We’ve all heard the saying, “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas,” but have you ever thought it might be referring to something other than your nightly transgressions? Las Vegas is a unique world unto itself, and as such, it has its own peculiar laws.
With the help of our practical guide, you can be sure to follow the law and blend in with the community. You can thank us when you arrive home safely after reading about the funniest oddities that could land you in jail!
1. Feeding any wild animals is prohibited
Since November 2017, it has been forbidden to feed the pigeons, so Mary Poppins fans will have to recreate that song scene elsewhere. A $1,000 fine or six months in jail are the possible penalties.
I don’t know about you, but I don’t mind pigeons (and neither do these guys who worked to end the unfriendly ban), but I’m not willing to take a chance on getting arrested in order to take care of some of their hassle-free food requirements.
A more manageable $10 fine was added three years later, and the ban was expanded to cover all wild animals, including rabbits and neighborhood cats.
Although there are few connections between wildlife and human illness, this law was conceived with public health in mind.
However, there were worries about the overcrowding of pigeons in one specific parking lot that gave the impression of a casting call for a The Birds remake.
Save your inner Dr. Jane Goodall for a different town, in conclusion!
2. Exotic animals can be kept as pets
Following the theme of animal cruelty, the next absurd—and quite heinous—a law that makes our list is that you are permitted to keep a variety of exotic animals as pets.
You might encounter a tiger in a Las Vegas suite in real life as well as on The Hangover. It might be a legal reality if you associate with the wrong crowd.
There is a list of animals that you are actually permitted to own, including lions, elephants, camels, and zebras, to name a few. This reminds me of some pacanele online that are themed with animals.
You must move on to the following town if you want to domesticate giant toads, skunks, or foxes.
3. Riding a camel on the highway is prohibited
So even though it’s legal to keep a camel as a pet in Las Vegas, avoid getting into trouble with your steed by riding it on the road.
This statute dates back to a time when camels were used to transport cargo across the Nevada desert.
The outcome? The lawmakers saw to it that there was a reduction in camels.
4. Hailing a taxi on the Strip is prohibited
Taxi drivers in Las Vegas are prohibited from dropping off or picking up passengers along the Strip.
But don’t worry; you can still get around fairly easily because most casinos and hotels have designated locations where you can pick up your car service.
The same guidelines also apply to taxi booking apps.
5. Bath salt usage is prohibited
You’re likely traveling to Las Vegas for some opulent relaxation if you’re not there to party all night.
Many people might think of a bubbling bath with some fragrant bath salts as part of that. You mean we can’t do that, though?
This is a different kind, so don’t be alarmed. Phew!
We’re talking about synthetic cathinones found in bath salts, which were once considered a “legal high” and a more potent substitute for cocaine.
Due to their negative long-term effects, these were made illegal to own, consume, and sell in 2012.
6. Hula-hooping on Fremont Street is against the law
You already know how lively and bustling Fremont Street is in Las Vegas, where there are a ton of street performers.
You’ll also be aware of how crowded it can be, and hula-hooping requires a lot of room. It needs the kind of space that just doesn’t come easily on a busy street.
Due to the danger it poses to anyone walking nearby, the local council decided to make it unlawful to do so.
Go somewhere else to let off steam because the same law forbids unicycling, skating, and skateboarding on Fremont Street.
7. Pawning your dentures is prohibited
For all of you looking to make a quick buck, it is illegal in Las Vegas to put your grandmother’s (or even your own!) dentures up for pawning.
This law’s oddest feature is that it had to be written in legalese.
How many toothless grins did they have to endure before they realized things were out of hand? Who was purchasing them, too?
Don’t try to pawn anything while intoxicated.
You’ll be turned away, and perhaps after you’ve calmed down, you’ll discover that you actually like your dentures…, your wedding ring…, or any other one of your priceless possessions.
8. Being homeless is illegal
The criminalization of homelessness, which went into effect in November 2019, is one of the strangest laws in Las Vegas and one of the most contentious.
If you are caught “lodging” on sidewalks (or even just sitting or resting! ), you could spend six months in jail or pay a $1,000 fine, according to a city council-approved law.
Despite the fact that many locals and business owners agree with the rationale behind the law—human waste is too frequently found outside of people’s doors—they are alarmed by the lack of assistance offered.
It’s one thing to criminalize an action when it’s a preventable offense, but many people end up on the streets as a result of incredibly difficult circumstances, which are frequently connected to mental health problems and addiction.
The overwhelming number of people who find themselves without a roof over their heads in Sin City cannot be accommodated by the small number of local shelters that are available, nor can they be.
Many police officers agree with this viewpoint and prefer to concentrate on preventing violent crime rather than “arresting a community issue.”
9. In residential areas, it is illegal to rent out your place for a weekend
Think twice before renting out your house to some boisterous tourists on a wild weekend. You might have to pay fines of $1,000 per day.
Two years after the law went into effect in 2012, the first homeowner to receive one paid a whopping $29,000 in fines!
Rolling contracts may still function on a month-to-month basis, but anything less than that is prohibited.
Conclusion
You now know about the peculiar world of Las Vegas laws. With the help of this practical guide, you should be able to enjoy your trip while remaining on the right side of the law.
