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Georgia, where the peaches are juicy, the tea is sweet, and the laws? Well, they’re cooked up with a little extra Southern spice. From outlawed ice cream cones to bans on tying giraffes to telephone poles, the Peach State has some legal oddities that’ll make even a Georgia lawyer say, “Bless your heart… that’s still a law?”
1. It’s Illegal to Eat Fried Chicken With Anything But Your Hands in Gainesville
Yes, really. A 1965 ordinance makes it illegal to eat fried chicken with a fork in Gainesville. It started as a joke, but technically… it’s enforceable. Finger lickin’ mandatory.
2. You Can’t Keep a Donkey in a Bathtub
Donkey bathtime is a no-go in Georgia. After a donkey was washed away during a flood in the 1920s, the state decided enough was enough.
3. No Ice Cream Cone in Your Back Pocket on Sundays
This law was originally aimed at horse thieves who lured away animals with sweet treats in their britches. On Sundays, even criminal creativity had to take a break.
4. It’s Illegal to Tie a Giraffe to a Telephone Pole
We’re not sure who this law was written for, but apparently someone thought it necessary. Giraffe owners, park your long-necked pals elsewhere.
5. You Can’t Say “Oh Boy” in a Women’s Restroom in Marietta
This peculiar ordinance bans the phrase “Oh Boy” in women’s public restrooms. Why? Your guess is as good as ours.
6. Cussing Over the Phone is Prohibited
In Georgia, using “obscene, vulgar, or profane” language on a phone call can be considered a misdemeanor. So maybe rethink that road-rage rant before you hit speaker.
7. You Can’t Keep an Ice Cream Truck Within 1,500 Feet of a School Without a Permit
That whimsical jingle could cost you a fine if you’re too close to school zones. Safety first, sprinkles second.
8. Carrying a Chicken Across the Road in Quitman is Illegal
Why did the chicken cross the road? In Quitman, it better not—unless you want to break city code.
9. You May Not Be Seen Drunk at a Cemetery
Drinking at your great aunt’s grave might sound poetic, but Georgia law says no. Mourning should be stone-cold sober.
10. Fishing With Bare Hands is Banned in Some Counties
“Catfish noodling” might be a Southern tradition, but certain counties prohibit hand-fishing. Use a rod—or risk a citation.
11. It’s Illegal to Keep More Than One Boat in Your Garage in Some Cities
Because apparently too many boats make the HOA very nervous. If you’re living that multi-yacht lifestyle, Georgia says tone it down.
12. Honking After 9 PM Near Sandwich Shops is Frowned Upon in Athens
Late-night hoagie honkers, beware. Disturbing the peace near eateries could cost you your sandwich and your dignity.
13. No Spitting on Sidewalks in Public Parks in Atlanta
Keep your germs to yourself. In Atlanta, sidewalk spitting is a public health no-no.
14. You Can’t Play Pinball if You’re Under 18 in Some Cities
In certain Georgia towns, kids under 18 are banned from pinball machines. The law was meant to prevent gambling addiction… or extreme flipper enthusiasm.
Georgia may be known for Southern hospitality, but its laws sometimes forget to mind their manners. Whether you’re outlawing giraffe parking or enforcing hand-only chicken policies, the Peach State sure knows how to keep things quirky. Just remember: in Georgia, even your back pocket dessert could land you in hot water.
The post 14 Strange (But True) Laws You’ll Only Hear About in Georgia appeared first on When In Your State.