Las Vegas has bizarre laws, which in some cities and countries are considered everyday activities. This detailed guide covers the strangest laws in Las Vegas, which could quickly get you in trouble.

9 Bizarre Las Vegas Laws

1. Feeding Wild Animals

It’s illegal to feed wild animals in Las Vegas, in city parks, public plazas, and recreational facilities. In 2017, Las Vegas banned feeding pigeons, denying people the chance to recreate the Mary Poppins legendary scene. A new ordinance was introduced later on, which included other wild animals ranging from feral animals like rabbits, and community cats, to wild animals like mammals, birds, and fish. Failure to follow the law could land you a six months jail term or a $1,000 fine.

According to the ordinance, feeding wild animals can cause the following dangers:

• Cause public health concerns by increasing the chances of disease transmission between wild animals and people.
• A large concentration of American coots, geese and ducks can pollute the nearby backyards, athletic fields and waterways.
• Human food isn’t safe for wild animals and causes health complications to the animals.
• Feeding the animals causes familiarity, and the animals lose their fear of humans and even attack people.

2. Keeping Exotic Animals as Pets

Many people will find having an exotic animal as a pet very tempting and unique. Well, you can have that experience in Las Vegas. The Nevada pet ownership law allows individuals to own the following exotic pets:

• Tigers
• Monkeys
• Lions
• Alpaca
• Ostrich
• Ferrets
• Hedgehogs
• Parrots
• Toucans
• Bison
• Gerbils
• Elephants
• Zebra
• Camels
• Domesticated geese and ducks

3. Riding a camel on the highway

It’s illegal to ride a camel on the streets of Sin City – even though you can own a camel as a pet. The law dates back to the 1800s when camels were the primary mode of transport. Camels could transport loads and people across the Nevada deserts.

Nevada deeply appreciates the camel for its outstanding contribution to the city’s economic development in the 1800s. The city has dedicated May to Prehistoric Camel Awareness Month under Nevada law 236.075.

4. Picking up a taxi on the Las Vegas Strip

The Las Vegas Strip is one of the busiest spots in the city. Unfortunately, it’s illegal to hail or get dropped by a taxi on the Las Vegas Strip. The law applies to taxi drivers and even taxi booking applications or companies. Luckily the city has strategically installed designated spots for public transportation. The designated spots are conveniently located are easily accessible outside most of the casinos on the Las Vegas Strip.

5. Cat Fanciers

Las Vegas is known for its unique and extraordinary exhibitions and entertainment options. One such entertainment is a cat exhibition. Sin City is one of the few places in the world where cat ownership is defined in the constitution. According to the state constitution, a cat fancier is anyone owning or keeping adult cats participating in exhibition shows. The rules guiding the ownership and treatment of cats by Cat fanciers are found in the Las Vegas municipal code section 7.04.140. To be categorized as a cat fancier, one must take part in the city’s cat shows at least once annually. However, there are some exceptions for cats that are neutered or sprayed. Cat fanciers aren’t allowed to own more than six adult cats.

6. Hula hooping on the Freemont Street

Fremont is one of the most exciting places to visit and get the downtown Vegas. Unless you’re into hula hooping! Unfortunately, hula hooping is one of the street activities which has been banned on Fremont Street. Hula hooping is a fun activity, but it requires plenty of space which is hard to get in this area. According to the Las Vegas municipal code section 11.68.100, hula hooping is illegal for hula hoops more than 4ft in diameter. The law was in place in 2010 and also prohibits skateboarding down, unicycling, and skating on Fremont Street.

7. Pawning Dentures

Las Vegas has stringent laws associated with pawning. It’s illegal to pawn your dentures or even your relative’s dentures. Nevada has dedicated a whole chapter of regulation in the Nevada law 646.060 dictating the activities of pawn shops and users. You also can’t pawn anything when you are intoxicated.

8. Being Homeless in Las Vegas

In November 2019, Las Vegas introduced one of the most controversial laws in the world, making it illegal for one to be homeless in Sin City. The law was voted in by the City Council. Thus making it illegal for any to be found resting or lodging on the streets or sidewalks. Anyone violating the laws can get a six-month jail sentence and/or a $1000 cash fine. The law has attracted mixed reactions from the public. Many business owners and local residents support the ideas and goals behind the law but are unhappy with the mediocre efforts and support by law enforcement officers.

9. Alcohol Consumption

Las Vegas has one of the most legendary nightlife and entertainment scenes. However, the city has banned the consumption of alcohol in public places. The law doesn’t apply to bars, clubs, lounges, restaurants etc. Public places include a public parks, schools, and the streets. The law further bans having an open bottle of alcohol or drinking from it in a moving car, and it doesn’t matter if you are a passenger or a driver.

Other Weird Laws Las Vegas

Apart from the above ten laws, Sin City has other laws that are considered strange by many visitors and residents. Some of the strangest Las Vegas include:

1. It’s illegal to use bath salt. The type of bath salt banned in Las Vegas is synthetic cathinone, previously known as ‘legal high’.
2. Paying for sex is forbidden. While one can enjoy the services of an escort, they are not allowed to solicit sex or accept sex offers from their escorts.
3. Cursing on the Las Vegas Strip is illegal. According to the Las Vegas city municipal ordinance 10.40. 030, one isn’t allowed to swear and curse on the city’s public street or highway, including the Las Vegas Strip.
4. Recreational hunting in the Las Vegas Valley is illegal. However, it takes a few minutes on the road to leave Las Vegas and enter BLM land.