Totally Illegal
Copyright © 2026 Edward Benson
All rights reserved.
Every law in this book was verified against a named statute, ordinance, or regulation, or a credible news report of real enforcement. Citations for every law are in the answer key at the back.
Published by The Robot Book Club
North America
The land of the free is also the land of the very, very specific rule. City councils here will outlaw almost anything at least once — and the paperwork never dies.
No. 1 · Gainesville, Georgia, USA
It is completely illegal to eat fried chicken with a knife, fork, or any other utensil; you must eat it with your bare hands.
Why Is This a Law?
In 1961, the city declared itself the poultry capital of the world. Lawmakers passed this eccentric publicity stunt to honor their billion-dollar chicken agriculture industry.
No. 2 · Severance, Colorado, USA
It is strictly forbidden to throw snowballs anywhere within the town limits.
Why Is This a Law?
In 1920, the town banned throwing any missiles at people, animals, or buildings to prevent vandalism. Because a snowball qualified as a missile, generations of children were technically breaking the law.
No. 3 · Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, USA
You cannot wear shoes with heels taller than two inches or with a base smaller than one square inch without an official permit.
Why Is This a Law?
In the 1960s, tree roots grew under the sidewalks, making the pavement extremely uneven. The city wrote this law to prevent lawsuits from people tripping in stiletto heels.
No. 4 · Arkansas, USA
The state's name must legally be pronounced in three syllables, with a silent final "s" and the accent on the first and last syllables.
Why Is This a Law?
The state's name comes from a Native American tribe, but French explorers added a plural "s." In 1881, the legislature legally mandated the French pronunciation to end a bitter feud between two senators.
No. 5 · Canada
It is a criminal offense to fraudulently pretend to use witchcraft, sorcery, enchantment, or conjuration to solve problems.
Why Is This a Law?
Dating back to 1892, this was an early anti-scam law. It was designed to stop con artists from tricking frightened people into paying them money to lift fake curses.
No. 6 · Alberta, Canada
A person must not paint a wooden ladder, though they are allowed to coat it in a clear protective varnish.
Why Is This a Law?
This is a brilliant workplace safety regulation. Paint is opaque and would hide dangerous cracks or rot in the wood, causing a worker to climb a broken ladder and fall.
No. 7 · Mexico City, Mexico
Depending on the last digit of your car's license plate, there is one specific day every week where it is illegal to drive it.
Why Is This a Law?
Mexico City sits in a high-altitude valley that traps air pollution. In 1989, smog became so toxic the government restricted driving to instantly remove twenty percent of exhaust fumes.
No. 8 · Canada
A cashier can legally refuse your payment if you try to use too many coins in a single transaction.
Why Is This a Law?
This law exists to keep the economy moving. It stops angry people from holding up store lines by paying large bills entirely in pocket change.
Myth or Law?
The North America Challenge
You've survived the weirdest rules North America has to offer, but your final test is to spot a total fake. Two of the laws below are absolutely real, while one is a massive internet lie. Trust your instincts and see if you can catch the imposter!
- You are strictly forbidden from painting a wooden ladder, though you may coat it in a clear protective varnish.
- In California, it is strictly illegal to eat a fresh orange while you are actively taking a bath.
- Cashiers in Canada can legally refuse your payment if you attempt to use too many coins in a single transaction.
Two are real laws, one is a famous fake. Verdicts and evidence are in the answer key at the back.
Europe
Centuries of kings, empires, and extremely dedicated clerks left Europe with rule books thicker than castle walls. Some of those rules never got deleted.
No. 9 · United Kingdom
It is a criminal offense to handle a salmon in suspicious circumstances.
Why Is This a Law?
This law was designed to combat illegal poaching and underground fish-smuggling rings. By making it illegal to handle poached fish, police could arrest black-market smugglers.
No. 10 · Switzerland
It is completely illegal to own just one guinea pig because they get too lonely; they must live in pairs or groups.
Why Is This a Law?
Scientists proved that guinea pigs are highly social herd animals that suffer severe psychological stress when kept alone. Recognizing their emotional needs, the government mandated they must live with companions.
No. 11 · Germany
It is illegal to stop your car on the highway just because you ran out of gas.
Why Is This a Law?
The German Autobahn features stretches of road with no speed limits, making stopping incredibly dangerous. Running out of fuel is considered a completely preventable human error.
No. 12 · London, England
It is strictly forbidden to wear a full suit of armor inside the Houses of Parliament.
Why Is This a Law?
In 1313, furious noblemen kept showing up to Parliament wearing battle armor and carrying swords to intimidate King Edward II. To stop the bullying, the King banned armor in parliament.
No. 13 · Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France
The flying over, landing, or taking off of flying saucers is strictly forbidden, and any alien craft will be impounded.
Why Is This a Law?
During a 1954 wave of UFO hysteria, the local mayor realized a ban would get free global advertising for his town's wine. He wrote a serious-sounding anti-UFO law, and journalists flocked there.
No. 14 · Venice, Italy
It is illegal to sell birdseed to or feed the pigeons in St. Mark's Square.
Why Is This a Law?
The city's massive pigeon population was pecking at microscopic gaps in ancient statues to find crumbs. Their highly acidic droppings were severely eroding priceless marble, costing taxpayers millions.
No. 15 · Eraclea, Italy
It is completely illegal to build sandcastles or dig deep holes on the public beaches.
Why Is This a Law?
Giant sand structures and abandoned deep holes create severe safety hazards on crowded beaches. They block emergency rescue workers, cause tripped ankles, and stop night-time beach cleaning tractors from operating safely.
No. 16 · Barcelona, Spain
It is illegal to walk on the city streets wearing only swimwear or going bare-chested outside of the immediate beach area.
Why Is This a Law?
Millions of tourists began treating the historic metropolis like a giant resort, wandering into banks and cathedrals in wet swimsuits. Fed up with the disrespect, the city mandated real clothes off the sand.
Myth or Law?
The Europe Challenge
You have toured the continent, but can you spot the fake among the facts? Two of these European laws are totally real, while one is a legendary internet fib. See if you can sniff out the imposter!
- It is strictly illegal to own a single guinea pig, as they must be kept in pairs or groups.
- It is completely illegal in France to name a pet pig Napoleon out of respect for the former emperor.
- It is a traffic offense to stop your vehicle on the highway just because you ran out of gas.
Two are real laws, one is a famous fake. Verdicts and evidence are in the answer key at the back.
Asia & Oceania
From megacities with rules about chewing gum to islands with rules about nearly everything else, this half of the world takes its details very seriously.
No. 17 · Western Australia
It is illegal to possess 50 kilograms or more of potatoes unless you are an authorized agent of the Potato Corporation.
Why Is This a Law?
Following World War II, the government wanted to ensure a steady food supply and protect small farmers. They created a corporation to strictly control every potato grown and sold in the state.
No. 18 · Victoria, Australia
It is completely illegal to correspond with, or engage in any kind of business with, a pirate.
Why Is This a Law?
This is a holdover from an era when maritime security was a massive global concern. To prevent locals from laundering stolen treasure or hiding ships, the government made it a severe crime to even send pirates a letter.
No. 19 · South Australia
It is a legal offense to ring another home's doorbell or knock on their door without a reasonable excuse.
Why Is This a Law?
This law was designed to combat neighborhood nuisances and the classic childhood prank known as ding-dong-ditch. It ensures that people have a legitimate right to peace and quiet inside their own homes.
No. 20 · Singapore
The importation of any chewing gum into the country is strictly prohibited, with only minor exceptions for dental gum.
Why Is This a Law?
In the 1980s, vandals began sticking chewed gum onto the door sensors of the brand-new subway trains, causing massive delays. The government solved the hygiene problem by banning gum entirely.
No. 21 · Singapore
It is illegal to intentionally feed pigeons or other wildlife in public spaces without written government approval.
Why Is This a Law?
Mercy feeding by well-meaning citizens caused the population of invasive rock pigeons to explode. To protect public hygiene from highly acidic, disease-ridden droppings, the government made tossing bread to birds a serious offense.
No. 22 · Thailand
It is a serious criminal offense to step on any Thai currency, whether it is a coin or a paper note.
Why Is This a Law?
In Thai culture, the feet are considered the lowest part of the body, while the head is the most sacred. Because all currency features the revered King's portrait, stepping on his face is viewed as a profound, intentional insult.
No. 23 · Thailand
It is illegal to drive a motorized vehicle, including cars and rented scooters, without wearing a shirt.
Why Is This a Law?
Despite the sweltering tropical heat, local culture places a high value on polite dress and modesty in public spaces. The government passed this law to stop shirtless tourists from treating the roads like a giant beach party.
No. 24 · New Zealand
It is entirely illegal for any nuclear-powered ship to enter the country's waters.
Why Is This a Law?
During the Cold War, citizens grew terrified of the global arms race and the environmental effects of oceanic nuclear testing. Driven by massive public protests, the government established one of the strictest anti-nuclear laws in world history.
Myth or Law?
The Asia & Oceania Challenge
You have toured the strict city-states, the colonial rulebooks, and the royal decrees of Asia and Oceania. Now it is time to put your legal radar to the test. Can you spot the fake statute hiding among the real ones?
- It is a severe criminal offense to send a letter to, or engage in any kind of business with, a pirate.
- It is a punishable criminal offense to step outside your house or hotel without wearing underwear.
- It is strictly prohibited to bring any chewing gum into the country unless it is for medical or dental reasons.
Two are real laws, one is a famous fake. Verdicts and evidence are in the answer key at the back.
Africa, the Middle East & South America
Three continents, thousands of jurisdictions, and some of the most wonderfully specific laws ever committed to paper.
No. 25 · Kenya
It is completely illegal to manufacture, sell, or even carry a single-use plastic grocery bag.
Why Is This a Law?
Plastic bags were severely polluting the landscape and harming wildlife, with cows frequently found with bags in their stomachs. The government enacted the world's strictest ban to solve this environmental crisis.
No. 26 · Rosario, Argentina
Parents are legally banned from registering the name "Messi" as their newborn baby's first name.
Why Is This a Law?
After a father in another province named his son after soccer legend Lionel Messi, officials feared a massive wave of identical names. They proactively banned it to prevent total administrative chaos in the hometown.
No. 27 · Brazil
It is strictly forbidden for drivers to operate a fuel pump; all gasoline must be pumped by a professional attendant.
Why Is This a Law?
When automated self-service pumps spread globally in the 1990s, they threatened the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of Brazilian gas station workers. The government banned the machines to protect these jobs.
No. 28 · Brazil
For people working the night shift, one legal hour is officially counted as exactly 52 minutes and 30 seconds.
Why Is This a Law?
In 1943, the government recognized that working in the middle of the night is physically harder than daytime work. By shortening the legal hour, night workers reach their overtime pay much faster.
No. 29 · South Africa
Herders and their livestock, like cows and goats, have the absolute right of way on public roads over all motor vehicles.
Why Is This a Law?
Vast rural spaces mean traditional livestock herding constantly intersects with modern asphalt highways. This law protects agricultural livelihoods from speeding drivers who might otherwise run animals off the road.
No. 30 · South Africa
It is entirely illegal to dye an animal's fur or feathers for decorative purposes.
Why Is This a Law?
This law combats internet trends where people attempt to dye puppies or ducklings bright neon colors for fashion. It prevents chemical toxicity and severe harm to the animal's skin.
No. 31 · Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Leaving a highly unwashed, dirty car in a public parking space is an illegal offense.
Why Is This a Law?
Desert dust storms are frequent, but neglected cars tarnish the city's pristine, ultra-modern aesthetic. The government considers a heavily dirt-caked vehicle to be unacceptable visual pollution.
No. 32 · Bogotá, Colombia
Motorcyclists were legally required to print their vehicle's license plate number in giant reflective letters on the back of their safety helmets.
Why Is This a Law?
Implemented to combat drive-by crimes committed by riders whose faces were hidden by visors. Authorities needed a way to identify fleeing bikes on security cameras, effectively turning heads into license plates.
Myth or Law?
The Africa, the Middle East & South America Challenge
You have seen some unbelievably bizarre rules across Africa, the Middle East, and South America, but can you spot a fake? Two of the laws below are completely real, while one is just a famous internet rumor. Can you guess which one is the myth?
- Witches are legally prohibited from flying their broomsticks higher than 150 meters in the air.
- It is a strict legal offense to dye an animal's fur or feathers bright colors for decorative fashion.
- Leaving an excessively dusty and unwashed car parked in any public space is a punishable offense.
Two are real laws, one is a famous fake. Verdicts and evidence are in the answer key at the back.
Laws About Animals
Most laws boss around people. These ones boss around donkeys, guinea pigs, kangaroos, and at least one extremely well-protected pigeon.
No. 33 · Rome, Italy
It is completely illegal to keep goldfish in round, spherical bowls or to give them away as fairground prizes.
Why Is This a Law?
Animal rights experts explained that round fishbowls do not provide enough surface area for oxygen, slowly suffocating the fish. They also argued the curved glass causes fish to go blind. The city passed a sweeping statute to outlaw the classic bowl entirely.
No. 34 · Quitman, Georgia, USA
It is unlawful for anyone owning domestic fowl to allow their chickens, ducks, or geese to cross the road or run in the streets.
Why Is This a Law?
As the town grew from a rural farming area into a populated city, loose farm animals became a major nuisance. Chickens blocking traffic or destroying gardens led the city to draft an ordinance holding owners strictly liable.
No. 35 · Kingman, Arizona, USA
It is illegal to allow a donkey to sleep in a bathtub.
Why Is This a Law?
In 1924, a local merchant allowed his donkey to sleep in an abandoned porcelain bathtub near a dry riverbed. A flash flood swept the makeshift boat miles downstream with the donkey trapped inside. After an exhausting rescue operation, the town council banned the practice.
No. 36 · United Kingdom
All whales, dolphins, and sturgeons caught within three miles of the coast or washed ashore are the personal property of the reigning monarch.
Why Is This a Law?
In medieval England, these sea creatures were considered creatures of superior excellence, perfectly suited for the monarch's consumption. Historically, the King owned the head of the whale while the Queen took the tail for corset materials.
No. 37 · Briollay, France
Mosquitoes are officially outlawed and banned from entering the borders of the village.
Why Is This a Law?
Following severe river flooding in 2018, the village was subjected to an apocalyptic invasion of mosquitoes. Angry residents demanded action from the mayor, who drafted a theatrical decree banning the bugs to show he was listening but powerless to control nature.
No. 38 · New South Wales, Australia
Members of the public are legally prohibited from holding, carrying, or supporting the physical weight of a koala.
Why Is This a Law?
Koalas are solitary, low-energy marsupials that require up to twenty hours of sleep a day. Being constantly lifted and held by strangers causes extreme psychological stress. Animal welfare scientists successfully lobbied governments to ban tourist cuddling to protect the species.
No. 39 · Poland
Any dog traveling outside a carrier on a national train must be kept on a leash and wear a muzzle for the entire journey.
Why Is This a Law?
As pet travel skyrocketed in the country, authorities needed to balance the comfort of families with the safety of strangers in confined passenger cars. To prevent bites and disputes, a blanket muzzle rule was applied to all dogs regardless of size.
No. 40 · Norway
A specific king penguin holds an official, legally recognized military rank within the Armed Forces, requiring human soldiers to salute him.
Why Is This a Law?
In 1972, a Norwegian lieutenant arranged for the King's Guard to adopt a penguin at the Edinburgh Zoo. Because strict military regulations require periodic promotions for longevity, the penguin and his successors have steadily climbed the military hierarchy over the decades.
Myth or Law?
The Laws About Animals Challenge
You have just survived a wild tour of the world's strangest animal legislation, but can your legal radar spot a fake? Two of these laws are completely genuine, while one is a legendary internet rumor. Can you guess which of these animal rules is the myth?
- It is legally forbidden for mosquitoes to enter or fly within the official borders of the village.
- It is explicitly a crime to serve beer or any other alcoholic beverage to a moose within city limits.
- It is strictly unlawful for any citizen to allow a domestic donkey to sleep inside a bathtub.
Two are real laws, one is a famous fake. Verdicts and evidence are in the answer key at the back.
The Answer Key & The Evidence
Chapter 1 · North America
Myth or Law? — the verdicts
- Real law — You are strictly forbidden from painting a wooden ladder, though you may coat it in a clear protective varnish. — This is a real workplace regulation from the Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Code, Part 8, ensuring paint doesn't hide dangerous cracked wood.
- Busted myth — In California, it is strictly illegal to eat a fresh orange while you are actively taking a bath. — This is a famous fake that started when internet trolls mutated an actual California rule against eating on public transit into a ridiculous bathtub myth.
- Real law — Cashiers in Canada can legally refuse your payment if you attempt to use too many coins in a single transaction. — This is real and can be found in the Canada Currency Act of 1985, Section 8.2, which prevents people from purposely slowing down checkout lines.
The evidence
- No. 1 — Gainesville, Georgia, USA — Gainesville City Ordinance (1961); 2009 Food Republic report (technically enforceable)
- No. 2 — Severance, Colorado, USA — Severance Municipal Code § 10-5-80 (repealed 2018) (repealed 2018)
- No. 3 — Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, USA — Carmel Municipal Code (passed 1963) (technically enforceable)
- No. 4 — Arkansas, USA — Arkansas Code Title 1, Chapter 4, Section 1-4-105 (still on the books)
- No. 5 — Canada — Criminal Code of Canada, Section 365 (repealed 2018)
- No. 6 — Alberta, Canada — Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Code, Part 8 (still on the books)
- No. 7 — Mexico City, Mexico — Hoy No Circula Environmental Program (1989) (still on the books)
- No. 8 — Canada — Canada Currency Act, Section 8.2 (1985) (still on the books)
Chapter 2 · Europe
Myth or Law? — the verdicts
- Real law — It is strictly illegal to own a single guinea pig, as they must be kept in pairs or groups. — This is a real law in Switzerland! To protect herd animals from loneliness, it was mandated by the Swiss Animal Protection Ordinance of 2008, Article 13.
- Busted myth — It is completely illegal in France to name a pet pig Napoleon out of respect for the former emperor. — This is a famous fake! The myth actually started when a nervous French publisher voluntarily changed a dictator pig's name to Cesar in the 1947 translation of George Orwell's book Animal Farm.
- Real law — It is a traffic offense to stop your vehicle on the highway just because you ran out of gas. — This is a real law in Germany! It is enforced by the Straßenverkehrsordnung (StVO) sections 18 and 23, which classify an empty tank as a preventable human error.
The evidence
- No. 9 — United Kingdom — The Salmon Act 1986, Section 32 (still on the books)
- No. 10 — Switzerland — Swiss Animal Protection Ordinance (2008), Art. 13 (still on the books)
- No. 11 — Germany — Straßenverkehrsordnung (StVO) § 18 and § 23 (still on the books)
- No. 12 — London, England — The Statute Forbidding Bearing of Armour 1313 (technically enforceable)
- No. 13 — Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France — 1954 Municipal Decree of Châteauneuf-du-Pape (still on the books)
- No. 14 — Venice, Italy — 2008 Venetian Mayoral Decree (still on the books)
- No. 15 — Eraclea, Italy — Eraclea Municipal Code / Coastal Bylaws (still on the books)
- No. 16 — Barcelona, Spain — Barcelona City Council Civil Conduct Bylaws (still on the books)
Chapter 3 · Asia & Oceania
Myth or Law? — the verdicts
- Real law — It is a severe criminal offense to send a letter to, or engage in any kind of business with, a pirate. — This is a real law in Victoria, Australia, found in the Crimes Act 1958 (Vic), Section 70C.
- Busted myth — It is a punishable criminal offense to step outside your house or hotel without wearing underwear. — This is a famous fake travel myth about Thailand. It stems from a massive misunderstanding of their general public decency and modesty regulations.
- Real law — It is strictly prohibited to bring any chewing gum into the country unless it is for medical or dental reasons. — This is a real law in Singapore, officially listed under the Imports and Exports Regulations 1999, Section 3.
The evidence
- No. 17 — Western Australia — Marketing of Potatoes Act 1946 (WA), Sec. 22 (repealed 2021)
- No. 18 — Victoria, Australia — Crimes Act 1958 (Vic), Sec. 70C (still on the books)
- No. 19 — South Australia — Summary Offences Act 1953 (SA), Sec. 50 (still on the books)
- No. 20 — Singapore — Imports and Exports Regulations 1999, Sec. 3 (still on the books)
- No. 21 — Singapore — Wildlife Act (Amended 2020) (still on the books)
- No. 22 — Thailand — Criminal Code of Thailand, Lese Majeste (still on the books)
- No. 23 — Thailand — Land Traffic Act B.E. 2522 (1979) (still on the books)
- No. 24 — New Zealand — New Zealand Nuclear Free Zone Act 1987 (still on the books)
Chapter 4 · Africa, the Middle East & South America
Myth or Law? — the verdicts
- Busted myth — Witches are legally prohibited from flying their broomsticks higher than 150 meters in the air. — This is a famous fake from Eswatini, formerly Swaziland. A civil aviation official made a sarcastic joke about drone airspace limits applying to absolutely everything in the sky, and international reporters mistakenly published his joke as a literal law.
- Real law — It is a strict legal offense to dye an animal's fur or feathers bright colors for decorative fashion. — This is entirely true in South Africa to prevent chemical cruelty to pets. It is heavily enforced under the Animals Protection Act No. 71 of 1962.
- Real law — Leaving an excessively dusty and unwashed car parked in any public space is a punishable offense. — This is a real law in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, designed to prevent visual pollution in the luxury city. It is enforced under the Dubai Municipality Waste Management Regulations.
The evidence
- No. 25 — Kenya — Environmental Management and Coordination Act (2017) (still on the books)
- No. 26 — Rosario, Argentina — Civil Register of Santa Fe Province Ruling (2014) (still on the books)
- No. 27 — Brazil — Federal Law No. 9,956 of 2000 (still on the books)
- No. 28 — Brazil — Consolidação das Leis do Trabalho, Article 73 (still on the books)
- No. 29 — South Africa — National Road Traffic Act 93 of 1996 (technically enforceable)
- No. 30 — South Africa — Animals Protection Act No. 71 of 1962 (still on the books)
- No. 31 — Dubai, United Arab Emirates — Dubai Municipality Waste Management Regulations (still on the books)
- No. 32 — Bogotá, Colombia — Bogotá Decree 119 of 2022 (repealed 2022)
Chapter 5 · Laws About Animals
Myth or Law? — the verdicts
- Real law — It is legally forbidden for mosquitoes to enter or fly within the official borders of the village. — This is a real law from Briollay, France, enacted via a Mayoral Decree by Mayor André Marchand in July 2018.
- Busted myth — It is explicitly a crime to serve beer or any other alcoholic beverage to a moose within city limits. — This is a famous fake! There is no such Alaskan law, but the legend was inspired by real moose occasionally gorging on fermented apples and stumbling around drunk.
- Real law — It is strictly unlawful for any citizen to allow a domestic donkey to sleep inside a bathtub. — This is a real law from Kingman, Arizona, USA. It was written into the Kingman City Ordinance around 1924 after a donkey sleeping in a tub was swept away by a flood.
The evidence
- No. 33 — Rome, Italy — Rome Office for Animal Rights By-law (2005) (still on the books)
- No. 34 — Quitman, Georgia, USA — Quitman Code of Ordinances, Section 8-1 (still on the books)
- No. 35 — Kingman, Arizona, USA — Kingman City Ordinance (circa 1924) (still on the books)
- No. 36 — United Kingdom — Prerogativa Regis, a 1324 statute under King Edward II (still on the books)
- No. 37 — Briollay, France — Mayoral Decree by Mayor André Marchand, July 2018 (technically enforceable)
- No. 38 — New South Wales, Australia — NSW Wildlife Demonstrator Licence regulations (still on the books)
- No. 39 — Poland — PKP Intercity Transport Regulations (2005) (still on the books)
- No. 40 — Norway — Royal Proclamation by the King of Norway (1972) (still on the books)