Weird Laws in Nevada

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4 min readNov 9, 2020

Even if you like playing by the rules and you refrain from shoplifting or running red lights, with some crazy laws still on the books, it’s a little hard to be a law-abiding citizen. Without being aware of it, you could be breaking one of the weird laws in Nevada. Also, if something goes the wrong way and you find yourself being arrested, you may want to figure out how bail bonds work in Nevada, and do it fast. Continue reading to find a list of strange state laws.

Weird Laws in Nevada
Weird Laws in Nevada

Weird Laws in Nevada

1. You can’t spray paint a shopping cart and keep it in your basement.

Apparently, this law prevents shopping car theft, as it’s hard to know where it was stolen from once it’s been spray painted.

2. You need a permit to place seats or benches on sidewalks or streets in Reno.

Originally, this law was meant to restrain homeless people populations in Reno. Nevertheless, you’re still able to place a bench in a strip of grass near a sidewalk, as it’s not really part of the sidewalk.

3. You must wear a face mask when walking the streets in Elko.

Although wearing a mask is necessary nowadays thanks to COVID, this law has been on since the influenza pandemic in 1918. So, this currently useful law has been part of Nevada state laws for a while.

4. You can’t ride a camel on the highway.

Even when riding camels on the city streets is allowed, camel traffic on highways became a serious problem in the 1800s, thanks to the lots of camels that were used to transport goods across the deserts of Nevada. Therefore, Nevada laws established that they were no longer allowed on the highways.

Nevada Laws
Nevada Laws

5. You can’t lie down on a sidewalk in Reno.

According to Nevada laws, lying down on a sidewalk isn’t allowed; however, you still have the chance to lie down right in the middle, just if you feel like doing it.

6. You can’t hula hoop on Fremont Street.

Just in case you were planning to do it, you should know you won’t be able to. According to Las Vegas laws, hula hooping’s been illegal since 2010, as it blocks pedestrian traffic and has an impact on surrounding businesses.

7. You can’t pawn your dentures in Las Vegas.

Even if used dentures aren’t quite appealing, Las Vegas laws have established that people aren’t allowed to offer them for sale in any way, as they’re considered medical devices that require a prescription. So, if you’re choosing your denture in Las Vegas, make sure to have your medical prescription at hand.

8. You aren’t allowed to kiss a woman in Eureka if you have a mustache.

Some laws banned men’s facial hair in the 1800s and 1900s due to religious reasons. Even if this is one of those weird laws in Nevada that are still on the books, it’s not enforced.

9. You can run a red light or stop sign if you’re driving the lead car in a funeral procession.

This law allows police officers to direct traffic during funeral processions, and Nevada is the only state where this is legal.

10. You can hang someone for shooting your dog.

It’s well-known that dogs are better workers than cats, and it’s been this way for a long time. Back in the 1800s, dogs were commonly used for protecting herds of sheep and cattle. This Nevada law establishes that harming a dog would lead to severe punishment, as these animals were more than just pets.

Although these weird laws in Nevada seem too weird to be true, they are totally real. While some of them are still in effect because they address certain circumstances that aren’t covered by conventional law, the truth is that most of them aren’t enforced anymore. However, it’s good to know that they exist. Better safe than sorry, right?

Nevada State Laws
Nevada State Laws

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