The 8 Weirdest, Strangest, and Stupidest Laws in Nebraska

Nebraska, like every other state in the US, has a set of laws in its Constitution that are so obscure and strange, you wonder who thought them up. For instance, back in 1889, in the town of Lincoln, there was, believe it or not, a $1 fine for being unattractive. 

Laws such as this have weathered the test of time and despite them not being followed today, they still remain in the books. Below is a list of eight strange laws from the ‘Cornhusker’ State from the olden and recent times.

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1. Hotels must give nightshirts to each guest

This old law from the city of Hastings made it illegal for couples, even when married, to sleep together in the nude. Nor may they engage in coitus unless they are wearing one of those clean, white cotton nightshirts. This meant that hotel owners had to offer the nightshirts to their guests lest they find themselves in trouble with the law.

When starting a business in Nebraska, you need to understand the rules that the state imposes on businesses. Perhaps these guides on how to start an LLC in Nebraska and how to find a great registered agent in Nebraska can help you avoid any legal issues when opening or doing business in the state.

2. Don’t be ugly in public

This strange law from the city of Lincoln was enacted in 1989 and states that “Any person who is diseased, maimed, mutilated, or in any way deformed, so as to be an unsightly or disgusting object, or an improper person to be allowed in or on the streets, highways, thoroughfares or public places in this city, shall not therein or thereon expose himself or herself to public view, under the penalty of a fine of $1 for each offense.”

3. Persons with gonorrhea are not allowed to marry.

At the time of marriage, any male or female person in Nebraska must be seventeen years or upward in age. No person who is afflicted with a venereal disease shall marry in this state.

4. Don’t fly a plane while drunk

This might sound obvious to most people, but maybe not so much for the citizens of Nebraska as the state legislature has deemed it necessary to prohibit people from being in the physical control of an aircraft while under the influence of alcoholic liquor or any drug.

5. Horse speed limit

Another law from the early 1800s. Anyone who owned a horse or any other animal in the city of Lincoln was not allowed to ride it at a speed of more than six miles per hour within the city limits. Other activities that were banned at the time included wrestling, discharging firearms, dancing and playing loud instruments (except at funerals).

6. Barbers are not allowed to eat onions between 7 am and 12 am

This crazy law was enacted in the city of Waterloo back in 1910. It was most likely passed because most people didn’t want barbers with smelly breath being so close to them during their haircuts.

7. Don’t spit on the sidewalks

According to Hastings municipal code Sec.25-214 “it is unlawful for any person to spit upon any sidewalk or crosswalk, or upon the walk, steps, approaches or stairway leading to any public building or place of public gathering in the City.”

8. Hold your horses

In Grand Island, horses, mules and oxen are not allowed on six of the city’s streets as well as downtown without written authorization from the Chief of Police twelve hours in advance.

Sources

• Justia: Nebraska Code 42-102
• Nebraska Legislature
• Justia: Nebraska Code 28-1465
• Municode: Hastings Code
• Stupid Laws