Did you know you can buy a property in some counties in Kentucky and Mississippi, but not alcohol? That’s because local prohibition laws are still in effect. Weird, right? You might have heard stories or perhaps experienced it yourself on the daily about some interesting residential rules for neighborhoods under a homeowners association (HOA). But you’ll be even more surprised that around the country, there are way wackier real estate laws in place that will make you scratch your head. Here are some of the little known ones:
Weird Real Estate Laws in the U.S.
No fences too tall
Privacy is important, but if you build your fence too tall, it may mean you’re doing it out of spite, hence the term “Spite Fence Law”. In California, for instance, if your neighbor puts up a fence that’s at least 10 feet high just to annoy you, whether it’s made of wood, cinder blocks, or bushes, you can sue them for private nuisance.
No pointed fence
Still on the topic of fences, unfortunately, you can’t live a white picket fence life in Scranton, Pennsylvania as this popular fencing style is against the law. Back in the late 1800s, there was an incident involving a horse-drawn carriage on a dirt road, which led the Scranton city council to ban fences with sharp points. Because of this, if you want to build a fence in your front yard in Scranton, you have to get it approved by the city council. They’ve been rejecting fences with sharp points or barbed wire for over 100 years now.
No DIY projects on Sunday
It’s Sunday morning, and you wanted to have a restful weekend, then suddenly there goes your neighbor’s loud home improvement project. What a bummer, right? Many states actually have laws limiting the use of home improvement tools on certain days, often banning them entirely on Sundays.
In New Jersey, New York, New Mexico, and Hawaii, you have to hold off on those projects on Sunday to keep the peace. New Jersey specifically bans house painting and roofing, Hawaii forbids using leaf blowers, and in Santa Fe, you can’t use your lawnmower on Sundays.
Squatters can legally take ownership of a home.
You might have heard of “Squat-to-Own” in California, where if someone lives in your property for five years and behaves like they own it—by paying property taxes, HOA fees, and other expenses—they can legally become the owners. So, it’s crucial to keep an eye on your vacant property and not let it sit unattended for too long.
Upholstered furniture is prohibited outdoors.
In Boulder, Colorado, couches, chairs, mattresses, chaise lounges, etc., you can’t have any indoor furniture or furniture not made for outdoor use in your yard or on your porch. This rule was put in place to prevent fires, as local college students were known for partying and setting furniture on fire. Since Boulder passed this law, other cities like Ames, Iowa, Lincoln, Nebraska, and Columbia, Missouri, have followed suit.
No rock or sand on your driveway.
In Walnut, California, it’s illegal to put dirt, sand, rocks, or cement on your property, as well as trash and dead animal carcasses. The ban on cement and rocks confuses many people, since using cement in backyards is a common, eco-friendly alternative to watering grass. This law is to stop people from turning their properties into dumps.
Burglar bars are prohibited from being installed outside your house.
If you’re moving to Ridgeland, Mississippi, keep in mind that you can’t put burglar bars on the outside of your windows. If you really want the extra security, you can install them on the inside, though they’re not the most attractive and they’ll keep you from opening the windows for fresh air. But, if your home already had burglar bars before 1996, you’re allowed to keep them.
These laws range from the quirky to the practical, often reflecting unique cultural or historical contexts. Any weird real estate laws in your area that are worth knowing? Share with us in the comments!
Sources
https://www.hometownstation.com/news-articles/the-oddest-real-estate-laws-in-california-430742
https://www.msevanslaw.com/7-strange-real-estate-laws-in-the-u-s/
https://www.quietwatersrealtygroup.com/blog/6-bizarre-real-estate-laws-across-the-us
