The 8 Weirdest, Strangest, and Stupidest Laws in Washington

Did you know that it’s illegal to kill a sasquatch in Skamania County? Also, all candidates running for public office in the state of Washington are not allowed, by law, to purchase alcohol for anyone other than their family members while polls are open.

These are just some of the many weird laws in the ‘Evergreen State’. Most of these laws have been on the books for ages and are not as heavily enforced as they used to be, but surprisingly not all of them are old; some have been revised or amended to fit with modern times. 

Below is an interesting list of eight peculiar laws from Washington that all residents should be keen to heed.

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1. Sasquatch lives matter

On April 1, 1969, the Board of Commissioners of Skamania County adopted an edict for the protection of sasquatch (also known as a yeti, bigfoot, or giant hairy ape). The ordinance has been partially repealed and amended since, and the revised ordinance went into effect on April 2, 1984. The amended ordinance declared the animal “an endangered species” and created a “Sasquatch Refuge”. The nearby Whatcom County also adopted a resolution that declares the county a sasquatch protection and refuge area.

2. Candidates for office shouldn’t purchase beer until the polls end

Any candidate vying for any official position in the state is not allowed to purchase alcoholic drinks for anyone other than his/her family members, in or upon any premises licensed by the state during the hours that the polls are open on the day of such election.

3. No more than two flushing toilets in every household

Waldron Island, a small unincorporated island community in San Juan County, has a population of about 104 residents. Due to an increasing population, the community is forced to ration certain essential resources like water. In order to address this situation, the communal authority passed a law prohibiting people from having more than two flushing toilets in their houses.

4. Don’t attach vending machines to utility poles

According to Washington law (RCW 70.54.090), “to attach to utility poles any of the following: Advertising signs, posters, vending machines, or any similar object which presents a hazard to, or endangers the lives of, electrical workers.”  However, with permission from the utility company, an attachment may be placed not less than twelve feet above the surface of the ground.

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

5. The law requires you to stay at home if you have a cold

According to Washington law (RCW 70.54.050), “Every person who shall willfully expose himself to another, or any animal affected with any contagious or infectious disease, in any public place or thoroughfare, except upon his or its necessary removal in a manner not dangerous to the public health; and every person so affected who shall expose any other person thereto without his knowledge, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.”

6. It’s illegal to breastfeed in public

This law was repealed in 2001. A new law has decreed that breastfeeding is, in fact, not indecent exposure and another 2009 law expands mothers’ rights by stating that women cannot be asked to cover up or move to a restroom by any business.

7. Pay-to-use restrooms should have an equal amount of free restrooms

It is rumoured that this Washington law was enacted after the Speaker of the State House of Representatives ran off to an all-pay facility without a dime in his pocket.

8. Dancers in adult clubs should keep the government-mandated distance from their customers

In Spokane County, any dancer employed by an adult entertainment establishment must keep a government-mandated distance of four feet from the client while performing.The distance of four feet is measured from the torso of the dancer to the torso of the member of the public.

Sources

• Stupid Laws
• Asknoypi
• My Northwest