Kibbey Wagner | August 14, 2025 | Florida Law
Florida is no stranger to strange. Not all the oddities come from headlines or internet jokes, though—some are written right into the law. And while many of these rules feel outdated or oddly specific, they were all enforceable at one point. A few still are.
Here are eight Florida laws that might make you pause and ask: wait, that’s real?
1. Confining Pregnant Pigs in Cages is Constitutionally Prohibited
In 2002, Florida voters passed a constitutional amendment—Article X, Section 21—that made it illegal to confine pregnant pigs in crates or enclosures so small they can’t turn around. The law includes exceptions for veterinary care and the immediate pre-birth period, but violations can carry a first-degree misdemeanor charge and fines of up to $5,000 per pig.
It’s specific, but it reflects a real push for animal welfare at the time, and it’s still in place today.
2. Public Entertainment Building Doors Must Open Outward or It’s a Felony
Florida Statute 823.06 requires that all buildings used for public entertainment, including theaters, opera houses, and music halls, have doors that open outward. If they don’t, it’s not just a building code issue. It’s a third-degree felony. The law dates back to 1891, after tragic theater fires in other states led lawmakers to take public safety more seriously.
3. You Have Six Months to Pick Up Your Dry Cleaning
Florida Statute 715.03 says dry cleaners and laundries must hold unclaimed clothing for six months before they can dispose of it. The shop has to give you written notice at the time of drop-off, and if you don’t reclaim your items by the deadline, they’re legally allowed to toss or donate them. It’s one of those laws that’s easy to overlook until your favorite jacket disappears.
4. Simulated Bullfighting Is a Criminal Misdemeanor
Under Florida Statute 828.121, even a staged or “bloodless” bullfight is a misdemeanor. That means no performances, exhibitions, or events that simulate bullfighting, regardless of whether animals are actually harmed. It’s an extension of the state’s animal cruelty laws, and it’s been on the books since 1971.
5. Fishing from Certain Bridges Is a Traffic Infraction
Florida law allows the Department of Transportation to ban fishing from certain state road bridges if it’s considered dangerous to traffic or public safety (i.e., may cause a car accident). If signs are posted and you ignore them, it’s a traffic infraction rather than a criminal charge. It’s one of the more unusual intersections between transportation law and fishing regulations.
6. Women Cannot Fall Asleep Under Hair Dryers at Salons
When it comes to weird Florida laws, many sources mention a law that makes it illegal for women to fall asleep under salon hair dryers and for salon owners to allow it. While the original statute is difficult to pin down, it’s often listed among Florida’s more obscure rules.
It likely originated from concerns about burns or overheating with older equipment, but it’s mostly a curiosity today.
7. Key West Chickens are Protected as a Municipal Sanctuary
In Key West, the free-roaming chickens are so integral to the local culture that they’re legally protected. City ordinances declare the area a bird sanctuary, where harming or removing any birds is unlawful. The birds are considered an integral part of the island’s cultural identity, and interfering with them can result in fines or other penalties under local animal protection laws.
8. Rolling Barrels Down Streets Is Prohibited in Pensacola
An old local Pensacola Ordinance may have prohibited rolling barrels down city streets, with fines varying based on the barrel’s contents. This oddly specific regulation likely originated from safety concerns about obstruction of traffic and public pathways, but the content-dependent fine structure makes it particularly unusual.
Contact Kibbey Wagner Injury & Car Accident Lawyers For Help Today
At Kibbey Wagner Injury & Car Accident Lawyers, we know Florida law inside and out. If you’re dealing with an unusual legal issue, a confusing ordinance, or just want clarity on your rights, reach out. Whether it’s dry cleaning, chickens, or something more serious, we’re here to help.
For more information, please contact the Stuart, Port St. Lucie, or Palm Beach Gardens personal injury law firm of Kibbey Wagner Injury & Car Accident Lawyers to schedule a free consultation today.
We proudly serve Martin County, St. Lucie County, Palm Beach County, and its surrounding areas in Florida:
Kibbey Wagner Injury & Car Accident Lawyers Stuart
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Stuart, FL 34994
(772) 444-7000
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1100 SW St. Lucie West Blvd. Ste 202
Port St Lucie, FL 34986
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