The 8 Weirdest, Strangest, and Stupidest Laws in Minnesota

The Minnesota state legislature and municipal authorities in the various county jurisdictions across the state have enacted a series of weird ordinances over the years, and for one reason or another, they’ve never been overturned, remaining active in the books to this day.

Usually these laws appear in the books following a court ruling on a specific case that then sets a common law precedent from that point on. For instance, in the city of Cottage Grove airplanes are prohibited from landing in city parks.

Below is a list of eight strange laws from across the state of Minnesota.

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1. The Land of 10,0000 Lakes has declared mosquitoes a public nuisance

Minnesota has a record 11,842 lakes spread across the state. Due to the numerous ‘still’ water bodies, mosquitoes have become a major problem for people in the state.

So much so that the state legislature declared in an edict that “ …all areas wherein mosquitoes incubate or hatch are declared to be public nuisances, as harmful or inimical to the health, welfare and prosperity of the inhabitants and may be abated as hereinafter provided. Therefore mosquito abatement may be undertaken, as provided in sections 18.041 to 18.161, in any or all areas of the state by any governmental unit.”

2. Policemen must kill stray cats.

If any cat is found running at large, in a street, alley or public place within the confines of the city of Hibbing, it shall be the duty of a police officer to kill such cat.

3. Massage therapists must close at 11:00 p.m.

No customers or patrons are allowed to enter a licensed massage therapist business premises after 11:00 p.m. and before 6:00 a.m. daily. Customers or patrons are also not allowed to remain upon the licensed premises after 12:00 a.m. and before 6:00 a.m. daily.

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4. No tacks on sidewalks

In the city of Minnetonka in Hennepin County, it is considered a public nuisance to place or throw on any street, sidewalk or other public property, any glass, tacks, nails, bottles or other substances that may injure a person or animal or damage any pneumatic tire.

5. Don’t drive a vehicle with dirty tires

The city of Minnetonka has a long list of what it considers public nuisances. One of the rules in the list states that “A truck or other vehicle whose wheels or tires deposit mud, dirt, sticky substances, litter or other material on any street or highway will be declared a public nuisance affecting public peace, safety and general welfare.

6. People living in even-numbered addresses may not water their plants on odd-numbered days

Residents living in even-numbered addresses shall be allowed to water their lawns/gardens only on even-numbered days and on odd-numbered days for properties with odd-numbered addresses. However, any property may be watered on the thirty-first day of any month.

7. Don’t park airplanes in city parks

No one is allowed to start or land an airplane, hot air balloon, parachutes or hang gliders in any park within the city of Cottage Grove unless you obtain a permit from the city authorities.

8. Being jobless is illegal

Minnesota has very strict vagrancy rules. Any person over the age of 18 years and has the ability to work but does not seek employment is considered a vagrant and is guilty of a misdemeanor.

Sources

• Stupid Laws
• Idiot Laws
• Minnesota Legislature