Don’t steal cars.  Or police cars.  Don’t deface property.  Don’t not pay your taxes.  But, with the Halloween season fast approaching, I thought it would be fun to find some laws that are specifically related to Halloween.

Some are kind of boring, like in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware it’s against the law to trick or treat after 8:00 PM.  In Dublin, Georgia, it’s against the law to wear dark sunglasses or a hood.  Considering that’s smack in the middle of Klanville, I’d say that’s a good thing, wouldn’t you?  In Walnut, California, you have to obtain a permit to wear a mask on Halloween.  That’s a little weirder.  I wonder if they have to approve the mask…

this is fine

get out of my office

Another one, that I like slightly more, is that it’s illegal to dress like a priest on Halloween in Alabama.  This allowed me to make my own custom graphic, seen here.

I imagine their Community Outreach program will be contacting me for the rights any moment now.

My favorite Halloween related law so far is this one – In Huntsville Alabama, anybody in an animal control officer uniform IS an actual animal control officer.  Think about it.

Do you know any more wacky Halloween laws?  Comment, you ghouls!

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Just in case you were planning one, it is illegal to cause a catastrophe in Utah.  Just in case you don’t believe me, here is the full text of the law, courtesy of dumblaws.com.

76-6-105 Causing a catastrophe.  (1) Any person who by explosion, fire, flood, avalanche, collapse of a building, release of a poison gas, radioactive material, or other harmful or destructive force or substance, or by any other means, causes a widespread injury or damage to persons or property is guilty of causing a catastrophe. (2) Causing a catastrophe is a felony of the second degree if the person causes it knowingly and a class A misdemeanor if caused recklessly.
Enacted by Chapter 196, 1973 General Session

So, provided that you’re not really out to cause a catastrophe INTENTIONALLY, let’s go over some basics to make sure you don’t cause one “recklessly.”  Because that’s still a misdemeanor, Dawg.

Explosions

Utah fireworks laws specifically prohibit firecrackers, cherry bombs, cannon crackers, roman candles, chasers, whistlers, and salutes.  You’re allowed to have ground spinners, flitter sparklers, fountains (so long as they don’t go higher than fifteen feet), snakes, and glow worms.  So that’s good.

Fire

Don’t set fires, unless they’re in your fireplace, and you’re not stupid.

Flood

As long as you manage not to damage any of the 384 dam locations found in Utah, I think you’re pretty safe.

Avalanche

According to the Friends of Utah Avalanche Center, it is possible to set off an avalanche in Utah, so this is a real problem.  I image that if you’re super careful and STILL set off an avalanche you’re in the clear.  It’s RECKLESSLY setting off an avalanche that can get you in trouble.  Avalanches are pretty common in Utah, so if you want to avoid them I’d suggest staying out of the snow.

Collapse of a Building

Don’t collapse buildings.  Not even for fun.

Release of a Poison Gas

Stay away from poison gases.

Radioactive Material

Really?  Unless you’re an evil genius (and if you are, you’re probably ALL ABOUT causing a catastrophe) you probably don’t have access to radioactive materials.  Oh yeah, and if you’re a scientist you do.  But if you’re a scientist you know how to handle that stuff.  Right?  Right??

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