7 Odd Things You Can Be Fined For
In a bad economy, some odd rules and ordinances are bringing in big money for small towns. Often these laws are old and have been ignored for years, but are being brought back out as a way to ticket and generate income for a town.
Read on to discover 7 bizarre things you can be fined for in small towns throughout the United States.
1. Language – Middleborough, Mass.
If you find yourself traveling to the small New England village of Middleborough Massachusetts, just outside of Boston, you may want to watch your language. Public swearing is punishable by a $20 fine in this town, and while a language ordinance may seem like an old law, it’s actually new on the books and was recently passed by the majority of the town’s residents.
2. Loud Partying – Boston, Mass.
A new city ordinance could make it unlawful to party like it’s 1999. The town is considering passing an ordinance that would allow the police to fine loud revelers $100 for a first offense and $300 for a second offense. The fine would be issued to the host of the party, making many Baystaters think twice about who their friends are.
3. Saggy Pants – Albany, Georgia
Whoever developed the trend of sagging your pants down past your butt had better not travel to Albany, Georgia. In 2010 an ordinance was passed making it unlawful to wear skirts or pants that sit more than 3 inches below the hips, exposing either skin or underwear. A first offense will cost you $25, but a second offense carries a must steeper penalty of $200. Can’t afford the fine? 40 hours of community service in appropriate pants will clear your name and settle your debt.
4. Long Lawns – Massapequa, NY
Apparently it was starting to look like a jungle in Massapequa New York since the town’s lawn police took to the city council to pass an ordinance imposing a fine on uncut lawns. A first offense carries a heafty $250 to $1,000 fine while a second offense is priced at $2,500 and the third offense a walloping $10,000 fine. The town claims that lawn maintenance is vital to maintaining home values and the health of the town’s residents.
5. Feeding Turkeys – Hainesport, NJ
Sure wild animals can pose a threat to human health and welfare, but nobody would put turkeys at the top of anyone’s danger list. Apparently the birds have become overly aggressive due to being fed by humans and are now posing a serious threat to the townspeople. Feeding the wild birds is punishable with a fine of up to $2,000.
6. Texting While Walking – Fort Lee, NJ
Turkey’s aren’t the only problem in New Jersey. Texting while walking is also difficult for the state’s residents that live in the small town of Fort Lee. Because of residents wandering off of curbs and into construction zones while texting on their phones, the town has passed an ordinance fining multi-taskers $85 for texting on the go.
7. Barking Dogs – Los Angeles, CA
The city of Los Angeles has had such a problem with barking dogs that the city passed a law fining owner’s between $250 and $1,000 for their barking dogs after appearing at a hearing before the city’s Department of Animal Services. The bark is considered a disturbance if it occurs for 10 minutes or more or for 30 minutes within a 3-hour window.
These weird fines create less than desirable living conditions for many people, but they also increase the town’s revenues. For those who are severely bothered by long grass, foul language or barking dogs, these odd fines may create a town that’s just to your liking.
